What Is Checked in an MOT? A Simple Guide for Castleford Drivers

What is checked in an MOT?

An MOT tester follows the official DVSA checklist. It is the same test at every garage. The main areas are:

• Lights, indicators and the horn
• Brakes, including how well they stop the car
• Tyres and wheels, including tread depth (at least 1.6mm)
• Steering and suspension
• Seat belts and seats
• Windscreen, wipers and washers
• Mirrors, number plates and the VIN
• Exhaust, fuel system and emissions
• The body and structure, checked for serious rust or sharp edges

What an MOT does not check

An MOT is not a service. It does not check the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it does not change your oil. A car can pass its MOT and still need a service, so it is worth booking both together.

The most common reasons cars fail

Many MOT failures are small things that are easy to fix before the test:

• A blown bulb in a headlight, brake light or number plate light
• Tyres below the legal tread depth, or with cuts and bulges
• Worn brake pads or discs
• Wipers that smear, or an empty washer bottle
• A warning light left on, such as the airbag or ABS light

Quick checks you can do at home

Walk round the car with the lights on and check every bulb. Ask someone to press the brake pedal so you can check the brake lights. Top up the screen wash. Check your tyres with a 20p coin: if you can see the outer band of the coin in the tread, the tread may be too low. Make sure the number plates are clean and easy to read.

How much does an MOT cost?

The government sets a maximum MOT fee of £54.85 for cars. At our Castleford garage an MOT is £40 on its own, or £34.85 when you book it with a Full or Major Service. Bookings are drop-off: bring your car in on the day and we call you when it is ready.