MOT Test Explained: Cost, Duration, Reasons for Failure
Your annual MOT test is not only a legal requirement, it is also a useful tool to let you know about your car’s condition. The MOT involves a detailed and in-depth look into the literal nuts and bolts of your car, and it should be embraced for this – without it, you could suffer a catastrophic breakdown in busy traffic with no warning whatsoever, a most undesirable outcome for any driver.
MOT Cost
Reserve a date for MOT in London with Elite Direct, and you are guaranteed to never pay more than the government mandated price of £54.85. In fact, you are almost certain to pay much less for your MOT, as few inspection centres push their prices all the way up. Many garages offer bundled products with MOTs such as a full or interim service and some will even throw in some valeting discounts too, so that you can drive away, legally compliant and in a beautifully clean and well-appointed car!
MOT Duration
Your MOT test must be taken at around the same time each year – there is no grace period after the expiry date, but you can take the test up to thirty days early without losing your anniversary date – and it can be a hassle to organise as, obviously, you will not have access to your car during this time. The test will be scheduled to last one hour or so, assuming you have made an appointment and arrive on time for it – drop-ins can take much longer. But often, the test is completed up to fifteen minutes before, if everything goes well.
Reasons for Failure
Your car can fail its MOT for any of a number of reasons, but they will all relate to its roadworthiness or to its lack of green credentials. Emissions, noise and leakage are all no-nos for your MOT from an environmental point of view, and things like your steering, braking and how well you can see and be seen affects the test from the roadworthiness point of view. There are many lights – at least ten and probably more – in any car, and all of them must be quickly responsive when ignited, evenly matched if in a pair, and otherwise in good condition. Light fails are the leading contender for MOT fails, so it is sensible to check your lights – from the brakes to the hazards to the indicators – and make sure that your lights don’t let you down at MOT time.