First of all, what does it stand for?
Well, first a little bit of history. MOT is an abbreviation of the Ministry of Transport. The Governmental department is in charge of regulating transport systems in the UK, as well as taking care of all things road-safety. Consequently, it was the Ministry of Transport who first initiated the MOT test in 1960.
OK, but what purpose does an MOT actually serve?
Primarily, an MOT is a way of attempting to improve road safety. An MOT will check whether your car is safe enough to be on the road so as not to put you or other drivers in any increased danger, and also to check whether it’s environmentally friendly enough to be compliant with UK regulations.
And who needs to have one?
When a car becomes more than three years old, an annual MOT is a legal requirement. For most drivers this means they’ll have to have one yearly; this is particularly true of first-time drivers who rarely drive new vehicles. So it all depends on the age of your car essentially.
What actually gets checked during an MOT?
Brakes
Electrics
Body
Steering and suspension
Seat belts
Tyres
Battery
Exhaust
Registration plate
How much will it cost?
They can vary in price but the government places a cap on the costs so the maximum it should come to is £54.85. Remember though, driving without a valid MOT certificate could cost you up to £1000.
How can I make sure I don’t fail?
The best thing you can do to prepare for an MOT is to stay on top on your car maintenance throughout the year. Keep on top of any work that needs doing, don’t let small issues with your car go untreated for long periods of time, and generally keep the car well maintained to make sure you don’t fail your next MOT.
Ready for your next MOT? Take a look at how much you could save by doing your next MOT with HPL Motors.