The what, why, and how of MOT testing.
MOT testing or Ministry of Transport testing is a vehicle test that the UK government mandates for vehicles that are over three years old, irrespective of the roads on which they are used- be it the highways or smaller roads. This rule was put in place by the previously existing and now defunct governmental department, the Ministry of Transport, and is now dealt with by the existing Department for Transport. MOT test centres are spread across the country to ensure that vehicles can be compliant without hassle.
What is MOT testing?
MOT test centres have trained professionals who assess vehicles as per the standards set in law. A regular MOT test involves an assessment of:
- The body
- Vehicle structure
- Tyres and wheels
- Mirrors
- Doors
- Seats and seatbelts
- Windscreen wipers
- Washers
- The horn
- The number plate
- Lights
- Brakes
- Exhaust and emission levels
- Suspension
- Fuel system
In other words, everything that will help assess the road-worthiness of the vehicle will be looked into and assessed. Once a vehicle has cleared the MOT test, an MOT test certificate will be issued. This certifies that the vehicle is road-worthy for a period of one year, after which the test must be repeated.
Why do I need MOT testing?
MOT testing conducted by the various MOT test centres across the country helps to assess a vehicle’s roadworthiness. This rule of running mandatory MOT tests annually ensures that a faulty vehicle or a vehicle not fit to be on the road stays off the road, ensuring the safety of both the driver of the car and their passengers, and the safety of other road users too.
How does MOT testing work?
MOT test centres are garages that have obtained the license to conduct MOT tests. They can be easily located as it is mandatory for garages that conduct MOT testing to display the logo for the testing. The logo consists of three connected triangles that are blue. Garages are required to display the logo so that vehicle owners can identify the MOT test centres with ease. Vehicles must have an MOT certificate to be on the roads, and it’s as simple as getting in touch with the garage and booking in for your MOT, which usually takes around 45 minutes to an hour.