MOTs are crucial for ensuring the safety of British motorists. Not only do they help to make sure that British cars are safe to drive, but they also help to protect other road users and people who live by busy roads from over-exposure to emissions. That said, from Essex to Edinburgh and from Newcastle to Newquay, cars up and down the country fail their MOTs because straightforward safety features haven’t been properly maintained since the last inspection. What should car owners be doing prior to an MOT to help their vehicle pass and stay safe while they’re out and about?

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration

1 Untwist Seat Belts

You do not need to be a trained mechanic to undertake simple maintenance on your car. Of course, some parts of an MOT inspection that deal with the mechanics of vehicles are not something you can expect the average car owner to be capable of sorting out. Did you know, however, that old and fraying seatbelts often cause MOT failures? To stop yours from deteriorating, straighten them out and make sure they’re not twisted as they pass through the buckle loop. This will mean your car is more likely to pass and that the seatbelts will work, as intended, in an emergency.

2 Check Your Tyres

Balding tyres only have to be below the minimum tread depth in one small part of the surface and they are no longer street-legal. If you have such tyres fitted when your MOT is due, your car will probably fail. You can also arrange your MOT in Basildon with Elite Direct if you are looking for a reliable centre in Essex. You should also check your tyres are properly pumped up before taking your car in for its MOT inspection. Even partial flats will lead to unnecessary trouble, especially when you consider inflating them will only take moments the next time you pull into a garage to refuel.

3 Make Sure Lights Work

Even if you don’t drive at night, your headlamps – dipped and full beam – must work properly or your car will be considered unsafe to drive. Car owners should also check their indicators once in a while since these are essential for road safety. Furthermore, all cars must be fitted with a working fog lamp and reversing light to pass their MOT. Make sure your brake lights come on, too, when the brake pedal is pressed. Usually, it is only a question of fitting a new bulb if one or might light isn’t functioning.

4 Fix Wipers

Being able to see is important for all drivers so MOT inspections include checks on rearview mirrors and wiper blades. If your windscreen wipers have old rubber blades, then they simply cannot push away rainwater as efficiently as they should. Since this would be unsafe in a downpour, your car will fail its MOT unless you have reasonably new blades. They only take a minute to fit so what are you waiting for? Get them fitted now rather than waiting for an MOT inspector to tell you they are needed.

5 Replace Brake Pads

Finally, brake pads are often the cause of MOT failures in the UK. If your brakes are no longer as responsive as they used to be or you hear squeaking every time you put your foot on the brake pedal, then all you are likely to need to do is fit new brake pads. Although this is something that is typically undertaken during an annual service, if needed, this is a job that isn’t particularly technically demanding on most modern cars, so it is something you can consider doing for yourself one afternoon when you have an hour to spare.