Thank you for booking your MOT with Autocourt LTD

Please check below some of our recommended pre-checks you can do yourself to help your vehicle pass its MOT the first time its presented to us.

The goal is to ensure basic safety and legal requirements are met before our professional inspection begins.

Here are the key points to check:
 
Exterior and Lighting
  • All Lights Work: The most common cause of MOT failure. Check all headlights (main and dipped beam), sidelights, brake lights (get a friend to help or use a reflective surface), indicators, hazard lights, fog lights (if fitted), and number plate lights. 
  • Tyres and Wheels: Check the tread depth across the central three-quarters of the tyre using the 20p test (if the outer band of the 20p coin is visible, the tread may be below the legal minimum of 1.6mm). Also inspect for any cuts, bulges, or embedded objects, and ensure all wheel nuts are present and tight.
  • Number Plates: Both front and rear plates must be clean, legible, securely attached, and use the correct legal font and spacing.
  • Wipers and Washers: Windscreen wipers should clear the screen effectively without smearing. Top up the screenwash reservoir—an empty bottle will cause your car to fail its MOT.
  • Bodywork: Ensure all doors are able to be opened from the outside of the vehicle. We are unable to perform the test if any passenger door does not open. Check for any sharp edges caused by damage or corrosion that could injure a pedestrian. 
 
Interior and Under the Bonnet
  • Driver’s View: Remove any obstructions from the windscreen, such as phone mounts or dangling air fresheners, that are within the swept area of the wipers. Any damage (chip or crack) larger than 10mm in the driver’s line of vision or 40mm elsewhere on the windscreen will fail the test.
  • Seatbelts: Tug sharply on all seatbelts to ensure they lock properly. The webbing should be free from cuts or fraying. 
  • Seats: The driver’s seat must adjust and lock securely in place. All other passenger seats must be in the upright position and securely attached. PLEASE REMOVE ANY LARGE ITEMS THAT REQUIRE REAR SEATS TO BE FOLDED ( GOLF BAGS / BICYCLES / TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT ETC ) – we can refuse to test because of this.
  • Horn: Give the horn a quick test to ensure it works and emits a single, audible tone. Novelty horns are not allowed.
  • Dashboard Warning Lights: When the engine is running, no mandatory warning lights (e.g., for airbags, ABS, engine management, or TPMS on newer cars) should remain illuminated.
  • Fluid Levels: Check essential fluid levels like engine oil, brake fluid, and power steering fluid (if applicable). While low levels might not be an outright fail, they can indicate a problem or lead to a refusal to test if levels are insufficient for testing the vehicle safely. 
 
Final Preparations
  • Cleanliness: A clean car, inside and out, allows the tester to conduct the inspection properly and makes a good first impression. Clear the boot and footwells of clutter.
  • Fuel: Ensure the car has sufficient fuel and oil for the emissions test.
  • Warm it Up: Drive the car for 15-20 minutes before the test so the engine and exhaust system are warm for the emissions test