| 1. Lights: check all are working including Number plate lamps, rear fog lamp(s), reverse light(s) and, if fitted, Front fog/spot lamps. Pay particular attention to the indicator bulbs: some modern cars have orange bulbs that over time fade if they start to show white they will fail even though they might still be flashing. Check, at the same time, for damaged lenses: a broken rear lamp allowing a white light to be seen will fail as will a damaged headlamp lens that affects the beam pattern. We can supply a complete bulb and fuse kit for any vehicle for £16.95 - phone to order. Fully legal high performace headlamp bulbs are available from us too.
2. Windscreen and wiper blades (Wiper blades including the rear if fitted ) they should provide a streak free wipe across the screen leaving no residue that obscures the drivers field of vision. As a general guide it is recommended that wiper blades are changed annually (why not do this each year a few weeks before your MOT.) We won the Auto Express award for supplying the best wiper blades. Also check the screen wash fluid is topped up and the windscreen washers work and aim correctly. Also make sure there is nothing obscuring your view inside the car such as air fresheners hanging from the rear view mirror. Windscreen (check for chips and scratches on the windscreen: Damage larger than 10mm will fail in the drivers line of vision whilst damage larger than 40mm will fail in the rest of the swept area.) A chip in the drivers line of vision only has to be bigger than 10mm for your windscreen to fail its MOT.
3. Number plates: for registered vehicles the plate must be: present; secure; not cracked, faded or obscured; be composed with correctly formed letters and spacing.
4. Mirrors: check for broken mirror glasses (even if these are only cracked it is an MOT failure. Replacement stick on glasses are available for most vehicles meaning you dont have to change the complete assembly.) We supply a full range of Mirror glasses and complete door mirrors (big savings against the dealers too) call us if you require.
5. Seat Belts and seats: 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 belt. The driver's and the front passengers seats must be secure and all seat backs must be securable in the upright position.If replacement seat belts are needed we can supply replacements for most vehiclles, give us a call to check availabilty..
6. Tyres: check tyre pressures (you know you should do it weekly...) and the tread depth as well as the general condition. The legal minimum tread depth for cars and vans up to 3500kgs gross vehicle weight and/or 8 seated passenger vehicles including driver is: A minimum of 1.6mm in a continuous band throughout the central three-quarters of the tread width, throughout the whole of the circumference (see illustration below).We supply a brilliant tyre inflater, it's powerfull and really easy to use and is complete with gauge.
7. Horn: check operation and that it is loud enough. Horns in stock if required at £14.95 - phone to order.
8. Doors: Both front doors must be operable from the inside and outside and all doors must latch securely. Tailgates, boot lids etc. All these items, including the tailboards and dropsides of trucks must be securable in the closed position
9. Fuel system: Any fuel leak will result in a fail. Check under the bonnet and throughout the run of the fuel line from the fuel tank to the engine. The fuel filler cap must fasten securely; the seal in the cap must not be torn, deteriorated or missing. There should be no other defect which could cause fuel to leak out. Locking fuel caps in stock and rubber fuel pipe if required.
10. Exhaust system and emissions: The exhaust system will fail the MOT if: Part of the system is missing or excessively deteriorated. A mounting is missing or damaged so it does not support the system. There is a major leak or the system is excessively noisy. Emissions: These are checked using specialized equipment, the details of the check depends on the year that the vehicle was first used on the road. Excessive smoking (checked visually) is a reason for failure. A good recommendation is to use a fuel system cleaner prior to taking the car for the MOT this will help reduce the CO2 emissions as well as cleaning out the fuel system and reducing smoke. Our 30-minute Engine Performance and Economy kit is a great way to reduce the emmisions, Add a new air filter too and this should be a sure way to reduce emmisions. If the emissions are high and the above has been done then it could be a CO2 (lambda) sensor or catalytic converter that is at fault.We supply lambda sensors and Catalytic converters for just about every vehicle, see our online catalogue.
11. Brakes: Inside the car: Anti-lock braking system (if fitted) warning lamp is checked for: function and sequence of operation. Footbrake- sufficient reserve travel on the footbrake; pedal rubber not worn to excess; correct operation of the servo assistance system Parking brake - This could be hand or foot operated. Check for reserve travel so that it doesn't reach the stops on application. The mountings will be checked for security and/or corrosion. Under bonnet checks - master cylinder and servo unit are checked for leaks with the engine on and the brakes applied; the 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.We supply a kit to make all your metal brake pipes. Check brake 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 hand brake are checked for efficiency and balance using specialised equipment.Our online brake disc catalogue shows your vehicles origional brake disc thickness - as a guide any wear of more 1.2mm will fail an MOT.For advice on the exact legal minimum brake disc thickness call us. If you need to change your discs you may want to think about upgrading to Rossini Performance brake discs.
12. Vehicle structure: Body condition and security: the body must not be so insecure or displaced so that it might lead to loss of control of the vehicle when driven, or be a danger to other road users; there must be no dangerous sharp edges or projections caused by corrosion or damage which is dangerous to other road users including pedestrians. Corrosion - A vehicle can fail with respect to corrosion for: excessive corrosion in a prescribed area, within 30cm of certain safety related components,e.g. brakes, steering, suspension, seat belt mountings etc. excessive corrosion not in a 'prescribed area', but which is likely to adversely affect the vehicle's braking or steering. Excessive corrosion can mean a hole or a significantly weakened structure. We can supply a comprehensive range of body panels - just call us or enquire online for a quote.
13. Steering: Inside the car checks: Steering wheel and steering column: steering wheel is in acceptable condition; steering wheel is securely attached to the steering shaft; upper bearings of the steering column are inspected for wear; Steering shaft is checked for excessive end float; The clamping bolts are all checked for security; split pins and locking nuts are also checked; free play in the steering is checked; All flexible couplings and universal joints are checked. Under bonnet checks: This varies vehicle to vehicle; some of these items cannot be observed from under the bonnet on some makes and models - security of the steering rack or steering box and its mounting's; play in steering joints; inspection of any other swivel joints which form part of the vehicles' steering system which can be readily inspected from under the bonnet.
Under vehicle checks: All the steering joints are inspected by the Tester whilst the steering is loaded by turning the steering wheel from side to side. Power steering systems are checked with the engine running ;The security of attachment of the steering rack or steering box is checked both with respect to the tightness of nuts and bolts, and structural cracking or corrosion of the vehicle chassis where it is attached; Whilst the vehicle stands on special swivel plates the wheels are turned from lock to lock and checked to ensure that the wheels and tyres do not foul either the structure of the vehicle or any brake pipes or hoses ;with the wheels jacked the wheel bearings are checked;As you would expect, Steering racks, wishbones, ball joints and wheel bearing kits are available for most vehicles - phone us if you need or enquire online.
Steering rack gaiters and front outer constant velocity joint boots are examined. If the gaiters are split we supply a kit where no parts need to be removed to replace! - saves lots of work or a big garage bill. We carry Constant velocity joints and a full range of complete drive shafts too. metal and/or rubber bushes are checked as are split pins, locking nuts and other locking or retaining devices which relate to steering components.. On some cars there will be rear wheel steering which is checked from beneath the car.
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