When your car needs its annual MOT service, you can trust Dick Lovett to provide the best possible experience, from start to finish. Our skilled technicians will give your vehicle a thorough and detailed inspection, meticulously working through the series of checks required to pass its MOT.
If your car fails its MOT on the first test, don’t worry – it’s in safe hands. We can carry out any repair work needed to ensure it’s roadworthy, fit to drive, and in the condition it needs to be to pass.
In this quick guide, we’ll cover off all the essential information you need to know about your MOT service, and what you can expect when you book your MOT online with Dick Lovett.
If your car is more than three years old it requires an MOT service. You should book your MOT online or by calling your nearest Dick Lovett dealership before your existing certificate expires, as it’s illegal to drive a car without a valid MOT.
There are only two scenarios when you are legally entitled to drive a car without a valid MOT, and that’s if you’re driving it to and from somewhere to get it repaired, or for a pre-arranged MOT.
You can choose to book an MOT up to a month – minus a day – before the date required, but no earlier. As an example, this means if the test date is due by April 30th, the earliest you can book an MOT is March 31st. You still keep the original retest date, so you don’t ‘lose’ any time.
You don’t necessarily have to do anything in preparation for your car’s MOT – but it is worth running through some basic maintenance checks to give your vehicle the best chance of passing on first inspection.
These include making sure the car is clean and presentable – paying attention to keeping the boot and seats clear of bulky items, and the number plates clean to be able to read the registration.
Check the windscreen wipers, all lights and the horn to ensure they work correctly – your car can fail on these – and that tyres are inflated properly, as well as being in good condition.
If you’re aware of any issues, book a car service with one of our servicing departments, where our skilled technicians can address the problem prior to its MOT test
An MOT includes checks on most of the working parts of your car, though it doesn’t look at the gearbox, engine or the clutch – these are areas covered off in a typical vehicle service.
An MOT test covers these areas:
Body, vehicle structure and general items
Towbars
Fuel system
Exhaust system, including an emissions test
Tyres and wheels – including assessing any damage, wear and tear, tyre tread depth
Brakes (Spare wheels and tyres are not inspected)
All functioning lights, including headlights, brake lights, reversing lights, indicators
Electrical - all visible electric wiring and the battery
Steering and suspension
Front windscreen including wipers and washers
Horn
Mirrors
Seats / seatbelts
Doors and bonnet
Registration plates
Load security
Vehicle identification number
All of these parts will be inspected to make sure they’re in good condition, and work correctly. If not, there is a possibility that your car will fail its MOT.
What if my car fails its MOT?
During an MOT, any defects or faults discovered with your vehicle will be categorised as either minor, major or dangerous. A major or dangerous fault will result in your car failing its MOT; minor faults won’t mean your car fails, but these will be recorded on your pass certificate and it’s your responsibility to monitor these and get them repaired. These are typically known as ‘advisories’.
If your car fails its MOT, you shouldn’t drive it. You could be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle that has failed its MOT because of a ‘dangerous’ problem.
If it’s failed with major faults, these need to be repaired before you can drive it again, though you are able to use your vehicle to drive to a garage for those repairs. You can also drive your car if you’ve had the MOT early and your current certificate is still valid – but you’ll need to get those repairs done, and re-tested, to get a new certificate.
If your car has failed its MOT because of dangerous problems, it can’t be driven at all until repairs are made. When your current MOT certificate has expired, you will need a new one to be able to continue to drive your car. It won’t be deemed legal and roadworthy until it passes.
In the event of MOT failure, your car will need to be re-tested again so that it passes.
Usually, the simplest option is for any repairs to be carried out as soon as possible, such as later the same day or the next working day. Our experienced teams of motor technicians can complete the work needed for your car to pass its MOT. Your vehicle will be subject to a partial retest on the areas it failed on and here at Dick Lovett, we won’t charge you extra for a retest, provided it’s within ten days of the first MOT.
If your car has failed with dangerous or major faults, you can have the peace of mind of knowing that it's in safe hands. At Dick Lovett, our team of technicians will carry out any repair work necessary to ensure your car passes the inspection and gets back on the road again in no time at all. Any repairs will, of course, come at extra cost.
A successful MOT inspection and pass results in you being given a test certificate, officially known as a VT20. Keep this safe as it’s your record and receipt of the inspection, and it will also note the date you’ll need to book your next MOT – no later than 12 months’ time. Your details will also be updated on the national MOT database.
We’ll also notify you when your MOT is due, plenty of time in advance, so you can quickly and conveniently arrange your MOT appointment with us.
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