Why the MOT Test is Important!

The government of the UK is very strict when it comes to road safety. As part of their regulations, they introduced the MOT test. Every citizen living in the country who owns a car needs to get an MOT passing certificate for their car. The certificate can only be acquired by passing the MOT. So, what exactly is this MOT and how does it work? These are the most frequently asked questions, especially from new drivers and vehicle owners.

About the MOT Test

It is an annual test introduced to ensure that the cars being driven on the road are safe. Every vehicle that is three years or older needs to appear for the MOT and pass it. You can attempt a Mot Newport test by scheduling it with an authorised test centre. The major purpose of introducing this test was to minimise road accidents.

It has been found that a majority of road accidents occur because of poorly maintained vehicles. The MOT urges people to pay heed to their vehicle’s maintenance so the accidents are avoided. This is one of the main reasons why MOT was introduced.

What if I don’t have an MOT passing certificate? If your car is older than three years and you don’t have a valid MOT certificate then you will be fined. It is illegal to drive a car in the UK without passing an MOT test. Not conforming to this rule will also cost you a few points on the license along with a hefty point. You are advised to get the MOT done in case your current passing certificate has expired.

Categories of the Test Result

The two primary categories of an MOT test result are pass and fail. These are further divided depending on the severity of faults or damages your car has. If your car fails an MOT with major and dangerous faults, you will not be allowed to take the vehicle with you unless the repairs are done. You can get the repairs done at the test centre itself. If you wish to take the car to another garage, you will have to tow the vehicle if the current MOT has also expired.

You will be able to drive the car if the current MOT is valid but the MOT test you just gave resulted in failure with minor faults. This means your vehicle is safe to drive but a few adjustments and repairs are necessary.

For vehicles passing the test, they either pass it directly with no issues or with minor and negligible issues. For the latter one, you will be issued a warning notice. This indicates that your vehicle is fine at the time of the test but a few issues may arise in the coming days.

Components Checked During the Test

The list of vehicle parts and systems checked during the MOT test is long but here are a few things that are primarily checked.

• Tyres and wheels

• Exhaust system

• Horn, steering wheel, and suspension system

• Brakes

• Battery and engine

• Windows, doors, seatbelts, lights, and indicators

The MOT test is a crucial part of the UK's road safety regulations. You should get your MOT test scheduled with an authorised test centre in case yours is due.