MOT basics for beginners

From their start in 1960, the MOT test has expanded and changed. Even the name is now a relic of the past. It was called the Ministry of Transport test and fell under the mandate of that government body. The test has moved under the mandate of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, away from what is now called the Department for Transport, but it has retained the name. Those earliest tests just checked the steering, brakes and lights of cars that were older than ten years old.

Modern MOT

The modern MOT test now examines all vehicles as they reach three years of age, and it looks at as many as twenty different parts of the vehicle, retaining the above three as perhaps the most important. MOTs must be taken at a registered testing centre, and the price is capped at £54.85.

Items checked

In the modern MOT, the items checked are: brakes, steering, lights, suspension, exterior of car, interior of car, emissions, seat-belts, windscreens, security of bonnet catch, petrol cap, number plate, wheels and tyres, mirrors, doors, fuel system, battery and wiring, the horn, and the body and structure of the car. It is a thorough test but it looks to certify roadworthiness, not the operation of the engine. It is important not to confuse an MOT with a service, which does check how well the car operates – and many people actually book an MOT in conjunction with a service to ensure a properly operating vehicle alongside their certificate.

Bargain hunting

Some testing centres offer large discounts, and these are perfectly legal. Do double check anyone offering too cheap a test, but it is not uncommon for discounted MOTs to serve as a temptation to get people to try out the business’s customer service so they can see how fast, efficient and polite they are.

Must MOTs be done in my hometown?

If someone is away on business when the MOT falls due, it’s possible to take the vehicle to any reputable testing centre that has the right blue and white MOT logo mounted clearly on their wall. For someone who is, for example, in Brighton when the car’s MOT falls due and there’s no chance to be home before the expiry date, make sure to book your MOT in Brighton, in order to avoid legal constraints. Avail yours from KAP Motors and put your mind at ease.

The editorial unit