Under bonnet checks
master cylinder and servo unit are checked for leaks with the engine on and the brakes applied
servo unit will be checked to ensure it is operating correctly
visible metal or flexible brake pipes will be checked for corrosion, condition, fouling or leaks
Under vehicle checks
flexible brake pipes and any other metal brake pipes visible beneath the car are checked
discs and drums (external only) checked for condition and contamination
brake back plates and caliper securing devices are checked for condition and security
condition of the brake pads will be checked if visible
The assistant operates the handbrake and the condition of the linkages and/or cables is checked.
on some vehicles there will be a brake compensating valve beneath the car which will need to be inspected for fluid leaks
Brake performance check
The performance of the front and rear brakes and handbrake are checked for efficiency and balance using specialised equipment.
Windscreen
Includes all items affecting the driver's view of the road: the condition of the windscreen, the wipers and washers.
Chips or cracks in the windscreen directly in front of the driver, in the area swept by the wiper blades, are acceptable if they are less than 10mm in diameter. In the rest of the swept area, up to 40mm diameter damage is acceptable.
Official stickers (any used in connection with road enforcement, security or crime prevention matters) that are not readily removable are only a reason for rejection if they restrict the driver's view.
Washers and wipers
operation
extent of area swept by the wipers
condition of the wiper blades.
Mirrors
Not all mirrors on all vehicles are subject to Test, depending on the age of the vehicle. Those mirrors which must be checked must be
secure
visible from the driver's seat
not distorted or damaged so as to seriously impair the driver's view to the rear.
Suspension
Under bonnet checks
upper suspension joints
any other suspension components which can be inspected from beneath the bonnet
Under vehicle checks
Applies to the front and rear suspension
no split pins or nuts missing, no components broken or excessively damaged
road springs are checked for condition
all suspension joints are checked for condition
shock absorbers must not leak and must be secure (the vehicle will be 'bounced' by the Tester to check that they damp the springs adequately).
The suspension is checked for wear by the assistant applying loads in various ways with the wheels jacked up whilst the Tester observes the result from beneath the vehicle.
Note: There are numerous different suspension systems, and the specific nature of any examination will depend to a large extent on the design of the suspension system.
Under vehicle checks
- flexible brake pipes and any other metal brake pipes visible beneath the car are checked
- discs and drums (external only) checked for condition and contamination
- brake back plates and caliper securing devices are checked for condition and security
- condition of the brake pads will be checked if visible
- The assistant operates the handbrake and the condition of the linkages and/or cables is checked.
- on some vehicles there will be a brake compensating valve beneath the car which will need to be inspected for fluid leaks
Brake performance check
The performance of the front and rear brakes and handbrake are checked for efficiency and balance using specialised equipment.
Windscreen
Includes all items affecting the driver's view of the road: the condition of the windscreen, the wipers and washers.
Chips or cracks in the windscreen directly in front of the driver, in the area swept by the wiper blades, are acceptable if they are less than 10mm in diameter. In the rest of the swept area, up to 40mm diameter damage is acceptable.
Official stickers (any used in connection with road enforcement, security or crime prevention matters) that are not readily removable are only a reason for rejection if they restrict the driver's view.
Washers and wipers
- operation
- extent of area swept by the wipers
- condition of the wiper blades.
Mirrors
Not all mirrors on all vehicles are subject to Test, depending on the age of the vehicle. Those mirrors which must be checked must be
- secure
- visible from the driver's seat
- not distorted or damaged so as to seriously impair the driver's view to the rear.
Suspension
Under bonnet checks
- upper suspension joints
- any other suspension components which can be inspected from beneath the bonnet
Under vehicle checks
Applies to the front and rear suspension
- no split pins or nuts missing, no components broken or excessively damaged
- road springs are checked for condition
- all suspension joints are checked for condition
- shock absorbers must not leak and must be secure (the vehicle will be 'bounced' by the Tester to check that they damp the springs adequately).
The suspension is checked for wear by the assistant applying loads in various ways with the wheels jacked up whilst the Tester observes the result from beneath the vehicle.
Note: There are numerous different suspension systems, and the specific nature of any examination will depend to a large extent on the design of the suspension system.
Seat belts
Most vehicles after 1965 must have seat belts. Irrespective of that requirement, all seat belts fitted to any vehicle must be inspected for:
- security of seat belt mountings and locking stalks
- security and operation of the locking/release mechanism
- condition of webbing
- retraction of the be
