How To Ensure Your Car Passes Its MOT

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How To Ensure Your Car Passes Its MOT

The MOT test was introduced in the UK in 1960 under the direction of the Minister of Transport under powers in the Road Traffic Act 1956. The original test was very basic and included brakes, lights, and steering checks, which took place when the vehicle turned ten years old and every year after its tenth anniversary. The MOT was commonly known by drivers in the UK as the ‘ten year test’ or the ‘Ministry of Transport test’. When tests starting taking place, many cars were failing the test and drivers in the UK were unhappy with the law to take the test; it wasn’t long before the government acknowledge the anger of British drivers and the high failure rate of the test, therefore in December 1961, the law was changed so that cars would have to be tested every year after its seventh anniversary rather than its tenth. In 1962, drivers also had to have a valid MOT certificate to have a tax disk for their car, which at the time was legally required for a car to be driven. Despite the change in years before the car had to be tested, the failure rates still remained high and people were still highly unsatisfied, meaning that in April 1967, the testable age for an MOT was decreased to three years. Ever since then, all cars have been required to take an MOT test annually after their three year anniversary to show they are roadworthy.

Over the years since the MOT was introduced, the list of items that are tested has been expanded to ensure the safety of the vehicle and the passengers inside the vehicle when it is being driven. This includes the tyre check only being added in 1968 and checks of windscreen wipers and washers, horns, brake lights, indicators, exhaust system and condition of the body structure chassis in 1977. The most recent change to the MOT test was in 2012, this included checks of secondary restraint systems, the vehicle battery and wiring, ESC, steering locks and speedometers. It is likely that new test items will be added to the MOT in the future as vehicle manufacturing technology evolves, especially with the introduction of electric powered vehicles and vehicles powered with renewable energy, such as biofuel. As frustrating as having to take your car and pay for an MOT is, we believe it is absolutely necessary to ensure safety on the road for you, your passengers, and other people on the road and the consequences of missing your MOT test are worse than having to pay for an MOT test. That’s why we have provided you with in-depth information regarding the MOT test, including tips on how to pass and simple reasons why vehicles commonly fail their driving test.

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How To Ensure Your Car Passes Its MOT,MOT Bristol,