Most people drive their car to their local service centre for its service and/or MOT simply hoping for the best and that there won’t be many repairs needed.
If your car is on the dated side and you’ve begun to notice it’s not running as well as it used to, this can be a daunting time… “What if it doesn’t pass?!”
But what many fail to realise is that, beyond the hidden, more intricate elements of your vehicle, there are some things you can do in advance to boost your chances of passing the MOT test.
At CJ Auto Service, we always encourage people to treat their beloved cars with a little extra TLC. Not just to raise their chances of passing the MOT, but to help keep other road users as safe as possible at all times.
If you’re in need of a car service or MOT in Warrington, or the nearby area, we’re the team for you. So drop us a message today for more information.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at a few things you can do before your car comes in for its MOT that’ll help it pass.
What is an MOT test?
An MOT is a legally required checkup for your car that must be completed by a qualified professional every twelve months, if the car is over three years old.
During the MOT, your chosen MOT tester will examine multiple areas of your vehicle, to ensure it is roadworthy and safe to drive. These include, but aren’t limited to:
Brakes
Lights
Windscreen wipers
Body
Exhaust
Vehicle registration plate
‘Minor’ or ‘Advisory’ problems are issues that can usually be fixed easily and don’t disqualify the car from driving. But anything identified as ‘Major’ or ‘Dangerous’ needs to be resolved before the car can be driven again.
Things you can do to improve your chances of passing your MOT first time
Look at your tyres
Tyre tread depth (or lack thereof) is one of the most common problems spotted during an MOT test.
The law requires a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, though it’s advised to replace tyres if they drop below 3mm, as the grip of the tyres on the road could be compromised. This covers the most common tyre size in the UK, so will likely apply to your car.
A quick and easy way to test this is the classic 20p trick. Take a 20-pence piece and place it into one of the tyre’s tread grooves. If the outer border of the coin isn’t visible, you’ve got plenty of tread left.
But if the border is clearly in sight, you’ll likely need new tyres. Spotting this problem early on means you can replace your tyres before your MOT and keep yourself and other drivers safe. It also prevents the need for a last-minute replacement after your MOT, which may be more expensive.
Test your wipers
One of the cheapest and easiest parts of your vehicle to replace, windscreen wipers often find themselves getting damaged over time, due to their slim and fragile nature.
Snapped, fractured or ineffective wipers will be flagged in your MOT test and must be swapped out for new ones to ensure they can clear the windscreen properly. So doing this before your car goes in for its MOT can save a lot of time, effort and concern.
If, however, the mechanism that controls your wipers is at fault, as opposed to the wipers themselves, this is something that will need closer attention from your MOT tester.
Top up your fluids
Much like a human being, your car needs plenty of the right fluids to run properly. Without these fluids, your car’s operation may begin to suffer.
Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and transmission fluid are all essential tools in keeping your car healthy.
If any of these fluids are in short supply, depending on the age of your car, you’ll likely receive a notification on your dashboard. When this happens, you should top them up immediately – don’t wait for your MOT. Not only will the car not pass, but it creates a safety risk for you and other drivers around you.
Unsure what you need to do? Consult the owner’s manual for further guidance, or reach out to the team at CJ Auto Service and we’d be happy to help!
Looking for a Warrington MOT centre? Choose the experts at CJ Auto Service Ltd.
If your 4-wheeled friend is ready for its next MOT and you’re wondering where to turn, look no further than CJ Auto Service.
With decades of combined experience in MOTs and car servicing Warrington customers appreciate, along with being home to some of the most competitive prices around, we’re your go-to choice to help keep your car in tip-top shape, so you can enjoy many years of worry-free driving to come.
For further information, check out our dedicated page on MOTs at the links above, or reach out to a member of the team at our Warrington centre for more info and to get yourself booked in.
Personal and commercial vehicles are welcome!
