Motorists travelling to an MOT appointment could be penalised up to £2,500 for breaking a rule that often slips under the radar. As evenings get darker and wintry weather raises the chances of icy patches and snow, making sure your car is safe to drive and fit for the road before you set off matters more than ever.
GOV.UK reminds people that there are only two possible outcomes for drivers: they either pass the MOT or fail it. National explains: "MOT stands for Ministry of Transport. The Ministry of Transport introduced the MOT test in 1960 to check vehicle safety, exhaust emissions, and overall roadworthiness."
If your vehicle passes, your result will be recorded in the MOT database. You can keep driving with no issue.
£2,500 fine, three points and a ban
However, if drivers get a "major" or "dangerous" result, their vehicle will fail the test. "You might not be allowed to drive until you fix the problems. You might also get a list of 'minor' or 'advisory' problems to monitor or fix in the future", GOV.UK adds.
If it fails, drivers "can 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."
This means you can only take your vehicle away if your current MOT is still valid and no 'dangerous' problems were listed in the MOT. GOV.UK continues: "Otherwise, you'll need to get it repaired before you can drive. If you can take your vehicle away, it must still meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times."
3-year rule and a £1k fine
Drivers must get an MOT for their vehicle by either the third anniversary of its registration or the anniversary of its last MOT, if it's over 3 years old.
Remember: if your MOT has expired, you must not drive or leave your vehicle parked on the road. If you're caught, you could be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £1,000 for driving without a valid MOT. The only exceptions are to drive it to or from somewhere to be repaired, or to a pre-arranged MOT test.
How long does an MOT take and what is covered?
Motoring expert at RAC explains the test can last 45 minutes to an hour. If any faults are found and repairs are needed afterwards, it can of course take longer.
During the test, the following areas are inspected: suspension, including shock absorbers and any corrosion and wear; mirrors, wipers and windscreen, including any damage to the windscreen and condition of the wiper blades; Vehicle Identification Number (VPN), ensuring the vehicle displays its VPN is important; tyres, including tread depth and condition; seat belts and seats; steering, including the strength and condition of the steering wheel; exhaust and emissions, including checking for any leaks in the exhaust and fuel system; brakes, including overall condition of pedals and brake efficiency; and electrical equipment, including headlights, brake lights, indicators and fog lights.
RAC further adds that the "three most common reasons for MOT failure are": suspension, including springs, shock absorbers and suspension joints; brakes, including brake pads, discs, parking brake and ABS system; and lights and signals, including headlights, brake lights and indicators.
For more information, visit GOV.UK on how to book an MOT.
