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PRE MOT CHECKS

Avoid a Failure	Reasons For Failure	Council MOT Centres	Handbrake
Footbrake	Steering Wheel	Windscreen/Mirrors	Seat Belts
Doors	Brakes	Shock Absorbers	Electrical
Steering Mechanism	Braking System	Wheels/Tyres	Bodywork
Steering/Suspension	Exhaust System	Drive Shafts	Fuel/Exhaust
Petrol Emissions	Diesel Emissions	Reg Plates/VIN	Tyre Failure Rates

Avoiding MOT Failure

Electrical Equipment

Switch on the ignition and check the operation of the following electrical equipment.

Horn. Horn should be audible and work every time

Windscreen Washers and Wipers. Examine the wiper blades and make sure that they have a good edge with no splits, cracks, nibbles or rips in the blades. They should clear the winscreen leaving the windscreen clear and with good visibilty.

Side Lights & Headlights. Turn on and check operation of side lights. All side lights should function front and back and the registration plate must be illuminated. All lens must be secure.

Check headlight alignment. This varies between vehicles but your beam must not be too high as to blind oncoming traffic and must point slightly towards the passengers side of the road, again to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. Internal Headlight reflectors must be clear and not discoloured.

Hazard lights. Check that all indicators flash when the hazard light button is depressed

Indicators. Ignition is usually needed. Check both sides, front and back. Indicators must have an internal indiction of operation ie on the dashboard.

Having a mirror or reflective surface behind the car can help in these checks, alternatively have a friend help you.

Brake lights: Make sure ALL your brake lights work when pedal is depressed and do not interfere with the working of indicators. (A bad earth will cause unusual combinations of incorrect and dull lighting)

Fog Lights. Check the operation and also the indicator on the instrument panel.

Instrument Panel. When turning on the ignition check the following on your instrument panel:

ABS
AIRBAG
These are specific to manufacturer but usually the light illuminate for a period of time to show that the bulbs work and then extinguish after a period of time. Once lights go out they should stay unlit.

Further Information
Headlights
Indicators
Brake Lights
Reflectors
Lamp Positions
ABS
Headlamp Aim