A failed MOT is often down to something small and avoidable - a blown bulb, worn wiper blade, or a windscreen chip that's crept into the driver's line of sight. Running through a few simple checks at home before you book can catch these easy fails, saving you a return trip and, in some cases, a retest fee. None of the checks below take more than a few minutes, and most don't require any tools.
Lights
Ask someone to help you check every exterior light works: headlights (dipped and full beam), sidelights, indicators, hazards, brake lights, reverse light, fog light, and number plate light. It's easy to forget the number plate bulb specifically, since it's small and often overlooked, but it's tested as part of the MOT and a surprisingly common cause of an avoidable fail.
Tyres
Check tread depth across the full width of each tyre, not just the centre - the legal minimum in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way around. Also look for any obvious cuts, bulges, or embedded objects, and check that the spare (if fitted) and tyre pressures are in reasonable condition too. Uneven wear across a tyre can also be a sign of a wheel alignment or suspension issue worth mentioning when you get your tyres checked.
Windscreen and Wipers
Look for any chips or cracks in the windscreen, particularly within the driver's direct line of sight - even a small chip in the wrong spot can be an MOT fail. Check that wiper blades clear the screen fully without smearing or skipping, and top up your washer fluid; a completely empty washer bottle is one of the most common (and easiest to avoid) reasons for a fail.
Horn and Warning Lights
Give the horn a quick test - it needs to work and be audible. Then take a look at your dashboard with the ignition on: any warning lights that stay illuminated and haven't been investigated (particularly the engine management light, ABS light, or airbag light) are worth getting checked before your test, since some of these will result in an automatic fail if left unresolved.
Brakes
You won't be able to fully assess your brakes at home the way a tester can, but it's worth paying attention to how the car feels day to day: a spongy pedal, the car pulling to one side under braking, squealing, or grinding are all signs worth mentioning when you book. Our brake checks are included as standard with every service, so if anything feels off, it's worth having it looked at alongside your MOT rather than waiting for it to fail the test.
Seatbelts, Mirrors, and Interior Checks
Check that all seatbelts extend, retract, and buckle properly without fraying, and that mirrors are secure and not cracked. It's also worth making sure the driver's seat adjusts and locks into position correctly - all of these are checked as part of a Class 4 or Class 7 test and are quick to verify yourself beforehand.
What None of This Guarantees
Running through these checks won't catch everything - some MOT items, like emissions, suspension components, and underbody condition, need proper equipment and trained eyes to assess properly. What it will do is clear up the easy, avoidable fails, so if your car does need work, it's for something genuine rather than an overlooked bulb or empty washer bottle.
Battery, Electrics and the Registration Plate
A weak battery won't fail an MOT directly, but it can cause warning lights to behave erratically or prevent the tester from completing electrical checks properly, so it's worth having it tested if the engine has been slow to start recently. It's also worth glancing at your number plates - they need to be clean, secure, and legible, in the correct font and spacing, since a damaged, obscured, or non-standard plate is an easy and entirely avoidable fail.
On the Day
Bring your V5C logbook if you have it (not essential, but useful), make sure the fuel tank has enough fuel for the test to be carried out, and remove anything loose from the boot or footwells that might rattle or get in the way during the inspection. If you've booked online, you'll usually get a confirmation with your appointment time - if anything changes on your end, just give us a call and we'll happily rearrange.
Booking Your MOT
Whether it's a car or a Class 7 van or light commercial, our approved testing centre carries out full MOT testing in Longbenton, and you're welcome to watch your test take place from our customer viewing area. If anything does need attention to pass, we'll explain exactly what's required and why, with no pressure to book work you don't need - and if you're due a service around the same time, ask about our combined MOT and service pricing. Get in touch or book online to get started.
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