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Mot Checklist 2024

20/03/2024

Your MOT checklist: preparing for your MOT

What is an MOT test?
Does my vehicle need an MOT test?
How can you prepare for your MOT?

Knowing what to expect from your MOT will help you avoid any nasty surprises when it comes to your annual test. Use our guide as your MOT checklist to help you spot any potential problems with your vehicle.

If you’re looking to sell your vehicle after its MOT test, use our online valuation tool to find out how much your car is worth.

What is an MOT?

First introduced in the 1960s, an MOT is a compulsory annual inspection that ensures vehicles meet both road safety and environmental standards. Your MOT is usually carried out alongside a service, which is in place to keep your car in peak condition throughout the year.

During the test, thorough checks are made across your vehicle, from your seatbelts to the fuel system. Your exhaust emissions are also inspected, making sure your vehicle adheres to environmental standards.

Does my vehicle need an MOT test?

There are MOT exceptions: for example, if your vehicle is brand new, the first test isn’t needed until the 3rd anniversary of its registration. If your car, van or motorcycle is over 40 years old, then it doesn’t need an MOT test, either. This is as long as there’s been no substantial changes to the vehicle in the last 30 years.

How can I prepare for my MOT?

Taking the time to carry out pre-MOT checks before your test date makes sure that your vehicle has the best chance possible at passing. Before you book your car in, go over each area of the car, and do quick checks to confirm that everything is working perfectly.

Your mechanic will follow a thorough checklist, inspecting each area of your car;

Tyres: your tyre speed, depth and tread
Brakes: your brake pedals, pads, discs and fluid
Steering: your steering and suspension
Lamps and lighting: your front, rear and exterior lights, alongside internal lights
Seatbelts: your seats, seatbelts and restraints
Body and structure: your registration plate, dashboard and body
Exhaust: your exhaust pipe and emissions
Driver’s view: your wing mirrors, rear-view mirrors and windows

Tyres

Your individual tyre tread depth, type, size and pressure are all tested as part of your MOT, alongside the alignment of your tyres. While you won’t fail your MOT if your tyres have low pressure, it’s considered best practice to keep them inflated, particularly if you regularly drive long distances: poorly inflated tyres reduce your fuel efficiency, and damages your tyres more quickly . As part of your pre-MOT checks, use a pressure gauge to check your tyre pressure, and inflate them if needed.

How to check your tyre tread depth

Your tyre tread depth needs to be 1.6mm for you to drive legally. If your tread depth is lower, you’ll fail your MOT, and your tyres will have to replaced.

To check your tread depth, take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread. If you are unable to see the outer band of the coin, this can mean that your tyre is above the legal limit of 1.6mm. If you’re able to see the outer band of the coin, then it is likely that your tyre is below the legal limit.

Brakes

Next up on your MOT checklist should be your brakes. Brakes are one of the most important safety features on a vehicle, so doing regular checks to ensure that they are working correctly is important. Your mechanic will carry out a range of tests to make sure your brakes are in good condition, react quickly and help you stop in a straight line.

If your brakes feel spongy when you’re pressing on them, there could be air in the hydraulic system. This may mean that you need to change your brake fluid as part of your MOT: manufacturers usually recommend your brake fluid is changed every two years.

Steering and suspension

Issues with your steering wheel can be harder to check before your MOT. If you notice that there’s excessive movement or knocking noises when you’re moving the steering wheel from side to side, there could be an issue with the suspension.

Similarly, one of the best ways to check your suspension is to make a visual assessment. Lean your body weight on your vehicle and check how high it bounces: if your vehicle bounces highly or excessively, your suspension system might need replacing.

Registration plate

As part of your vehicle body checks, your registration plate will be inspected. It's crucial that your registration plate is legible not only when you’re driving, but also for your MOT test. The reg plate must have the correct type of facing and must not be dirty, broken or missing altogether.

Headlights and indicators

Check your front and rear lights as well as your main beam and dipped, hazard lights and indicators before taking your vehicle for its MOT test. If you find that any aren’t working, it’s a good idea to get them fixed before your MOT. This simple pre-MOT check could save you the hassle – and extra costs - of failing your test.

Seats and seatbelts

Another pre-MOT check you can undertake before your test is a check on your seat and seatbelts. Try adjusting your front seats forwards and backwards to check that they are working correctly.

Your seatbelts should clip into the buckles easily and be the right length to securely keep you safe. To check your seatbelts are in good working order, pull sharply on each one to check that they can react quickly if you need to brake suddenly. Any cuts or fraying to your seatbelts will be an automatic MOT failure.

What documentation do I need for my MOT?

If this is your car’s first MOT, or if you have a new registration number, you will need to have your vehicle logbook (V5C/ V5) to hand. If your car has locking wheel nuts, you’ll need to let your mechanic know where your locking wheel nut key is, too.

MOT FAQs

The newest MOT rules introduced new parts of your car to be checked during the testing process. These include closer inspections to your tyres and brakes.

It’s important that your vehicle has been cleared of any clutter, as well as having a clean interior and exterior. While you won’t be failed, excessively dirty cars can be turned away from the MOT by the examiner.

If your vehicle has failed its MOT, you are only permitted to drive your car to be repaired, or to a pre-arranged MOT appointment, and it must be roadworthy.

The most common failures concern lamps, reflectors and other electrical equipment not working properly. Failed vehicles are also likely to have suspension issues, thanks to uneven road surfaces that mean car suspensions take the brunt of bumps.