CAR MOT
Book your MOTThe purpose of the car MOT is to ensure that your vehicle meets the minimum safety level required by law. If your vehicle is older than 3 years you are required to have an annual safety check, known as MOT (Ministry Of Transport) test. During the MOT the tester will conduct an inspection and a comprehensive series of checks around the vehicle. This includes the interior, exterior, under the bonnet and under the vehicle.
Once the MOT test is completed, you will receive either a Pass or Fail – with a corresponding certificate. If your car passes its MOT, you will receive a VT20 MOT certificate. In the likelihood of failing your MOT, test centres issue a VT30 ‘Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate’. This will include the details of your car, the MOT test number and reasons why it didn’t pass.The primary goal is checking vehicle safety and roadworthiness with brakes and emissions receiving special attention. An MOT is necessary once a vehicle is three years old and then annually thereafter. The MOT test is only a visual check so examiners are not allowed to make any changes or repairs but you still need, from a maintenance point of view, to book a regular service.
Changes to the MOT test
May 2018 saw a few changes to the MOT test in England, Scotland and Wales. It affects cars, vans, motorcycles and other light passenger vehicles. Defects identified in an MOT test are classified as minor, major or dangerous. During the MOT test, the defect category will depend on the type of problem and how serious it is. MOT testers will give advice on the items in question that need close monitoring and repair if necessary.Below is a breakdown of all the different defect categories and subsequent test results.
| Dangerous | A defect that has a direct and immediate risk to road safety or presents a serious impact on the environment. Do not drive the vehicle until it has been repaired. | Fail |
| Major | Possible effect on vehicle safety and may put other road users at risk or have an impact on the environment. Repair the defect immediately. | Fail |
| Minor | No significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment. Repairs are required as soon as possible. | Pass |
| Advisory | Not a safety concern yet but could become more serious in the future. Monitor and repair if needed. | Pass |
| Pass | It meets the minimum legal standard. Ensure that it continues to meet the standard. | Pass |
There are also stricter emission limits for diesel cars with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). Your vehicle will get a major fault if smoke of any colour is emitted during the MOT test or if there is clear evidence that the DPF has been tampered with.The MOT certificate has also changed in terms of design and content. It now lists all defects under the new categories making it clear and easy to understand. Vehicles older than 40 years do not need an MOT unless they have ‘substantially changed’. You can check a vehicle’s registration date online if you are unsure. Before the new changes, only cars built before 1960 were not required to get the test.Among other changes, the new MOT test includes checking steering systems, reversing lights and brake discs. A heavy leak in the steering box will now result in failing your MOT test. Reversing lights that don’t work or blown bulbs are also scrutinised. In addition, significantly or obviously worn brake discs will also result in an automatic fail.While we have mentioned some of the important elements of the new MOT test, please contact Elite Garages if you would like additional information.
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MOT test at Elite Garages
We perform MOT tests on cars and small commercial vehicles at all of our branches except Strood. The MOT test takes about an hour. After completion, the technicians will inform you of the results and advise if any work is required in the event of a fail. We also offer a FREE retest within 10 working days. You can also sign up for our FREE text reminder service so you will never forget your MOT date.It’s important to ensure that your MOT is up to date and that you don’t miss your annual test. If you do, it carries a fine of £1000 and your insurance would be invalid so Book your MOT before it’s too late.
FAQs on MOTs
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Dorchester
Winter Tyres
Winter tyres provide superior traction and control in cold conditions, especially when temperatures drop below 7°C. They have deeper tread patterns and softer rubber compounds, which allow them to perform better on snow, ice, and wet roads. All-season tyres, while versatile and convenient, don’t match the specialised performance of winter tyres in extreme winter conditions, but they are a good option for milder climates where extreme cold is less common.
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Class 4 MOT
Dorchester
A Class 4 MOT checks various components of your vehicle to ensure it meets the UK’s safety and environmental standards. The test includes an inspection of the brakes, lights, tyres, suspension, emissions, and more. If any of these components do not meet the legal requirements, your vehicle will fail the test, and you’ll need to have repairs done before re-testing. Ensuring these components are regularly maintained will help you pass the MOT without any issues.
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Dorchester
Land Rover Servicing
Common issues include wear and tear on brakes, tyres with insufficient tread depth, and electrical faults. Suspension and steering systems are also frequent areas requiring attention, especially in off-road or older model cars, including Land Rovers. Elite Garages Pulborough can address these issues efficiently with their skilled technicians and advanced diagnostic equipment.
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Car Maintenance Savings
Dorchester
Delaying your car MOT is not recommended, as driving without a valid MOT certificate is illegal and can lead to fines. Plus, regular MOTs help identify early signs of wear or damage, preventing more expensive repairs later. We highly recommend not delaying your MOT as there may be serious consequences.
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Car Maintenance Savings
Dorchester
You can save on car maintenance by sticking to essential services like oil changes, tyre checks, wheel alignment and brake inspections, while avoiding unnecessary add-ons. By doing regular checks, and choosing trusted local garages like Elite Garages, you can help keep your vehicle safe without overspending.
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Dorchester
Snapped Cambelt
If your cambelt snaps while driving, it can cause severe engine damage — especially in interference engines where the pistons and valves can collide. This often results in bent valves, damaged pistons, and even a ruined cylinder head. In many cases, the engine will stop suddenly, and repairs can be extremely costly.
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Dashboard Warning Lights
Dorchester
The most serious dashboard warning lights are typically red and indicate issues that could put your safety—or your engine—at risk. These include the brake system warning light, engine oil pressure warning, coolant temperature warning, and the airbag or SRS warning. If any of these lights appear while driving, you should stop the car as soon as it’s safe and seek professional assistance. Ignoring them can lead to breakdowns, serious damage, or compromised safety systems.
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Dorchester
fuel saving tips
Yes, avoiding routine maintenance can lead to bigger, more expensive problems down the line. Skipping things like oil changes, brake checks, or vehicle diagnostics allows minor issues to develop into major faults; many of which could’ve been caught early and fixed at a more reasonable price.