MOT Test

January 27, 2023 by S4LadminPARC

An MOT is required by law on most vehicles, so it’s important to make sure it passes. Of course, you need professionals to carry out the test and any work needed to ensure it doesn’t fail. However, here are just a few things you can do to minimise the chances of a failure.

What You’ll Need:

The steps we go over are mostly just checks, however you may need a few things. You might want to get some cleaning equipment, screen wash, engine oil, lightbulbs and maybe even new tyres. A twenty pence piece might also benefit you. Finally, you’ll need to find a reliable garage to carry out the MOT after you’ve made all the checks.

How Long It Will Take:

Preparing for an MOT won’t take much time. Put aside 1 hour before your test to carry out these checks.

How Much It Will Cost:

Most of the things we look at are just checks. If you have to do all of the things on the list, it might set you back around £100 or maybe even more. Screen wash and bulbs are relatively cheap, whilst the price of engine oil, fuel and tyres will differ car to car. Most vehicles that are kept in reasonably good order won’t require more than £20 worth of supplies to get MOT-ready.

Pre MOT-Checks

1. Keep Your Car Clean

Okay, you won’t fail your test because your car is dirty or cluttered. However, ensuring there are no marks on your windscreen that affect the drivers view is important. Also, your registration plate needs to be legible, so make sure it is cleaned prior to the MOT.

2. Look For Broken Bulbs

Lights are one of the most common reasons for failing an MOT test. Simply check headlights, break lights and other lights by turning on your vehicle and getting somebody to look for you. If you need lights changing, you can do them yourself or inform the garage beforehand and have these sorted out.

3. Check Your Tyres

Tyres are an important part of the MOT test and crucial to making your car roadworthy. The tread depth should be 1.6mm to ensure there’s enough grip and to make sure you are not breaking the law. You can check this using the 20p test. If your tread depth exceeds this, then your vehicle will fail the test. Don’t panic as this is fairly common, check out our other blog on what to do if your car fails the MOT. If you don’t know how to change tyres, then the garage will most likely be able to change them for you.

4. Top It Up

If you’ve ran out of screen wash, your vehicle might fail the test. Furthermore, a garage might turn you away if you don’t have enough fuel and engine oil to complete the test. So, make sure you’ve topped these up before you take it in.

5. Check Your Windscreen

Your windscreen is important as it has to be in a good condition to drive safely. If you have any marks, scratches or chips that are bigger than 40mm, then the vehicle will fail. Also, your windscreen wipers need to be in working order so they can effectively clear your view. If they look a bit worse for wear, then they may need replacing before the MOT.

Get In Touch With PARC Today

Is your MOT is due? Then contact our garage today. If your car is experiencing any of the above problems, inform us before the assessment and we can assist in getting them fixed. We can help get your car up to passing standards and ensure it is roadworthy. To keep your car in top condition, make sure you keep up with regular servicing too.

September 23, 2021 by S4LadminPARC

It’s time for that dreaded MOT test again. It seems like yesterday you had your last. Unfortunately, a lot can change in a year, so it’s important to keep an eye on your vehicle to prepare for your MOT. Failing your MOT isn’t abnormal, so there are measures in place to get your car ship-shape and back on the road.

What If I Fail My Mot?

If you fail your MOT, you’re limited in what you can do until you rebook and pass your test. Driving without a valid MOT certificate can void your insurance if you’re in an accident and you risk incurring impressive fines. You’re also not able to park on the street without a valid certificate. You can be fined (again) and risk having your car towed away!

Can You Get Your Vehicle Retested After Failing Your MOT?

Absolutely! Otherwise, no one would be on the road. Your vehicle will be assessed and you’ll be notified of any repairs you need before you can retest. You’d then qualify for a partial retest for free or a reduced rate, depending on the criteria.

criteria For Retesting

If you leave your vehicle at our garage for repairs and have a partial retest within 10 days, you won’t have to pay. For minor grievances with items like mirrors, steering wheels and registration plates, you’ll also quality for a partial retest if you get them repaired the next day. In any other circumstances, you will have to pay for a retest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you appeal the results of your MOT?

Yes, provided you haven’t committed to any repairs. You can send a form to the DVLA within 14 days of your test result to appeal the decision. Legally you won’t be able to drive your assessed vehicle during this period, so keep that in mind.

How long can you drive without an MOT?

The technical answer? As long as you want. The realistic answer? It’s illegal, so we don’t recommend it. It’s dangerous and negligent to drive without a valid MOT certificate, for both yourself and others on the road. This is especially true if you drive after failing an inspection. A fault with your car could have disastrous consequences and lead to more expensive repairs down the line.

How much can you be fined for not having a valid MOT certificate?

Another reason you shouldn’t drive with an MOT certificate is because the fines are hefty. You can incur fines upwards of £1,000. Your vehicle may also be inspected on the spot, which could unearth underlying problems that result in extra fines. If you fail your MOT, get retested as soon as possible. It’ll be cheaper in the long run and it’s just not worth the drama.

Failing Your MOT & Retesting At Pontypool

At Pontypool Accident & Repair Centre, you can book your MOT and have your car serviced to check for any issues that will flag during your MOT. We offer premium advice to keep your car on the road. To speak to one of our experts and book a test, contact us today.

June 28, 2021 by S4LadminPARC

Whether you have been driving for years or if you’re new to taking to the road, you should be aware of your vehicle’s annual MOT test and what is involved. Knowing more about the specific components of your car that are checked will make you more informed about repairs leading up to your assessment.

The law in the UK states that once a car is 3 years old it must be tested every single year to ensure that it still meets the legal road safety requirements and environmental standards. Short for the Ministry of Transport, an MOT can only be carried out by authorised and certified professionals that can be easily identified by the familiar blue and white sign.

The inspection carried out involves multiple checks around your car that range from checking your lights, brakes, exhaust system, fuel system and all safety features. However, they do not cover checking your clutch, gearbox or the condition of your engine.

With as much as 40% of MOT tests failing the first time round due mostly to minor faults, it is important to understand exactly what is checked so you may be able to repair these issues beforehand. Typically, we see a few common mistakes people make before signing their car in for inspection.

Issues With Your License Plate

This can be anything from being too dirty to an illegal type face or missing completely. As a legal requirement your registration plate must be clearly visible and meet the requirements of the DVLA.

Screen Wash & Other Fluids Not Topped Up

Vital to the proper running of your car, the screen wash, oil, power steering, brake fluid & coolant should all be at the appropriate levels prior to your inspection. This can prevent very simple failures from happening.

Headlights & Indicators

Easily checked by yourself before your inspection, if your car’s headlights or brake lights are faulty then let us know when booking in your test to prevent a failed inspection. Our mechanics can replace the broken lights prior to your test to ensure they pass the assessment.

Warning Lights

A later addition to the MOT checks are warning lights on your dashboard. If any of these show up, you should have your vehicle checked by a professional as soon as you can. If any are lit up before your test, then this will cause your vehicle to fail.

By simply checking these things beforehand, you give your car the very best chance of passing with the components that are within your control. Of course, our team of mechanics can assist with any work that needs to be done prior to your test.

Components Checked In An MOT

Primarily the Inspection is put in place to make you and other road users as safe as possible. This is why the tests have such a clear focus on safety mechanisms and components both internally and externally.

Mechanical Components

Handbrake

Suspension

Fuel, Oil & Other Fluids

Exhaust

Handbrake

Suspension

Fuel, Oil & Other Fluids

Exhaust

Safety Features

Windscreen Wipers

Seatbelts & Seats

Horn

Windscreen Wipers

Seatbelts & Seats

Horn

Failing Your MOT

If your vehicle fails its MOT, the test centre will issue you a VT3O Certificate that explains why. You must repair these failure areas and schedule a partial MOT retest with us before you may drive your vehicle again.

Contact Us For More Information On MOT Tests In Pontypool

February 18, 2020 by S4LadminPARC

Why oh why do we delay in booking our MOT test in Pontypool? Nothing good, can come from delaying the booking of your car’s MOT test. And if you have waited until the last moment, then you could be fined for being late if it then fails.

Why Take Your MOT Test Early

If you have less than 30 days until your MOT expires, you can take the test and keep your old expiration date. Getting your MOT done early gives you a lot of choices if your car doesn’t pass and you need time to get the repairs done. If you’ve kept up with your car’s maintenance, there’s a fair chance it’ll move.

Getting your car checked early allows you to make the necessary repairs, then re-test while staying within the appropriate renewal timeframe. The benefit of having a garage you can trust to conduct your MOT and any necessary repairs is that if your car is ready for a re-test by the end of the next working day, your re-test is usually free.

What Happens If I Fail The MOT

Did you know that even though the MOT hasn’t expired, you can still drive the vehicle? But, if the car is defective, you might be putting yourself in grave danger. If you cause an accident as a result of driving a faulty car, you cannot claim ignorance of the issue and will be held responsible. It’s written in black and white on your MOT test certificate for everyone to see!

How Do I Know My MOT Expiry Date

You are basically waiting for a fine if you are driving with an expired MOT licence. Fines of up to £1000 will be imposed as a result of your bad decision. In certain cases, your auto insurance could be invalid as well, putting you in significant legal trouble and resulting in points on your licence. If you are pulled over on the first day of your license’s expiration, you will be able to escape a fine if you are on the way to get your MOT or to the garage for repairs.

Can I Appeal An MOT Fail

The findings of a failed MOT test can be appealed to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). If you contact them within 14 days of the exam, they will schedule an appointment for you. Repairs should be postponed before the appeals process is concluded. For the record, in 2017, 48% of requests were approved, so there’s a chance for you here.

MOT Pontypool

Are you looking to book a MOT Pontypool? Then look no further than PARC Ltd. Established since 1999, our garage in South Wales has been performing MOTs for motorists across the region for 20 years. It is a legal requirement to submit your car for a check if it is over three years old.