A lot of MOT failures come from small things that take a minute to fix. Spend ten minutes on the driveway before you book and you can catch most of them.
The ten checks
Lights. Sit in the car or ask someone to help. Check the headlights on dip and main beam, the sidelights, the brake lights, the indicators on both sides, the hazard lights and the number plate lights.
Tyres. Look for cuts, bulges and uneven wear. The legal minimum tread depth for a car is 1.6 mm across the central three quarters of the tyre. Check the spare too if you carry one.
Windscreen. Look for chips and cracks in the area the wipers sweep, especially directly in front of the driver.
Wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing, and the washers should reach the glass. Top up the washer bottle.
Mirrors. All of them must be fitted, secure and clear enough to see through.
Horn. Press it. It must work and be loud enough to be heard by other road users.
Number plates. They must be clean, secure, the right colour and easy to read, with correct spacing and characters.
Seat belts. Pull each one out fully and let it wind back. Check the buckles click in and the webbing is not frayed.
Warning lights. When you start the engine the dashboard lights should come on and then go out. An engine, brake, airbag or ABS light that stays on can lead to a fail.
Fuel and oil. The car needs enough fuel and engine oil for the test to be carried out.
What the checklist cannot tell you
You cannot see brake wear, steering and suspension condition or the state of the underside from the driveway. That is what the tester is for. If something feels wrong when you drive, such as a pull under braking or a knock over bumps, mention it when you book your MOT.
How early can you book?
You can have the test done up to a month, minus a day, before the current certificate runs out and still keep the same renewal date. Our MOT page explains what the tester looks at and what we charge.