Cheltenham's Friendly Independent Garage

What is an MOT and do I need one?

The MOT, or Ministry of Transport test, is essential to ensure that all vehicles on British roads maintain a minimum standard of roadworthiness. It was first introduced in 1960 and is now an integral aspect of operating and maintaining a vehicle in the United Kingdom. There are various classes of MOT that cover different types of vehicles including motorcycles, cars, light commercial vans and heavy commercial vehicles (we will cover this in a separate blog).

What is an MOT?

An MOT is an annual maintenance inspection performed on vehicles older than three years. The operation will be performed by a trained and DVSA-qualified MOT tester who will focus on critical components including brakes, suspension, steering, tyres, body, lights, and windshield wipers. In addition, they will conduct an emissions test to check that the vehicle complies with current regulations.

Are there components that an MOT does not inspect?

Even though the MOT examines a number of features of a vehicle, some components are not examined. An MOT examiner will not inspect the engine, transmission, or clutch although they must be in good working order. For example, if your vehicle cannot be driven onto an inspection ramp under its own power, it will fail immediately.

How long does the MOT inspection take?

Typically, an MOT test takes between 45 and 60 minutes. At the end of the test, you will know if your car has passed or failed.

What occurs when my vehicle passes?

When your vehicle passes the MOT test, the test centre will provide you with a VT20 pass certificate, and the pass will also be recorded on a DVSA national database. You will also receive a list of any minor or advisory concerns that will need to be addressed in the future. The vehicle can then be driven away.

If my vehicle fails the MOT, can I still drive it?

If your vehicle fails its MOT and its certificate has expired, then you should not drive it. However, if your car’s certificate is still valid (if it is still inside the expiration date on your last test certificate), you may drive it away only if it has no dangerous defects noted.

If this is the case, you are prohibited from leaving the test centre. If stopped by the police, you might face a fine of up to £2,500, three points on your licence, and possibly even a driving ban for doing so.

The failure faults will need to be fixed and the car to be retested. If it passes then you can legally drive the car.

Can I not simply drive without an MOT?

This is not a good idea. An MOT is a legal requirement. If your car does not have a valid MOT you can be fined up to £1000.

It’s not just the risk of a fine. Without an MOT test check, you don’t know if your car is safe to drive. You could be putting yourself and your family in danger as well as other road users.

Are any cars exempt from the MOT requirement?

Some vehicles do not require an MOT in order to be lawfully driven. These include electric commercial vehicles registered before March 1, 2015, as well as classic cars manufactured or registered more than 40 years ago, that have not had any substantial changes in the last 30 years.

How much should an inspection cost?

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the government agency that is responsible for MOT Testing set the maximum price for a car MOT. This is currently £54.85 and many garages charge this amount. The good news is that here at Motor Ninjas our MOT charge is only £29.00

If your car fails its MOT we will also retest it for free once the failure items have been rectified. To qualify, however, it must be retested within 10 working days of the original failure date.

How can I book an MOT test?

As one of Cheltenham’s most trusted garages, the team at Motor Ninjas prides itself on our friendly customer service and attention to detail. If you would like to book an MOT test then you click the link or call us on 01242 525735

We look forward to seeing you soon.

The Team at Motor Ninjas MOT & Car Service Centre

We’re open every day from Monday to Friday and on Saturdays and Sundays by appointment. Call us today on 01242 525735 and make Motor Ninjas your next stop for vehicle repairs and services.