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In case your annual MOT reminders have began popping up, then you definitely’re doubtless questioning if there’s something you are able to do to assist your automobile move first time. Failing an MOT means you received’t be capable of drive your automobile till it passes, and repairs could be expensive, so it’s value taking the additional time to care to your automobile beforehand.
So, to be sure to drive away on the identical day, we’ve compiled a listing of straightforward checks you are able to do earlier than your take a look at.
Cleansing
Whereas cleanliness isn’t one thing that’s strictly checked on an MOT, first impressions depend, so we’d at all times advocate giving your automobile a radical clear in and out earlier than your take a look at.
In addition to, this time spent wanting across the exterior and inside of your automobile might properly warn you to different issues you hadn’t observed earlier than that might trigger a difficulty throughout your take a look at, permitting you to deal with them.
Handbrake
You utilize your handbrake each time you get within the automobile, so it must be fairly clear whether or not it’s working because it ought to. Nevertheless, there are a couple of indicators that point out that the handbrake is nearing the tip of its life.
Together with your foot on the brake, take a look at your handbrake by lifting it on and off a couple of instances – if travels too far, or clicks greater than 3 or 4 instances, then the cable might have adjusting so get this checked out upfront.
Brakes
You ought to be checking your brake fluid repeatedly, and earlier than your MOT is not any completely different! Most producers advocate altering your brake fluid each 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever is sooner. The brake fluid reservoir could be discovered underneath your bonnet – whilst you’re there, make sure you examine your different fluid ranges too.
To examine your brakes’ efficiency, press the pedal a couple of instances and take note of the way it feels. The pedal ought to really feel agency and return to its authentic place as quickly as you launch your foot. If it feels unfastened or gentle, then it’ll want instant consideration.
The most certainly trigger is air within the hydraulic system which prevents the brake fluid from flowing correctly. To resolve this, you simply have to bleed your brake system and refill the fluid. When you don’t fancy doing it your self, allow us to do it as an alternative! We’ll drain, refill, and safely get rid of the outdated fluid in an environmentally pleasant approach.
Windscreen & Mirrors
A transparent view of the street forward is significant for the security of each you and different street customers, so any chips or cracks within the windscreen inside your driving view might price you a move.
If there’s any harm, you’ll have to get it mounted forward of time. Any chips which have developed into cracks, or chips bigger than 25mm (concerning the dimension of a £2 coin) aren’t repairable with resin, and also you’ll doubtless want the entire windscreen changed.
When you’ve got a chip smaller than a £2 coin, our Windscreen Chip Restore Service is right here to assist. It takes simply half-hour, and 2e can do the job for you at certainly one of our shops. Or in case you favor, certainly one of our Halfords Cell Specialists can come to you and perform the restore proper in your drive.
Identical to your windscreen, your mirrors can even must be in good situation and mean you can see clearly, so make sure that they’re well-maintained. Your tester will examine that each wing mirrors and your rear-view mirror are adjustable and stuck securely in place.
Lights
Whether or not it’s your headlights, sidelights, brake lights, fog lights, registration plate lights, or indicators, the lights in your automobile are important for conserving you seen and alerting different street customers to your presence. Despite the fact that a bulb is fast and straightforward to exchange, it’s a standard MOT failing so make sure that to double-check all of your lights and save your self some problem.
Your whole lights must be totally functioning throughout your take a look at so make sure you examine all of them beforehand. That is simpler to do with one other individual – whereas certainly one of you sits within the automobile and activates every gentle one after the other, have the opposite circle the automobile to examine that they’re working.
When you can’t get assist from anybody else, you possibly can examine your brake lights by yourself by reversing as much as a reflective floor, like a window, and checking them in your rearview mirror. Different lights can simply be checked by strolling across the automobile with the lights turned on.
It’s additionally value noting that many fashionable automobiles will warn you by way of a warning gentle on the dashboard if an exterior gentle isn’t practical.
Tyres
Your tyres are a significant a part of your automobile, and your MOT tester pays them important consideration to guarantee that your automobile is secure to drive. Examine every tyre for indicators of injury – this might be something from a scuff or normal put on to a nail or piece of steel that’s nestled its approach in. If they give the impression of being okay, examine your tread utilizing a depth gauge, ensuring they’re above the minimal authorized depth of 1.6mm.
When you’re unsure, ebook a Free Tyre Examine at your native Halfords storage – certainly one of our skilled technicians will perform a stress examine, asses the tread depth, and examine for any put on and harm to make sure your tyres are secure and authorized, all for free of charge.
If the tyre inspection reveals up any issues, we’ll supply recommendation on what could be achieved to appropriate the problem.
Seatbelts & Seats
Your seatbelts ought to click on in place and return to the holder simply when not in use. In the event that they fail to return or don’t keep locked in place once you tug on the belt, then they could be defective and will trigger you to fail your MOT. Get them checked out instantly to be sure to’re secure while driving. If any of your automobile’s seatbelts have been eliminated, then your automobile will mechanically fail.
As to your seats, they need to be totally locked in place and upright, in addition to the headrests. In the event that they’re caught in place or the headrests aren’t safe, then this may increasingly additionally result in a fail.
Ultimate checks
Almost there! High up your windscreen wash and examine that your wipers aren’t smearing – if they’re, chances are you’ll want to wash or substitute them. Lastly, give the horn a blast to verify it’s sounding correctly, and examine that your quantity plates aren’t cracked, as these can each trigger you to fail.
The Halfords Motoring Membership
Our closing MOT must-have offers you entry to a spread of fantastic advantages and reductions which might be designed to maintain you shifting, maintain you secure and maintain you saving.
It’s free to affix and also you’ll obtain cash off your MOT, a free automobile well being examine and a welcome voucher that may be spent on any Halfords services or products.
Or select our Premium membership for a small month-to-month price (or a one-off fee) to unlock unique member pricing on all motoring services and products on-line and throughout our shops, garages and Halfords Cell Specialists, in addition to a wide range of different advantages that can assist you to to maintain shifting for much less.
With a lot to get pleasure from, that is too good a chance to overlook!
Be a part of the Halfords Motoring Membership right now at www.halfords.com/motoring-club.
Spending slightly time giving your automobile a great once-over earlier than your MOT can typically make an enormous distinction, so it’s undoubtedly value doing! For extra details about our MOTs, try our MOT FAQs the place we’ve answered a complete vary of frequent testing queries.
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