The MOT scheme is primarily a road safety measure designed to ensure as far as possible that all cars motorcycles and light goods vehicles more than 3 years old:
1. Are properly maintained
2. At least once a year are examined at an authorised MOT test station to make sure that they comply with certain important requirements of the law
Remember- the test certificate relates only to the condition of the testable items at the time of the test and should not be regarded as evidence of their condition at any other time; nor should it be accepted as evidence of the general mechanical condition of the vehicle.
Your Car and the MOT
If you have a car that is more than 3 years old it will need an MOT test each year to ensure that it meets at least the minimum road safety and environmental standards.
The test relates only to the condition of the testable items at the time of the test. It should not be regarded as evidence of the condition of the items tested at any other time nor should it be taken as evidence of the general mechanical condition of the vehicle
The test
MOT's are undertaken at garages authorised by the Vehicle Inspectorate to carry out the tests. They are easily identifiable by the blue, 3 triangle MOT Sign.
What items are examined in the MOT test?
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment
- Front and rear position lamps, End Outline Marker Lamps and registration plate lamps
- Stoplamps
- Rear Fog Lamps
- Direction indicators and hazard warning devices
- Rear reflectors
- Audible Warning (Horn)
- Headlamps
- Headlamp aim
- Electrical Wiring and Battery
Steering and Suspension
- Steering control
- Steering system
- Power steering
- Suspension - general
- Front suspension, wheel bearings and driveshafts
- Rear suspension and rear wheel bearings
- Shock absorbers
Brakes
- Parking Brake Control
- Hand operated brake control valves
- Service Brake Control
- Anti-lock braking and Electronic Stability systems
- Mechanical brake components
- Braking Systems and Additional Braking Devices
- Brake Performance
- Tyres Including Roadwheels
Tyres
- Roadwheels
- Seat Belts
Seatbelts
- Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS)
- Body Structure and General Items
Vehicle Structure, Body and General Items
- Seats and Doors
- Registration Plates and VIN Details
- Load Security, Spare Wheel and Carrier
- Speed Limiters
- Towbars
- Speedometers
- General condition of vehicle -
- Driving Controls (Class 5 Only)
- Glazing (Class 5 Only)
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions
- Exhaust System
- Fuel System
- Exhaust Emissions - Spark Ignition
- Exhaust Emissions - Compression Ignition
Drivers View of The Road
- View to Rear
- Wipers and Washers
- Windsreen
- Bonnet
Motor Tricycles and Quadricycles
- Lighting
- Motorcycle Derived Steering/Suspension Systems
- Brakes
- Tyres and Road Wheels
- Seat Belts
- Body and Structure
- Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions
- Drivers View of the Road