0162 071 5552 info@gilmerton-mot.uk
Information

Terms & Conditions

  1. Once a car is three years old (four years in Northern Ireland) it must be tested each year to check it meets road safety and environmental standards.

    This Ministry of Transport test is commonly known as an ‘MOT’.

    MOT tests are carried out at authorised test centres around the country, all of which display an official blue sign featuring three white triangles.

    An MOT involves dozens of checks on your car, ranging from the brakes and fuel system to lights, mirrors, seatbelts, windscreen wipers and exhaust system.

    It doesn’t cover the condition of the engine, clutch and gearbox.

    To find your nearest authorised MOT test centre, visit these websites:

     

    An average MOT test takes between 45 and 60 minutes, but there are a couple of other things to take into consideration.

    First, if your vehicle fails the test and repairs are needed this will take longer.

    A test centre isn’t allowed to let you drive away a car 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.

    Second, the test might take an hour or less, but, even if there aren’t any repairs, this doesn’t mean your vehicle will only have to be at the garage for 60 minutes.

    Test centres can require you to drop your vehicle off first thing in the morning and collect it when ready.

    This means you should be prepared to be without your vehicle for the day.

    MOT station might requite the payment for test in front. 

    Here are some of the ways your car could fail an MOT.

    1. Screen wash not topped up. This basic task takes minutes, so don’t be caught out by it.
    2. The car was 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 like parking permits is outside the wipers’ sweep area.
    5. Lit-up warning light on the dashboard. The MOT has included lit-up warning lights since 2012. So make sure you know what lit-up car warning lights mean and, if you have, any sort out the underlying problem before the MOT.