What we check
Vehicle identification number - a vehicle identification number must be permanently displayed and legible on a vehicle first used on or after 1 August 1980
Registration plate - condition, security, legibility and format of letters/numbers
Lights - condition, operation, security and correct colour. The headlamps will also be checked to see if the aim is correct
Steering and suspension - correct condition and operation
Wipers and washers - operate to give the driver a clear view of the road Windscreen - condition and drivers view of the road
Horn - correct operation and type
Seatbelts - all seatbelts installed are checked for type, condition, operation and security. All compulsory seatbelts must be in place
Seats - front seats secure. Front and rear backseats can be secured in the upright position
Fuel system - no leaks, fuel cap fastens correctly and seals securely. The fuel cap will need to be opened. Make sure the key is available
Exhaust emissions - vehicle meets the requirement for exhaust emission. These vary on the age and fuel type of the vehicle
Exhaust system - complete, secure, without serious leaks and silences effectively
Vehicle structure - free from excessive corrosion or damage in specific areas. No sharp edges
Doors - open and close. Latch securely in closed position. Front doors should open from inside and outside the vehicle. Rear doors may need to be opened to gain access to testable items
Mirrors - presence, condition and security
Wheels and tyres - condition, security, tyre size and type, and tread depth. Spare tyres are not tested
Brakes - condition, operation and performance (efficiency test). Suitable vehicles will be tested on a roller brake tester. Vehicles such as those with permanent 4-wheel drive will be tested either on a suitable road using a properly calibrated and maintained decelerometer or, if one is installed at the test station, a plate brake tester |
What is an MOT Test?
The MOT is a regular examination of the condition of cars and light commercial vehicles in mainland Britain. It is required annually on all vehicles over three years old with one or two very minor exceptions – small ‘breakdown’ trucks is one example.
History and why its called the MOT
Following the second world war and into the late 1950s most people purchased second hand cars and light vans, many of which were originally manufactured before 1940 and vast numbers of which were not in ‘tip top’ condition, nor were they regularly serviced. As a result there were numerous vehicles being used on the road which were potentially dangerous. In particular they often had defective brakes, lights and/or steering.
As a result of this, in 1960 the then Ministry of Transport under the direction of the Minister of Transport Mr Ernest Marples decided that all vehicles over ten years old should have their brakes, lights and steering checked every year. This became known as the “ten year Test”, or alternatively the Ministry Of Transport Test – which became shortened to ‘MOT’. The Testable age was progressively reduced to 3 years by April 1967.
The Testing Garage
The local MOT garage does, however, carry responsibility for the quality of day to day Testing at that Testing Station. The garage, either through the individual, the company or the partnership if that is how it is set up, becomes what is known as the Authorised Examiner (AE), having been authorised by the Vehicle Inspectorate to carry out MOT Tests on their behalf. There are now over 19,000 Testing Stations in Britain and 50,000 MOT Testers So generally, but not necessarily the AE is the owner of the business or the business itself.
In turn the AE has the power to nominate specially trained individuals to carry out MOT Testing on customers’ cars. So the official name for an MOT Tester is Nominated Tester (NT) because he or she has been nominated by the AE. It should be noted that this is why it is impossible for aspiring young MOT Testers to go to college and learn the profession – they have first to be trained at a Testing Garage and then nominated by the AE.
An aspiring Tester also has to have either a certain minimum formal qualification or sit a special examination set by the VI before then going on a two day course set up by VOSA to, as they say “calibrate his or her skills”.
(Despite being ultimately fully responsible for all MOT Testing, VOSA have never published either a complete training programme or an approved syllabus to train MOT Testers). So your local Testing station is in charge of the Tests they do, but the Government, through VOSA is responsible overall for the general quality of MOT Testing. To do this they have about 100 experts called Vehicle Examiners who spend much of their time monitoring the performance of NTs and AEs – but they also have other jobs as well. Not many people to keep an eye on nearly 20,000 Testing Stations and 50,000 Testers!
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