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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
Electrical	Brakes	Shock Absorbers
Steering Mechanism	Braking System	Wheels/Tyres
Bodywork	Steering/Suspension	Exhaust System
Drive Shafts	Fuel/Exhaust	Petrol Emissions
Diesel Emissions	Reg Plates/VIN

Avoiding MOT Failure

Steering Mechanism

Jack the front of the car up and place securly on axle stands.

Grab each of the front wheels at each side and shake the wheels vigourously. There should be no free play and the steering mechanism should be free to turn.

Check that the wheels do not wobble indicating play in the wheel bearings, ball joints or suspension mountings or bushes.

Repeat these tests grabbing each wheel from the top and bottom to check for any vertical play.

Spin the wheels and make sure that they turn freely. There may be some friction from the brake pad. If this is the case then touch the brakes and repeat. If the wheel tends to lock up, this can be an indication of worn wheel bearings along with any grating noise heard while the wheel is spinning. Again make sure that this is not the brakes.

Repeat these tests to the back wheels after the back of the car has been jacked and placed on axle stands.

Further Help
Steering Mechansism MOT
Check Steering