MOTs Explained

First things first: An MOT is a safety test for vehicles which use public roads and cars over three years old must by law pass a yearly MOT test to show they are roadworthy. Here you can find out more about the MOT, including the five most common simple reasons why cars fail it.

How long does an MOT take?

The average MOT takes between 45 to 60 minutes, but there are a few things to consider
First, if your vehicle fails the test and repairs need to be made this will take longer. MOT test centres are not allowed return any vehicle that has failed an MOT until the problems are fixed, unless your existing MOT certificate is still valid, or you’re taking the car to have the faults fixed.

Secondly, the test might take an hour or less, but, even if there aren’t any repairs, this does not mean your vehicle will only have to be at the garage for sixty minutes. Test centres often require that you drop your vehicle off first thing in the morning and collect it when ready so you should be prepared to be without your vehicle for the day.

How much does an MOT cost?

Barrowford MOT currently charge £40.00 for the test and that includes:

• Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
• Steering & suspension
• Brakes
• Tyres & road wheels
• Seat belts & restraint systems
• Body structure
• General items i.e. number plate, VIN
• Exhaust, fuel & emissions
• Drivers view i.e. Wipers
• Free hot wash and wax
• No charge for a retest

Top 5 simple reasons for cars failing the MOT test

1. Screen wash not topped up. This basic task takes minutes, so don’t be caught out by it.
2. Believe it or not, this is a big one. Cars that are dirty or full of clutter. Clear the mess from the boot and cabin and give the windows and mirrors a quick wipe.
3. A registration plate problem. For example, the plate used the incorrect type face/spacing, or was dirty or missing altogether. If you have a personalised plate, make sure it follows DVLA rules.
4. Stickers on the windscreen blocking the driver’s view. Make sure anything stuck to the windscreen, including tax disc and parking permits, is outside the wipers’ sweep area.
5. Lit-up warning light on the dashboard. The MOT test has included lit-up warning lights since 2012. So make sure you know what car warning lights on your dash mean and have any underlying problems sorted before the MOT.

If your car fails its MOT

If your car fails its MOT, the test centre will give you a VT3O Certificate showing the reasons for the fail. You will then need to fix the failure points given and arrange a partial MOT retest in which your car must pass on them before you can drive it on the roads again.

If your MOT has expired

If your MOT has expired, it’s illegal to drive your car on the road and you could be prosecuted for doing so. Driving without a current MOT also makes your car insurance invalid. The only exception is if you already have an MOT booked and are driving your car to the test.