A simple pre-MOT check each year could help drivers keep hundreds of pounds in their pocket when they eventually sell their car.
With more people buying cars through online auction sites, checks once done in person are now being replaced by a quick look at a vehicle's MOT record. Annual MOT reports are freely accessible by searching a registration plate, making them one of the easiest ways for buyers to assess whether to finalise a deal.
Buying habits are changing
Research from AA Cars found that as many as 25% of UK drivers have purchased a vehicle online without checking it in person. A previous poll of 15,000 drivers also found that 54% checked MOT and service history forms before agreeing to a deal.
A bad MOT history can reduce a car's market value. With failure rates sitting around 28% last year, the chance of not passing is higher than many might think. Recurring advisories can knock as much as 15% off the market price, potentially costing sellers hundreds of pounds.
Keeping your MOT history clean
Back-to-back passes show a car has consistently remained in good condition and that previous owners have looked after it. To avoid having a pile of failed tests on a report, many garages now offer a pre-MOT test.
This early inspection focuses on key components known to fail annual checks, including headlights, tyres and fluid levels, to find simple faults that may have been overlooked.
What a pre-MOT costs
Pre-MOT tests, also called vehicle health checks, are offered by most garages, with costs varying depending on how much a driver wants checked. Road users should budget to pay around the same as a full MOT test - £54.85. That would need to be paid again for the actual MOT, effectively doubling the annual cost.
It may seem a lot, but those thinking of selling in the near future could save hundreds by keeping their vehicle health record in the green.
