MOT
TEST INFORMATION
Extracts
reproduced from the MOT Inspection Manual by kind permission of
THE VEHICLE INSPECTORATE.
The
MOT is effectively the examination of a motor vehicle's safety-related
systems components to ensure that they have not worn to an excessive
level which would otherwise render the vehicle unsafe for use on
the road.
It
is possible for items to pass the MOT inspection and yet still be
regarded as past their service life at a routine service.
Fortunately garages which do have a current MOT Testing permit and
the necessary specialised training will not judge normal wear of
a component as being an MOT 'failure', whereas a less experienced
servicing mechanic would not appreciate the distinction.
By utilising the services of an MOT Testing Centre you are likely
to save time and money and reduce the risk of Appeals to the Vehicle
Inspectorate where you car may have been failed on the wrong grounds.
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BRAKES
Inside
the car
Anti-lock braking system (if fitted) Warning lamp is checked for:
• Function.
• Sequence of operation. Footbrake
• Reserve travel on the footbrake so
that it does not go down to the floor
• Pedal rubber not worn to excess
• Correct operation of the servo assistance
system.
Reserve
brake
This could be a handbrake or a footbrake.
Checked for reserve travel so that it does not reach the stops on
application.
The mountings will be checked for security and /or corrosion.
Under
bonnet checks
• Master cylinder and servo unit
are checked for fluid leaks with the engine on and the brakes applied.
• Servo unit will be checked to ensure
it is operating correctly.
• Visible metal or flexible brake pipes
will be checked for corrosion, condition, breakages or leaks.
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Under
Vehicle checks
With an assistant applying load
to the
footbrake:
• Flexible brake pipes and any other
metal brake pipes visible beneath the car are checked
• Disks and drums checked for condition
and contamination
• Brake back plates and calliper securing
devices are checked for condition and security
• Condition of
the brake pads will be checked if visible
• An assistant
operates the handbrake while the condition of the linkages and/or
cables
is checked.
• On some vehicles there will be a brake
compensating valve beneath the car which will need to be inspected
for fluid leaks
Brake
performance check
The performance of the front and rear brakes will be checked for
efficiency and balance using specialised equipment.
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DOORS
Both
front doors must be capable of being opened from the inside and
outside and all doors must latch securely.
Tailgates,
bootlids etc.
All
these items, including the tailboards and dropsides of trucks must
be capable of being secured in the closed position.
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EMISSIONS
These
are checked using specialised equipment, the details of the check
depending on the year that the vehicle was first used on the road.
Excessive smoking is a reason for failure. Diesel emissions are
checked by using a smoke meter.
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FUEL
SYSTEM
Any
fuel leak will result in a fail. Checked under the bonnet and throughout
the run of the fuel line from the fuel tank to the engine.
• The fuel filler cap must fasten securely
• The seal in the cap must not be torn,
deteriorated or missing
• No other defect should be present which
could cause fuel to leak out.
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HORN
•
Operation.
• Control should be easily reached by
the driver.
• Volume must be sufficiently audible
to pedestrians and other vehicles.
• The tone should not consist of a sequential
multi-tone.
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LIGHTS
All
required lights are checked for:
• Operation.
• Condition.
• Security.
Side
lights and headlamps:
• Acceptable make/model.
• Dip and aim must be within specified
perameters Stop lights, indicators and hazard lights*
• Acceptable make/model
• Lights,indicators and hazard lights
must not interfere with each other whilst in operation.
• Indicators, stop lights and hazard
warning lights function. Rear fog lamps**
• Must be fitted to the centre or offside
of the vehicle.
• Tell-tale must work.
• Must not be affected by other lamps
and not be obscured.
• Must be red.
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Number
plate lamps
All
original lamps must be fitted and working.
Rear
reflectors
There must be two reflectors fitted reasonably symmetrically,
securely attached and not obscured.
* Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April
1986, but if fitted, must be tested.
** Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April
1980.
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MIRRORS
Not
all mirrors on all vehicles are subject to Test, depending on the
age of the vehicle. Those mirrors which must be checked must be:
•
Secure
• Visible from the drivers seat
• Not distorted or damaged so as to seriously
impair the drivers view to the rear.
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REGISTRATION
PLATES AND VIN* (Vehicle Identification Number)
For
registered vehicles the plate must be:
•
Present
• Secure
• Not faded, dirty or obscured
• Be composed with correctly formed
letters and spacing
The
VIN number must be
• Permanently displayed
• Consistent · Legible.
* Required on all vehicles first used on or after 1st August 1980.
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SEAT
BELTS
Most
vehicles after 1965 must have seat belts, irrespective of that requirement,
all seat belts fitted to any vehicle must be inspected for:
•
Security of seat belt mountings and locking stalks
• Security and operation of the locking/release
mechanism
• Condition of webbing
• Retraction of the belt (it is permissable
to manually feed it in).
Notes:
1 For technical reasons the inertia locking mechanism is not
checked.
2 On some vehicles the belt is attached to the seat, in which
case the security of the seat to the vehicle would also constitute
part of the seat belt check.
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SEATS
•
The driver's and the front passenger's seats must be secure
• All seat backs must be securable in
the upright position.
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STEERING
Inside
the car checks
•
Steering wheel and steering column:
•
Steering wheel condition
•
The steering wheel must be securely attached to the steering shaft
•
The
upper bearings of the steering
column are inspected for wear
• The steering shaft is checked for excessive
end float
• Clamping bolts security
• The split pins and locking nuts
• The 'free play' in the steering
• Flexible couplings and universal joints.
Under the bonnet
checks
Vary according to the vehicle;
Some of these items cannot be observed from under the bonnet on
some makes and models. However in all cases checks
will be made for:
• The security of the steering rack or
steering box and its mountings
• Any discernible play in the steering
joints
• Swivel joints which form part of the
steering system which can be readily inspected from under the bonnet
will obviously be inspected.
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•
Whilst the vehicle stands on
special Swivel plates the wheels are turned from lock to lock and
checked to ensure that wheels and tyres do not foul of either the
structure of the vehicle or any brake pipes or hoses.
• Wheel bearings are checked.
• Steering rack gaiters/front outer constant
velocity joint boots are examined.
• Metal and rubber bushes are checked
as
Under
vehicle checks
• All the steering joints.
• Power steering systems.
• Security of attachment of the steering
rack or steering box is checked both with respect to tightness of
the nuts and bolts, and structural cracking or corrosion of the
vehicle chassis where it is attached.
•
Also, split pins/locking nuts and other locking or retaining devices
relate to steering components. Some cars have an element of rear
wheel steering which is checked from beneath the car. The front
suspension is checked, but also the rear for:
• Excessive wear to Wheel bearings.
• Condition of front drive shafts/CV
joints.
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SUSPENSION
Under
bonnet checks
•
Upper suspension joints
•
Any other suspension components which
can be inspected from beneath the bonnet
Under
vehicle checks
Both the front and rear suspension are checked to ensure.
• No split pins or nuts missing, no components
broken or bent
• Road springs function effectively,
no excessive wear
• Suspension joints function effectively,
no excessive wear
• Shock absorbers must not leak and must
be secure (the vehicle will be 'bounced' by the Tester to check
that they damp the springs adequately).
Suspension
is checked for wear by the assistant applying loads in various ways
with the wheels jacked up whilst the Tester observes the result
from beneath the vehicle.
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TYRES/WHEELS
Tyre
condition
A
failure with respect to tyre wear will result where:-
The
grooves of the tread pattern are not at least 1.6mm throughout a
continuous band comprising:
• Central 3/4 of the breadth of tread
• Entire outer circumference of the tyre.
Tyres
must be correctly matched with regard to:
• Type
• Size
• Structure
• Location on the vehicle with respect
to the axles.
Also
examined:
• General condition of tyre
• Condition of valve
Tyres
fail if they have serious cuts, bulges or other damage. The wear
on the tyre is checked with a tyre tread depth gauge to ensure compliance.
The tyres are examined to ensure that there is no fouling with any
part of the vehicle.
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Note:
The condition of the spare tyre is not part of the MOT.
Wheel
condition
Inspection to reveal:
• Damage
• Distortion
• Cracks
• Distorted bead rims
• How securely attached to the vehicle
• No wheel-nuts or studs missing
An
externally fitted spare wheel or spare wheel carrier must not be
so insecure that it is likely to fall off.
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VEHICLE
STRUCTURE
Body
condition and security
•
The vehicle body must not insecure or displaced so as to constitute
a risk of loss of control of the vehicle when driven, or a danger
to other road users.
•
There must be no dangerous sharp edges or projections caused by
corrosion or
damage
Corrosion
A vehicle can fail with respect to corrosion for:
•
Excessive corrosion in a 'prescribed area' - within 30 cms of certain
components, e.g. brakes, steering, suspension, seat belt mountings
etc.
•
Excessive corrosion in
a 'prescribed area', but which is likely to adversely affect the
vehicle's brakes or steering.
Note
'Excessive corrosion' can mean a hole or a significantly weakened
structure.
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WINDSCREEN
The
inspection has to ascertain all items affecting the driver's view
of the road: the condition of the windscreen, the wipers and washers.
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