What happens at MOT time?

[ferret76]

G'day all,

Just wondering if anyone can tell me what happens in the UK in regards to MOT? I've been reading a few posts and it seems that the whole process is quite arduous. What sort of inspection are we talking about? Where I am in the NT, cars over 10 years old are required to go over the pits every year and the Motor Vehicle Registry inspectors go through the vehicle fairly thoroughly. They do give 'classics' a bit of leeway in regards to oil leaks and the like, but generally the inspections here are the toughest in Australia. Things such as messy wiring or a missing pedal rubber can be enough for a fail.
Just interested to see any similarities and differences.

[simmitc]

For any car over three years old, once a year it has to be inspected in a similar way to that which you describe. The test includes things like vehicle structure, lighting, horn, seatbelts, wipers, emissions, brakes, etc. Depending on specific dates of manufacture/registration then certain areas may be exempt. For example, pre 1963 requires no seatbelts (but if fitted, must be working); rear fog lamps are not necessary prior to a given date; most Minors will be exempt from strict emissions test, but must be free from obvious and continuous smoke; and early Minors can have semophores rather than flashing indicators.

The test is no problem for a well maintained car. If you don't have a valid MOT certificate then your insurance will be void.

Hope that helps.

[rayofleamington]

it seems that the whole process is quite arduous

They are not too bad compared to most developed countries!
Pedal rubbers and many other things are not an issue. Missing bump stop rubbers should be a fail, but that's unlikely. Body modifications are generally not a problem as long as there are no sharp edges. Brake and suspension upgrades do not raise an eyebrow.
Even rotted holes in doors and wings can pass the MOT if you just gaffa tape over them.

[wibble_puppy]

anyone know if wing mirrors are an MOT requirement?

[bpr81a]

Not on a minor. The number of mirrors required depends on the year. The minor only needs one

[ferret76]

You certainly wouldn't get away with gaffa tape over the holes here. Are you required to display a registration sticker in the UK? Is that what a tax disc is?

[alex_holden]

Not exactly, the tax disc says the car has a valid license to be on the public road. In order to get one you need a valid MOT certificate and valid insurance (at least third party liability) as well as the bit of paper that says you are the registered owner of the car. For most vehicles you also have to pay a fairly hefty fee but classic cars built before 1973 get it for free.

[wibble_puppy]

Not on a minor. The number of mirrors required depends on the year. The minor only needs one

thanks jon So that would be the rear-view mirror?

[polo2k]

Pedal rubbers and many other things are not an issue.

The brake pedal should not be plain metal, (i.e. rubber pad) and the pedals should be at least 50mm apart (but they might only check that on the sva)

The basic checks are:

• all doors operating via the external handle
  all fitted seatbelts working (i.e. latch, retract and not damaged)
  Mirror conditions checked, where applicable.
  full external lighting and indication check (side, head, main beam, indicators, sire repeaters, brake lights, reversing light, fog light (if fitted), rear number plate lights)
  number plate conditions
  check condition of all fitted wipers
  check the vehicle externally for sharp edges.
  check the general condition of the underside of the car.
  check for rust near suspension mountings/ seatbelt mountings
  check all brake hoses for corrosion or splitting
  check the condition of the brake equipment
  check for play in the suspension/steering.
  check the tread on all tyres (must be 1.8mm) including the spare if fitted, but its not a fail if you dont have one!
  check all dampers for leaks
  check all springs/bars for wear/cracks
  check all rubbers for the suspension.
  check the emmisions.
  check the brake distribution f/r and l/r on a mini rolling road type contraption.
  check operation of the horn
  check the windscreen for cracks and if present they must be smaller than a 2p for the swept area and smaller than a 5p in the drivers direct line of sight.

Im sure ive missed out a load but its been a while since i was test assistant, wierdly enough they are not allowed to remove items to check things beneath, for example, if the sills are rotten but cant be seen because of a side skirt, then it will be ok!!!

Most of it is common sence. There might be a full list in the back of a haynes manual.
hope this helps

[bpr81a]

thanks jon So that would be the rear-view mirror?

Sorry - Yes

[wibble_puppy]

right ho - cheers, Jon

[dunketh]

Bodywise, the rule of thumb is anything thats structural must be undamaged and rust free.
There must also be no rust within 30cm of anything structural.

Besides that, its open season.
You can have a stonking girt hole right through every panel and as long as there were no sharp edges it would pass.

Mechanically they check for play. excessive wear, operation etc.. same as with any other countries tests I should assume.

[stevey]

well we now get an extra disc that states that we have an MOT which needs to be displayed as well as the tax disc, event though you need a valid MOT to get a tax disc.

[simmitc]

The condition of the spare tyre is NOT a reason for failure, but the presenter should be advised if the condition is poor. For those who want an in-depth guide try: http://www.motuk.co.uk/default.asp

[polo2k]

Ah cool, well worth knowing

[d_harris]

well we now get an extra disc that states that we have an MOT which needs to be displayed as well as the tax disc, event though you need a valid MOT to get a tax disc.

Is that just NI? We get a nice little sticker here with a date reminder on it, but theres no obligation to display it...

[ferret76]

Is that just NI? We get a nice little sticker here with a date reminder on it, but theres no obligation to display it...[/quote]

We are required by law to display a registration sticker. It shows an expiry date, make, model and year of manufacture, chassis number, vehicle class. If you don't display it, you cop a fine. If you display your current sticker but have not removed your expired sticker, you cop a fine. There is no rule that says it has to be on the windscreen (most are) but if you have a long vehicle and the sticker is too far from the windscreen, you cop a fine. Who says Australia is the most overgoverned country in the world?

[Squiggle]

During a garage dispute I had a Police vehicle safety check on my car. The first thing they noticed was that the rear indicator glass lenses were a noticeably different hue of amber [strong amount of red on one, but not as red as brake light lenses]. I was told that it would be an instant MOT fail.

I acquired a copy of the rules from a local garage MOT inspector which confirmed it.

Garage argued that the suppliers often supply 'non matching' ones.........