Your MOT is the most important test for your car. It deems whether the car is roadworthy, while giving advice on areas that need putting right immediately, or suggestions for the near future.
Although it’s quite a basic test, compared to say, a service, it is thorough enough to take care of your safety on the road.
Find the right MOT Centre Locally
Obviously, price plays a part in selecting where to book your car’s MOT, but for me service, quality of work and quality of parts all rank equally as important for me. But when considering a MOT centre, it is essential that you go to a reliable place to avoid any inconvenience later. For example, if you’re local, Experts of Ossett Tyre House will help you book your MOT test in Wakefield – without any trouble.
How you can prepare for your MOT
I’m usually hopeless with anything technical, especially when it comes to cars, but there are a few basic checks you can perform on your own car before you send it for its MOT. These little things can help save you money on really basic fixes, and it’s also helpful to avoid any surprises.
- Check tyre pressure, both too low and too high are bad so read your manual to find out the ideal tyre pressure for your model.
- Check tread on tyres. You might not be able to change them yourself, but it’s nice to be prepared if they need replacing.
- Top up oil levels. My car tells me when it’s time to top up, but if yours doesn’t, your should make regular checks.
- Keep screen wash and antifreeze topped up too.
- Check your windscreen wipers are performing properly, if not, they might need changing.
- Ask someone to help you check your lights (you should do this regularly anyway because it’s dangerous to drive around with a vital bulb out, but it helps to be prepared before your MOT.
Winter car maintenance
Car maintenance in winter is especially important because bad weather conditions can impair your driving safety. It’s essential to ensure your brakes are working as they should and your tyres are able to grip the road.
If the tread on your tyres is low, there is likely to be less friction, meaning your car is more likely to skid (especially in icy conditions). Winter tyres are available, so this might be something to consider if conditions near you get particularly treacherous.
It’s also really important to make sure your clear your windscreen properly. If it’s been snowing, scrape the ice off the roof of your car as well as your windscreen. If your windscreen steams up or your screenwash is frozen, keep the car running in the drive a bit longer until it’s safe to start your journey.
Extra safety precautions
I live in an area that has a lot of windy road and skinny, sharp corners. I also live near a straight stretch of road that is a main route. The main route takes longer to get to where I’m going most days, but in icy weather I always avoid the minor roads where possible.
Major roads will have been gritted ready for the poor weather, so it makes sense to avoid the lesser-travelled routes, even if they normally take less time. Main roads will be much safer to travel on in snowy or icy conditions, so plan your route accordingly before you set off.
