Cars need to undergo an MOT test after they’ve been on the road for three years or more to ensure they are safe. You should think of an MOT as something that helps to protect you on the road because all vehicles need them. Whether you find yourself manoeuvring through the bustling streets of Scotland or the serene countryside lanes scattered across the UK, road safety stands as an ever-pressing priority. In Scotland, the dense and unpredictable flow of traffic underscores the imperative of prioritising road safety without compromise. However, ensuring compliance with MOT standards and scheduling an inspection on time shouldn’t be a hassle, though. This means you’ll know what checks to make before your MOT comes around so your car is much less likely to fail.
What are the most common causes of failures? Read on to find out.
1. Lights
Over 18% of MOT failures occur because of faulty lights. In some cases, just replacing indicator bulbs or headlamps is enough to avoid failing.
2. Suspension
Your car’s suspension system might not be an easy fix, but it should be straightforward enough to detect. If you notice clunky sounds when you drive over potholes, then it could be you need a new shock absorber to be fitted, for example. Push down on the corner of your car to see whether it dips and bounces back to try and diagnose suspension problems.
3. Brakes
One in ten MOT failures for car owners result from faulty brakes. In some cases, just replacing the brake pads would have been sufficient to avoid a failure. Handbrakes can also lead to failures if they aren’t strong enough to hold a car still on a hill.
4. Tyres
Many cars fail their MOTs because their tyres aren’t roadworthy. It isn’t just balding tyres but ones which are flat or that have degraded sidewalls which also lead to failures. At Fife Autocentre you can book MOT in Stirling and they have other branches across Scotland too. They will help in tyre inspection and making sure your car is roadworthy and safe to drive.
5. Visibility
Not being able to see clearly around you is enough for an MOT to fail. Make sure your wiper blades and mirrors are in good condition and that your windscreen is devoid of large chips or cracks, too.
All in all, you don’t need to be a skilled amateur mechanic to identify or even rectify most of these car problems. So, before you take your vehicle to its MOT, do some basic checks and avoid being one of the many motorists each year who have to put their car through its MOT twice before it passes.