Getting your vehicle through its MOT test doesn’t need to be stressful. Many Streatham motorists experience test failures due to preventable issues that require minimal time and expense to address. Understanding these common problems helps you prepare properly and increases your chances of passing the first time.
Visibility Issues That Cause Failures
Registration plates obscured by dirt represent a frequent failure point. Testers must clearly read your number plate, and accumulated grime prevents this. Before your appointment, clean both front and rear plates using soapy water. This simple two-minute task eliminates an easily avoidable failure.
Windscreen damage also catches many drivers unprepared. Chips exceeding 10mm within the wiper sweep area constitute failures, as do cracks larger than 40mm in the driver’s direct sight line. Professional chip repairs typically cost under £50 and prevent more expensive full screen replacements. Many insurance policies include windscreen cover, making repairs even more affordable.
Lighting System Checks
Bulb failures account for numerous unsuccessful tests. Every exterior light must function correctly, including headlights, brake lights, indicators, and number plate illumination. Conduct a complete lighting check the evening before your test. Have someone operate the controls while you verify each light works properly. Brake lights particularly require checking since you cannot see them whilst driving.
Replacement bulbs cost very little, making bulb-related failures especially frustrating. Taking ten minutes to inspect your lighting system saves the inconvenience of a failed test and retest fees.
Dashboard Warning Indicators
Illuminated warning lights guarantee mot streatham failure. Engine management lights, ABS warnings, and airbag indicators must all be extinguished during testing. Even if your vehicle drives normally, active warning lights signal underlying faults requiring attention.
Before your test date, have your car’s diagnostics checked. Sometimes warnings stem from simple sensor issues requiring resets. Other times, they indicate genuine problems needing repairs. Either way, addressing them beforehand prevents test day disappointments.
Washer Bottle and Spray Function
An empty screenwash reservoir results in automatic failure. Additionally, washers must spray correctly onto the windscreen. Blocked jets spraying at incorrect angles also cause failures.
Fill your washer bottle completely the night before testing. Test the spray pattern while stationary. Blocked jets can usually be cleared using a pin or thin wire within minutes, preventing an unnecessary failure for this basic maintenance item.
Pre-Test Preparation Strategy
Smart motorists book pre-MOT inspections at their chosen garage. These informal checks identify potential failure points before the official test. Some facilities offer complimentary pre-checks, whilst others charge modest fees between £10-£20. This investment proves worthwhile because you discover issues with time to address them properly.
Fuel Level Considerations
Emissions testing requires running your engine for several minutes. Arriving with insufficient fuel, particularly in diesel vehicles, can complicate this process. Adding £20 worth of fuel before your appointment ensures adequate supply for complete testing procedures.
Choosing the Right Test Centre
Select an mot streatham centre that provides repair services alongside testing. This approach streamlines the process if failures occur. Rather than transporting your vehicle between multiple locations, comprehensive facilities can test, repair, and retest efficiently, saving considerable time and reducing stress.
Final Recommendations
Most MOT failures stem from minor, easily remedied issues rather than serious mechanical faults. Investing thirty minutes in pre-test inspection typically places you ahead of many drivers who face avoidable failures.
The MOT test examines whether basic safety and environmental systems function correctly. It’s designed to ensure roadworthiness, not to create obstacles. By addressing simple maintenance items beforehand, you significantly improve your passing prospects and avoid the inconvenience of retesting.
Regular vehicle maintenance between annual tests also helps. Addressing minor issues as they arise prevents them accumulating into multiple failure points. This proactive approach makes MOT tests straightforward annual formalities rather than stressful ordeals. Taking responsibility for basic pre-test checks demonstrates good vehicle ownership and saves money on retest fees whilst keeping your car legally roadworthy throughout the year.
