Here's what we need to know about MOT reading

 

What is a MOT Test?

The MOT (Ministry of Transport) Test is an annual safety check that is obligatory for most cars, vans, and motorcycles. It looks at how safe a vehicle is to drive on the road, how clean its exhaust is, and how it follows the law in other ways, like with its lights and licence plates.

The MOT Test gets its name from the Ministry of Transport, which is now gone. The Ministry of Transport was one of the government departments that came before the current Department of Transport. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), which is part of the Department for Transport, is in charge of keeping track of MOT Test certificates and giving them out.

The MOT Test's Past

Ernest Maples, who was born in Levenshulme, Manchester, Lancashire, and was the Minister of Transport at the time, was in charge of putting the MOT Test into place in 1960. At first, the MOT test was only for cars that were 10 years old or older, and just like now, a new test had to be thruevery year. People usually called the test the "Ten Year Test" or the "Ministry of Transport Test," which was often shortened to "MOT Test." In 1962, commercial vehicles were permissible to take the MOT test, and a valid MOT test certificate was desirable to get a road tax disc. In 1967, the age at which a car had to undergo testing went from 10 years to 3. In 1983, the age at which ambulances, taxis, and cars with more than 8 seats had to undergo testing went from 3 years to 1.

The list of things checked during a MOT test has grown over time. The first MOT tests were just simple checks of the steering, brakes, and lights. In 1968, tyre checks were additional. In 1977, body/chassis structural checks, windscreen wipers, windscreen washers, direction indicators, stoplights, horns, and exhaust system checks were additional. In 1991, emissions, anti-lock braking (ABS), rear wheel bearings, rear wheel steering (when needed), and rear seat belts were additional. Later, many other small changes were thru, such as stricter tyre depth requirements. More recently, in 2012, ESC systems, speedometers, steering locks, and secondary restraint systems were set with battery checks, wiring checks, and test procedures.

Vehicle Classification: Based on the type of vehicle, MOT tests are set into the following classes:

Class I MOT: Motorcycles up to 200cc, wth or without side cars

All motorcycles, including those in Class I, need a Class II MOT (with or without side cars).

Class III MOT: Three-wheeled cars that don't weigh more than 450 kg empty (excluding motorcycles with side cars).

Class IV MOT: Cars, including 3-wheeled vehicles that weigh more than 450 kg when empty, Taxis, Minibuses, and Ambulances with up to 12 seats, Goods Vehicles with a Design Gross Weight (DGW) of less than 3000 kg, Motor Caravans, and Dual Purpose Vehicles.

Class V MOT: Private passenger cars, ambulances, motor homes, and multi-use vehicles with 13 or more passenger seats.

Class VII MOT: Goods Vehicles with a DGW of between 3000 kg and 3500 kg.

PSV MOT test (Class VI): Public service vehicles with more than eight seats that are cast-off for hire or pay.

HGV MOT test: Goods vehicles with a GVW of more than 3,500 kg and trailers that weigh more than 1,020 kg empty or 3,500 kg GVW if they have overrun brakes.

Legal papers and rules

The VT20 MOT pass certificate, the VT30 MOT failure report, and the VT32 MOT advisories report are all related to the MOT test. If necessary, the MOT test will also include a report on the car's emissions test.

It is against the law to drive a car on a public road without a valid MOT test certificate, unless the car is exempt (VT20). The only time this isn't true is when the car is being driven to or from a pre-booked MOT test (assuming this does not violate the terms and conditions of the vehicle insurance). The vehicle must have a valid and up-to-date MOT test certificate in order to get a vehicle licence (tax disc) (VT20).

MOT Test Checks

For the current MOT test, the following parts must plaid for damage:

Structure and condition of the vehicle body

Brakes, Steering and Suspension

Lighting and Making Signals

The Road from the Driver's Seat Road Wheels and Tires

Seat Belts

Fuel, Exhaust and Emissions

Things like the exhaust system, windshield, and windshield wipers are checked to make sure they work and are in good shape. The exhaust system needs to be safe, in good shape, and not too loud. Windshield wipers and washers must be able to clean the windshield well enough.

Download the relevant MOT test Inspection Manual for more detailed information on how to do a MOT test:

MOT Test Inspection Guide for Vehicles in Classes 1 and 2 (Motorcycle MOT Testing)

MOT Test Inspection Guide for Vehicles in Classes 3, 4, 5, and 7 (Private Passenger and Light Commercial Vehicle MOT Testing)

MOT Checkups

If a car fails the MOT test and needs to be immobile, a MOT re-test must be thru within 10 working days. If not, a full MOT test will have to be thru again. If the car stays at the MOT testing station while it's being set and is retested within 10 business days, it's eligible for a free recheck. If the repairs are thru somewhere else and the car is returned within 10 working days, a partial re-test will be needed. Most MOT testing stations will charge about half of the full MOT test fee for this.

If the vehicle fails the MOT test for one of the following reasons and is secure somewhere else and brought back to the same MOT testing station before the end of the next working day, there is no charge for a retest: Windshield and Glass, Fuel Filler Cap, Seat Belts, Wipers and Washers, Hazard Warning, Seats, Wheels and Tyres, Mirrors, Tailgate, Doors Rear Reflectors, VIN, Drop sides, Registration Plates, Bonnet, Horn, Sharp Edges, Boot lid, Lamps, Steering Wheel, Anti-Slip Brake Pedal, Loading Door, Tailboard, Direction Indicators.

New MOT Test Certificates on Plain Paper in the Style of a Receipt

In 2012, the old MOT certificates, which looked very official, were set back with printed certificates that look like receipts. These certificates just serve as a record of the information that is now in the VOSA computer database. The certificate has a MOT test number that can be cast-off to check the vehicle's current MOT Reading test status and its entire MOT test history on the VOSA website.

To know more, do reach out to us.