Most MOT failures come down to small faults you could find in ten minutes on the drive. A blown bulb. A smeared wiper blade. Tread sitting a whisker above the legal limit. None of it needs a mechanic to spot.
An hour of preparation before your MOT test saves money and a second trip. Here is what our testers check, and what you can sort out yourself first.
What an MOT inspection covers
An MOT is the annual roadworthiness check run by the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Most vehicles need one from three years old, then every year after.
It covers lights, brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, seatbelts, mirrors, wipers, exhaust emissions, the fuel system, number plates and the body structure. It leaves out the engine, clutch and gearbox, so a pass means roadworthy rather than perfect. A car MOT test takes 45 minutes to an hour at our MOT test centre on Rothbury Terrace.
An advisory is not a failure, but it flags something heading that way, such as a tyre nearing the wear limit. Faults are graded minor, major or dangerous, so you know how urgently each one needs sorting. Acting early costs less than waiting a year.
Checks you can do at home the week before
Give yourself a few days rather than the night before, so there is time to order a bulb or book a repair.
Lights: ignition on, ask someone to press the brake pedal, and walk round. Headlights, sidelights, indicators, brake lights, fog lights, reverse lights and the number plate light must all work.
Tyres: legal minimum tread is 1.6mm across the central three quarters. Check for cracks, bulges and uneven wear too.
Wipers and washers: top up the screen wash, test the spray, and replace any blade that smears or judders.
Visibility: clean the windscreen inside and out, and remove anything hanging from the mirror in the swept area.
Cabin and boot: test every seatbelt, sound the horn, check the mirrors are secure, and clear the boot so the tester can reach the spare.
Tyres fail more cars than anything except lighting. See our guide to common signs your car needs tyre repairs and when to replace your tyres. Unsure what you’re looking at? Bring the car in for a free tyre check.
The faults that catch most drivers out
Testers see the same problems week in, week out. Here is what you can fix yourself and what needs a ramp.
| Area of the test | What testers reject | Can you fix it at home? |
| Lighting and signalling | Blown bulbs, hazy or cracked lenses, misaligned headlamps | Bulbs yes, alignment no |
| Tyres and wheels | Tread below 1.6mm, sidewall cracks, bulges, uneven wear | Checking yes, fitting no |
| Driver’s view of the road | Chips in the swept area, worn wiper blades, dirty glass | Mostly yes |
| Brakes | Worn brake pads, binding calipers, a soft or long pedal | No, book a garage |
| Suspension and steering | Leaking dampers, worn bushes, knocking over bumps | No, book a garage |
Anything in the lower half of that table is a garage job. If a service is due too, book both together so a mechanic can catch worn pads or a leaking damper first. Our car servicing runs from an interim check to a full service, with repair work usually done on the same visit.
So what should you check before an MOT test?
You may be asking, what should I check before an MOT test? Start with the four areas testers reject most often: lights, tyres, wipers and washers, and the driver’s view of the road. A ten minute MOT check on the driveway clears most of those. Then the paperwork, because an unreadable number plate or a missing locking wheel nut key will hold up the appointment. Brakes, suspension and emissions need a ramp, and cost less to sort before the test than after.
Booking, Vehicle’s MOT history and what to bring
The DVSA caps what a test centre can charge, and most garages, ourselves included, charge below the cap. Ask for the price when you book, and whether a free retest is included.
You can sit the test up to a month minus a day before the current certificate expires and keep the same renewal date. That buffer does not carry over if your last MOT was in Northern Ireland and the next test is in Great Britain. A free text or email reminder against your registration saves tracking the date.
The DVSA sets the fine for driving without a valid MOT at up to £1,000. A dangerous fault found in that period can push the penalty higher and add points to your licence.
Just bought the car? Run a free MOT check on the registration number first. The national test record is public and lists past passes, failures, advisories and recorded mileage, so you can deal with anything outstanding before you pay for a retest. Mislaid your certificate? The same record confirms when the next test is due.
On the day, bring the keys, including any locking wheel nut key, and enough fuel and oil for the emissions test. We will talk you through anything the test picks up before work starts.
MOT Test Newcastle: booking your slot
We test Class 4 and Class 7 vehicles at our MOT test centre on Rothbury Terrace in Heaton. The MOT Newcastle drivers book most often is the standard Class 4 car test. Servicing, tyres and repairs share the same workshop, so anything the test picks up can be quoted and put right without moving the car.
We have been the MOT centre Newcastle drivers trust for years. The workshop is open 07:30 to 17:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 12:00 on Saturday. Call 0191 2400 700, see the full range of work at Premier Vehicle Care, or get in touch to book a slot.
