MOTs and servicing – what they entail and how you can avoid unexpected costs

MOTs and vehicle servicing can be an annual burden for motorists as often they can trigger unexpected and sometimes significant costs. Many drivers also don’t realise there are differences involved in the two checks, leaving them unprepared for what may be flagged.

What is the difference between a service and an MOT?

An MOT (Ministry of Transport) check is a legal requirement in which your car is assessed to ensure it meets the minimum safety and environmental standards set.

During this test, a long list of vehicle parts are checked including; brakes, the fuel system, lights, steering, the exhaust and emissions, not to mention tyres. Tyres are legally required to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm to be considered road safe, with no cuts or bulges.

Although not legally required, a service is highly recommended to keep your vehicle running safely and efficiently for as long as possible. It includes filter and oil changes, fluid top ups, brake fluid checks, testing the battery condition and inspection of the suspension components. There are two types of services – interim and full – so the level of inspection and the elements that are checked will depend on what is required for the vehicle at the time.

Both an MOT and a service are essential to keep your vehicle in good working order, which means inevitably they should be factored into your car maintenance budget. However, much of the repair work that is flagged in these scenarios can be avoided with a bit of preparation beforehand.

What checks can drivers do to avoid unnecessary costs?

Ahead of an MOT, there are a few simple and quick checks that you can carry out yourself which might just save you from a failure.

Check that your front and rear wipers are working correctly, as well as your horn.

Test your lights to ensure no bulbs are out. An effective way to do this is to face your vehicle towards a reflective surface, or ask someone to walk around the vehicle and do a visual inspection for you.

Check your tyre tread depth using the 20p test. Make sure to look over the tyres for any signs of damage, cracks or bulges too.

It’s also useful to book your MOT a few weeks in advance because if you do identify something that needs attention, this can be rectified before it is picked up in the test.

Can you drive your car if it fails its MOT?

If the issue is deemed to be dangerous, the vehicle will not be considered roadworthy and the repair will need to be carried out before you can drive the vehicle again.

Once this is complete, the vehicle will need to have a retest in order to pass.

For more information about MOT and servicing, or for any further advice on what checks you can do at home, please contact your local Davanti dealer.