What's checked in an MOT?

During your MOT, a qualified technician will check all aspects of your car to ensure that it’s safe for the road. They’ll go over your whole car, including seatbelts, brakes, lights, mirrors, steering, suspension, tyres and more.

The MOT test is about protecting you and other road users from damaged or degraded parts that could fail.

In this article, we’ll go through a complete list of everything that’s checked during an MOT. We’ll also provide some practical tips on how you can check your car before your MOT, potentially saving you time and money.

What is an MOT test?

An MOT test is an annual check that ensures your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. Each MOT test includes a list of standard tests and checks that are performed on every vehicle.

We’ve listed below the main elements that are checked as part of the MOT test. Failing an MOT test isn’t fun, so we’ve also included some simple pre-check tests you can do to spot problems before an MOT. Remember, if you can see it, so can your MOT tester, so it’s important to sort any problems with your car as soon as possible.

Halfords is one of the UK’s most trusted MOT testers. We’re also the UK’s best place to get a car service. As well as describing what’s included in an MOT, we’ll provide information on different types of car services (including joint servicing and MOT packages) for petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles.

Everything that’s checked during an MOT

The MOT test is a standard test performed every year. There are no tricks or surprises, just a standard list that anyone can understand. Here are some of the main things checked during an MOT.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Lights are a vital safety feature, so they’re one of the most important things to be checked in an MOT.

Your vehicle’s front, rear, brake, fog, indicator and registration plate lights and rear reflectors must be:

• Correctly positioned
• Secure
• Unobscured
• In good condition
• The correct colour (a bluish tinge to the front headlights is acceptable, as long as the predominant colour is white)
• Operating correctly and not affected by the operation of any other light
• Illuminated with a single operation of the switch

Pairs of lights must emit light of the same colour, size and shape. The headlight aim (both dip beam and main beam) should be below the horizontal, so as not to dazzle other drivers.

Horn: The horn must sound a continuous uniform note and must be loud enough to be heard by another road user. Give your horn a quick blast to check it’s working correctly. Try and do this away from other road users!

Battery: The battery must be secure and not show any signs of leaking electrolytes. Damaged batteries are an automatic MOT failure, but a simple fix. Lift the bonnet and check that all connectors are in place securely and are in good condition. Keep an eye out for any fluid leakages. If you have any concerns about the health of your car’s battery then book in for a free battery check for peace of mind. Our experts can check its condition and replace it if needed. We’ll even dispose of the old battery if required.

Electrical wiring: Wiring should be secure and must not be damaged to the point where it could short circuit or become detached.

Towbars:Any electrical socket must be in good condition and correctly operate the trailer parking lights, brake lights, indicators and rear fog lights.

Brakes, steering and suspension: During the MOT your tester will check your brakes will stop, your steering is working correctly and your suspension is flattening out those lumps and bumps.

Your brakes, pedals and levers should be in good condition and any relevant warning lights must work. They’ll check the wear on calipers and pads. Our expert technicians will also carry out a brake performance test to check brake efficiency.

Steering: Your steering wheel must be secure and in a good condition. Our MOT testers will check this by pushing the wheel in various directions and inspecting the steering components for wear or damage.

If your steering has a locking device, it should only lock when the engine isn’t running.

Vehicles with power steering must have at least the minimum level of power steering fluid in the reservoir.

Suspension: Suspension components and shock absorbers will be checked for excessive corrosion, distortion and fractures.

Tyres and wheels: 10% of all MOT faults are related to tyres. Your tyres must be of an appropriate speed and load rating for your vehicle and tread depth needs to be at least 1.6mm. At Halfords, our expert technician can perform a free tyre check. They’ll visually inspect the tyre, looking for cuts in excess of 25mm, lumps, bulges, tears, exposure of the cord and tread separation.

For vehicles with run-flat tyres, the warning light must operate correctly.

Road wheels must be in good general condition, and all wheel nuts should be in place and tightly secured.

Before taking your car in for an MOT, use a tyre depth gauge to check the tread depth of each tyre. You should also check for any splits, crack or lumps missing from the tyre. These can all cause an instant MOT failure.

If you don’t have the tools or the time, drop into your local Halfords Autocentre for a free tyre check.

Seat belts: All your seat belts (including the attachment and adjustment fittings) need to be the correct length and in good working order.

Give your seat belts a sharp tug to make sure that the restraint system works. Check the locks operate correctly and everything is in good working order. Inspect the seatbelts to look for any splits or wear and get this sorted before booking your MOT.

Body, structure and general items: During the MOT, your tester will check for structural damage to the body that could reduce the structural strength of the car and impact your safety. Walk round the car and ensure everything, including doors, the boot and bonnet, all work as they should. Inspect the car for damage, looking for rust and other damage that could impact its safety.

Registration plates: Registration plates must be secure and clearly legible to someone standing 20 metres away from the car. They’ll need to be securely fitted to the front and rear of the vehicle. All characters must be correctly formed and spaced so they are not misread.

Clean your number plates and make sure they’re legible and legal. If you need replacement registration plates for your front or back, you can order one online.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Every vehicle must permanently display a legible VIN, either on a VIN plate secured to the vehicle, or stamped or etched on the body or chassis.

Speedometer: A working and accurate speedometer must be fitted, and our expert technician will check that it can be illuminated. It doesn’t matter if the dial glass is cracked, as long as the speed can beread.

Check that your speedometer is clear and visible and that it’s illuminated when you switch on the lights.

Exhaust, fuel and emissions: Emissions are a huge problem for people and the environment and one of the most important things that’s checked during an MOT.

Your exhaust system should be secure and not leaking. If your vehicle was originally fitted with a catalytic converter, it must still be present.

Your vehicle’s carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions must fall within the legal limit. Our expert MOT testers will use a gas analyser probe while the engine is running to test the smoke emitted from the exhaust. They’ll also visually check for excessive smoke of any colour coming from the exhaust, which could result in an MOT failure.

Make a note of any noise or rattling from the direction of your exhaust pipe when your car’s running, this could suggest a problem that needs addressing before you take your MOT. Take advantage of our free exhaust check to get some expert analysis and support.

Your vehicle will need sufficient engine oil and fuel levels for the technician to carry out their emission checks.

It doesn’t matter if you’re not a trained mechanic, you can still visibly check the condition of your car’s exhaust and identify potential emissions problems at home.

Be sure to top up your engine oil and fuel before your test. Your oil level should be between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick in the oil reservoir under your bonnet.

Driver's view of the road: It’s pretty obvious, but clear visibility is vital when driving – and it’s something they’ll check during your MOT.

Mirrors: Rear view mirrors and wing mirrors must be secure and provide adequate views to the rear and side of the vehicle. Check for cracks in the windscreen or mirrors that might obscure your view of the road and replace or repair anything that’s damaged.

Windscreen and Wipers: There must not be any damage or obstruction to the view from the driver’s side of the windscreen larger than 10mm. Outside this area (but within the swept area), there must not be any damage or other obstruction larger than 40mm. Wipers and washers must sweep a wide enough area to give the driver an adequate view of the road.

Give your wiper blades a check by pulling them away from the windscreen. Ensure they’re in good working order and the blades aren’t showing any signs of damage.

Check screen wash levels and top up if needed. Give it a squirt and ensure everything is working as it should be setting off for your test. Look for any chops, cracks or damage. Even small chips can become a big problem while you’re driving.

Passing your MOT

For more MOT preparation, check out our guide on how to pass your MOT.

If you do identify a fault, we’ve got all the spares and replacement parts you need at Halfords. In some cases, we can even replace items such as bulbs or wipers for you while you wait with our mobile fitting services.

When you’re ready for the test, booking your Halfords MOT online is easy. Simply, find your nearest Halfords Autocentre and select a date and time that’s convenient for you.

Book a joint MOT and service at Halfords

Booking an MOT and service at the same won't just ensure your car is safe and reliable, it’ll save you money, too. At Halfords, you can book a joint MOT and service, including an interim service, full service or major service at the UK’s best prices.

The same-day appointment will see a technician perform a service, identifying and fixing many of the common MOT failures. If they spot a serious problem, they can let you know before the test, giving you the chance to get it fixed. Once your technician is confident your car will pass, they’ll put it through an MOT.

Introducing the Halfords Motoring Club

Did you know that with the Halfords Motoring Club, you can get money off your MOT? Join the Halfords Motoring Club today to access a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, safe and saving.

It’s free to join and you’ll receive money off your MOT, a free car health check and a welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.

Or choose our Premium membership for a small monthly fee (or a one-off payment) to unlock exclusive member pricing on all motoring products and services online and across our stores, garages and Halfords Mobile Experts, as well as a variety of other benefits that will help you to keep moving for less.

With so much to enjoy, this is too good an opportunity to miss!

Join the Halfords Motoring Club today at https://www.halfords.com/motoring-club.html.