MOT

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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!

MOT certificate with spanners

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.

woman inspecting car engine with goggles

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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Often when we think about vehicle maintenance there are 2 things that are synonymous with looking after your car and that’s MOT testing & servicing. However these two parts of maintenance differ in many ways. Both important to keeping your car or van in good condition, we’ll break down the key differences here.

Do you know what happens during a vehicle service or MOT? Due to being a legal requirement, many customers schedule their car in for an MOT without understanding what that entails.

What Happens During An MOT Test?

In the United Kingdom, after a vehicle reaches the age of three years, it is required to be tested annually to verify that it continues to fulfil legal road safety and environmental criteria. An MOT (Ministry Of Transport), may only be performed by approved and recognised specialists who wear the iconic blue and white sign.

Multiple checks surrounding your automobile are carried out, including lights, brakes, exhaust, gasoline, and other safety features. They do not, however, include the inspection of your clutch, gearbox, or engine.

The test guarantees that the vehicle is safe to drive, but it does not guarantee that it is performing at its best. That’s because the MOT test only looks at what’s ‘safety critical’ in your car, not the car or van’s overall health. While the MOT test covers items like brakes, lights, tyres, and seatbelts, it does not examine things like your engine. That’s when a service comes in handy.

mechanic performing MOT test on vehicle

Vehicle Servicing Explained

A service is a vehicle examination based on your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations that maintains your car’s reliability, safety, and fully functional. Both a MOT test and a service are comparable in that they both check things like tyres, brakes, and seatbelts.

Having your automobile maintained on a regular basis can ensure that it runs better, smoother, and more reliably in the long term. Servicing your automobile helps to make your vehicle more efficient, which means reduced operating expenses and less repair fees.

Interim Services

Our interim automobile service involves a thorough inspection of numerous key components to guarantee that your vehicle is safe to drive. We also replace items and top off fluids, such as engine oil and oil filters.

Full Service

On top of the intermediate service, a complete service includes several more detailed inspections. In addition to the vehicle inspections and fluid top-ups performed during the intermediate car service, we also replace many of the fluids with new ones to ensure that your car runs smoothly. We change air filters based on mileage and vehicle usage, as well as do extra coolant/antifreeze strength checks and top-ups, clutch fluid, gearbox fluid, and axle oil.

MOT & Vehicle Service Misconceptions

While frequent servicing is suggested to maintain your vehicle in excellent working order, unlike a MOT, an annual service is not a legal obligation nor a need for motor insurance. However, if you believe you’ll save a few dollars by deferring your repair, you may wind up paying a lot more later if your automobile requires costly remedial work that might have been avoided if identified early during your service. Skipping a service is a waste of money.

While the MOT test certificate is valid for a year, the MOT tester may only make decisions based on the vehicle’s condition on the day of the test. In a year, a lot may change to your car’s state, so you can’t rely on the MOT certificate to ensure its safety. Regular inspections and maintenance, such as checking tyre pressure and condition, topping up oil and fluid levels, and replacing blown bulbs, are all necessary to keep you safe on the road.

Basic road safety and environmental criteria are met when a vehicle receives a MOT pass certificate. Because the MOT tester is not allowed to dismantle any components on the vehicle, the test does not reveal its mechanical condition.

Contact Us For More Information On Car Servicing In Pontypool

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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.

MOT test centre logo icon

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.

red and yellow fault lights showing in car speedometer

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

Safety Features

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

Get In Touch With Us Today

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PARC Ltd have been in the industry for over 20 years and perform quality MOT tests Pontypool. Surprisingly, many of our customers often ask us what these are and what it involves, so we’re here to tell you more about them.

What Are MOT Tests?

A MOT test is a yearly 60-minute examination that all vehicles and motor vehicles must have to ensure they are safe for the road. They are measured in terms of performance, safety and whether the emissions meet UK regulations. All aspects on the vehicle are tested to be confirmed they are in full working order. If they aren’t, your local garage or us at PARC Ltd will make the necessary improvements. Once these are complete, another MOT test is done to pass the vehicle and allow it back on the roads.

Driving with an expired MOT test will result in a £1000 fine and your insurance could be cancelled, so we recommend booking your next MOT as soon as your current once passes. It may also be worth making it a week before it runs out as you never know how your circumstances could change over a year. To book with us, call the PARC garage.

Early MOT Booking

It is often found that early MOT booking will not only give you time to get any possible repairs done but will also ensure you on time so there is less stress to quickly get your car checked. Also, if you are within 30 days of the renewal date, you can keep the original renewal date, instead of it being made earlier for the following year.

Even if you maintain your car throughout the year, general wear and ear isn’t avoidable so issues can still arise. Well looked after vehicles do tend to pass first time but it is always good to be on the safe side because of the inconvenience failing can bring.

Appealing MOT Tests Pontypool

Many people choose to go to an untrustworthy garage for their services, so they need to know about appealing MOT tests Pontypool. The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and DVA take appealed results and set up an appointment with you within 2 weeks of the test. It is best to not get any work done to your vehicle until you have cleared the results as it could be a waste of money. Although the success rate of these appeals is not always positive, it is always worth a try if you are having doubts.

Pontypool Accident & Repair Centre

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of MOT tests and hope you book yours with us at Pontypool Accident & Repair Centre. Everything we have to offer is trusted and are competitively priced. Our fully trained team of mechanics ensure you’re happy before leaving our garage so be sure to call us today.

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The time of year all car owners dread! How to pass your MOT! Many of us who own cars begin to think whether our vehicle is quite up to scratch. It’s important to cover several things that you can do to help your car pass. So, if you live in Pontypool and you have an MOT coming up, stick around!

How Do I Prepare For My MOT?

The MOT Test makes sure that your car is roadworthy and safe to drive. To reduce the amount this may cost you, you can learn some of the reasons your car may not meet the requirements for a successful MOT. Although you may not be able to fix your vehicle, due to lack of specialist equipment, you can maintain it!

Why Brake Checks Are Important

One of the most important safety elements for any car is the brakes. The MOT test will take a thorough look at your brakes and make sure they are not damaged or worn beyond the point of functioning correctly. For this reason, keep a close eye on your brakes and if there are any warning signs get them attended to immediately.

New Car Tyres Pontypool

The MOT test also checks the car tyres for wear, damage and ensuring they meet the legal requirements of a roadworthy car. You should look at your tyres on a regular basis and check them for any signs of bulging or wear and tear that may prevent them from functioning correctly.

Windscreen Damage And Repairs

A chip as small as a fingernail can end up causing an entire windscreen needing to be replaced so taking appropriate action quickly is definitely the best advice to prevent you from having to buy a whole new windscreen.

Checking Your Number Plates

One that’s often forgotten about… Your number plate! Yes the MOT test has a number of checks revolving around cracks, legibility and ensuring your number plate complies with DVLA regulations.

Car Headlight Testing

The MOT test will just check that all headlights on your car are both in working order and not dazzling or dangerous towards other drivers.

Exhaust Repair and Replacement

The security and functionality of the exhaust will be checked and ensuring there are no corroded parts or any elements of the exhaust that are likely to fall off and cause further damage.

Vehicle Suspension

The suspension of your car is not something that can be easily seen or easily repaired by yourself. It is, however, one of the most important aspects of the vehicle for both safety and day to day use. The MOT will check this so if there are any signs of a change in your vehicles suspension, take your car to a garage.

Garage Services Near Me

Looking for a reliable and friendly garage in your local area? PARC Ltd in Pontypool have a range of garage services to help you with your car troubles. Based in South Wales and looking to provide everyone with solutions to vehicle problems, call today for more information.

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The winter months are coming and a lot of us find ourselves thinking how we can maintain our cars in the winter. Well here you go, some of the top car maintenance tips. By spending a small amount of time and money you can then rely on your vehicle all winter long with safety and comfort.

Windscreen Wipers

It’s always a good idea to check the rubber on your windscreen wipers for erosion and damage which may affect their performance. It’s recommended (depending on the number of miles you do) to have your wiper rubber replaced at the start of each winter.

How To See And Be Seen In Pontypool

Before travelling make a few checks with regards to the lights on your car to help you and other drives with visibility in the terrible weather conditions we no doubt see. Ensure head and tail-lights are clear from any debris, dirt or marks that may prevent visibility. Both being seen and being able to see are factors to consider in the winter to make sure you and others are safe. As well as this, well performing lights are key in the MOT, so check your bulbs to make sure you have the best vision you can.

Anti-Freeze Methods

For a journey of any distance in the winter it is recommended that you check that the radiator is working to it’s full capacity and is sealed correctly. Ensure you have enough anti-freeze fluid and do not travel if you do not have a fully functioning radiator, it can get quite cold out there!

Why You Should Check Your Oil

Every car will be different but there will always be a way to check your engine oil levels. This should be checked before every long journey but in winter conditions it is best to check it regardless as it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Battery Power

Car batteries are naturally put under a lot more strain in the winter months and are more likely to drain. The battery has a lifetime of around 5 years so if you know yours is getting old it’s better to replace it just in case. There’s nothing worse than a battery going flat in the cold and rain!

Winter Tyres Near Me

Possibly the most critical part of your winter car maintenance is checking the tyre tread and pressure prior to travelling in difficult weather conditions. Deeper tread is required when the roads are wet so make sure your tyres are fit for the weather you’re driving in. Checking your tyres is crucial for the winter months, closely followed by tyre pressure.

As the cold air contracts tyre pressure reduces in the winter months, making driving more dangerous. If the tyre pressure drops too low you run the risk of punctures and other forms of tyre damage. It’s much better to prepare your tyres than have an unfortunate breakdown in the cold and rain.

Winter Car Emergency Kit

When travelling in the winter, expect the unexpected. It’s always advised to prepare a simple emergency kit so that in the worst possible scenario you have some of the essentials needed to help you through a breakdown. Winter car maintenance is something that should be take seriously as it could potentially save your life.

MOT Pontypool

Are you looking to book an 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.

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