The MOT checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. The tester looks at your lights, brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, seatbelts, visibility, body, exhaust and emissions, but not the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox.
If you are booking a MOT test for the first time, or simply want to know what to expect, this checklist follows the official GOV.UK list in order. It also covers what is not tested, so a pass does not give you a false sense of security. If you want the bigger picture first, read about what an MOT is and why it matters.
What Gets Tested on an MOT at a Glance
GOV.UK publishes the full list of car parts checked at an MOT. In England, Scotland and Wales, the first MOT is due when a vehicle is three years old and vehicles over three years old then need one every year. In summary, the tester inspects:
Body, doors, bonnet and boot
Lights, indicators and registration plates
Brakes
Steering and suspension
Tyres and wheels
Seatbelts and seats
Windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors and horn
Exhaust, emissions and fuel system
Electrics, battery and vehicle identification number (VIN)
Lights and indicators must work properly and be correctly aligned, brakes must slow the vehicle effectively and evenly, tyres need at least 1.6mm of tread, and the horn must be loud enough to be heard by other road users.
The sections below go through each area. If you are wondering how long does an MOT take, most cars are done in around 45 minutes to an hour, so the tester covers all of these in one visit.
You can watch the test from a viewing area, but you must not interrupt the tester. Most people wait with a coffee, and some prefer to drop the car off and collect it later.
Keep in mind that the tester checks what is visible and accessible on the day. If something is hidden, such as a wire behind a panel, they cannot judge it, which is why servicing and the MOT work best together.
Lights, Indicators and Registration Plates
Lamps are checked for condition and operation, including brake lights, hazard lights, fog lights and rear fog lights where fitted. The tester also looks at headlamp cleaning and levelling where fitted, headlamp aim and the main beam warning light.
Registration plates are checked for condition and security. They must be the right colour, with correctly formed and properly spaced characters.
A dirty or cracked plate is an easy fail to prevent. Wipe it clean and make sure it is firmly fixed. Lights and signals are also a common failure point, accounting for 29.6% of MOT failures.
Brakes
The tester checks that your brakes decelerate effectively, are balanced, and are in good condition and working order. This includes the anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), related warning lights, and visible underbody parts such as discs, pipes, hoses and brake lines.
If a brake warning light stays on, expect questions on test day. Brake problems are also a common reason for failure, accounting for 17.2% of MOT failures. A pull to one side or a soft pedal is also worth checking before you book your MOT in Newcastle.
Steering and Suspension
Steering and suspension are checked for condition, oil level and operation. The tester also looks for inappropriate repairs or modifications, and the steering wheel is checked for secure fitting and excessive free play. If your car has electronic power steering, as fitted to most modern cars, the warning lights are checked too.
Suspension defects are another common MOT failure point, accounting for 20.2% of failures.
Worn parts here often show up as knocking noises or a wandering feel on the road. Mention anything unusual when you drop the car off.
Tyres and Wheels
Tyres and wheels are checked for condition, security, size and type, and tread depth, which must be at least 1.6mm; tyres close to the legal limit are likely to fail. On vehicles from 2012 onward, the tyre pressure monitoring system is checked as well.
As part of a simple pre MOT checklist, look over each tyre for cuts, bulges and uneven wear. Tyre issues account for 10.4% of MOT failures. If you are due new rubber, see our page on tyres in Newcastle.
Seatbelts and Seats
Seat belts must be present, suitable, in good condition, working and secure. The tester checks airbag and pretensioner warning lights too.
The driver’s seat must adjust and fit securely, and seat backs must be fixed in the upright position. Pull each belt out fully and let it retract. A frayed or sticking belt will not pass.
Visibility: Windscreen, Wipers, Washers, Mirrors and Horn
The windscreen is checked for condition and for the driver’s view of the road, and any chips in the driver’s view must be smaller than 10mm. Wipers and washers must give a clear view. Mirrors are checked for number, condition and security. The horn must work and be loud enough to be heard by other vehicles.
An empty washer bottle or worn wiper blades is a quick fix that stops a needless fail. Issues affecting the driver’s view account for 8.7% of MOT failures.
Body, Doors, Bonnet and Boot
The tester looks for excessive corrosion or damage in specific areas of the vehicle structure, and for sharp edges. Doors must latch and open properly. The bonnet must close securely, and the boot or tailgate must close.
If a towbar is fitted, it must be secure and in good condition, and the 13-pin socket is checked.
Exhaust, Emissions and Fuel System
The exhaust system must be secure and complete, with no missing catalyst, no serious leaks and no excessive noise. Emissions limits depend on the age and fuel type of the car, and petrol and diesel cars have emissions checks. For diesel vehicles, that includes a smoke test, and visible smoke or excessive exhaust noise can lead to a fail.
The fuel system is checked for leaks, and the fuel filler cap and fuel cap must seal properly. If you want a garage that does all of this to the official standard, choose a DVSA-approved MOT test centre near you.
Electrics, Battery and VIN
The tester checks visible wiring, the battery, and dashboard warning lights for tested systems; if a relevant light such as the engine management light stays on, it can lead to a failure. The VIN must be displayed on vehicles first used after 1 August 1980, and the vin plate must be present and legible on applicable vehicles.
What Is Not Tested on an MOT?
The MOT does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox, according to how the MOT test works on GOV.UK. Your car can pass and still need work in those areas.
A pass is a snapshot of road safety on the day. It is not a service. A service checks and replaces wear items on a schedule, such as filters and engine oil. Servicing is not a legal requirement in the same way as an MOT, but it can help your car pass by catching faults earlier. Read the difference between a car service and an MOT for the full comparison.
If you would like both covered in one visit, ask us about combining an MOT with servicing and we will talk you through the options.
Getting Ready Before Your Test
A few minutes spent on a pre MOT can save you a fail. Look at your bulbs, tyres, wipers and washer fluid, and clear any items from the boot and interior. Our mot checklist has the full list.
MOT failures are classed as dangerous, major or minor.
It also helps to make sure the bonnet closes securely, the boot or tailgate shuts, and the doors latch and open properly. These are all on the tester’s list, and they are quick pre mot checks to do at home.
Finally, clear out loose items so the tester can reach the seats and seatbelts without moving your belongings. You cannot drive a vehicle with a dangerous defect or without a valid MOT certificate, and doing so can lead to a £1,000 fine.
Key Takeaways
The MOT checks road safety and environmental standards.
The tester looks at lights, brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, seatbelts, visibility, body, exhaust and emissions.
Engine, clutch and gearbox condition are not tested.
A pass is a snapshot of the day, not a service.
Quick checks of bulbs, tyres and wipers can prevent easy fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gets tested on an MOT? The MOT tests your lights, brakes, steering and suspension, tyres and wheels, seatbelts, windscreen and wipers, mirrors, horn, body, exhaust, emissions, fuel system and electrics. The full list is published by GOV.UK. After the first test, it must then be completed every year.
What is not tested on an MOT? The MOT does not test the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox. A car can pass its MOT and still need mechanical work in those areas, which is why servicing matters.
Does an MOT test emissions? Yes. The tester checks the exhaust and emissions, and the requirements depend on the age and fuel type of your vehicle.
What happens after a failed MOT? After a failed MOT, you will receive a VT30 form showing the reasons for the MOT failure. If the work is put right and you return for an MOT retest within 10 working days at the original test centre, a partial retest is free; after that, a full MOT test may be required. If the vehicle has a major defect, you can only drive it if your existing MOT certificate is still valid and the vehicle remains roadworthy, but you must not drive it with a dangerous defect.
Do you need an MOT for insurance and legal road use? In most cases, a valid MOT certificate is needed to keep your insurance valid and to use the car lawfully on the road.
Ready to Book?
If you are researching what gets tested on an MOT with a view to booking an mot appointment, visit our MOT page to see how Premier Vehicle Care approaches it, and you can book ahead online or by phone. If your car has no valid MOT, you may only drive it to and from a pre booked mot appointment, so keep proof of the booking with you in case the police ask for it.
Useful Resources
GOV.UK: MOT inspection manual for cars, DVSA approves MOT test centres and publishes the inspection materials used during the test.
Check your MOT status, expiry date, MOT history, test history and previous MOT certificate details online using your vehicle registration.
Your MOT certificate shows the test date and expiry date.
For current MOT cost, see GOV.UK for the test fee and the maximum fee for cars and light vans; some centres may charge less.
