MOT Information

Read the information below to find out what happens if your vehicle fails it's MOT. You will also find some useful information to help you prepare for your vehicles MOT test.

Retest Information - If your vehicle fails it's MOT

Should the vehicle fail, you will be issued with a VT3O Certificate stating the reasons causing the car to fail. Be sure that you are clear about what rectification is required for a pass to be issued. In certain cases expert or special services may be required regarding emissions or welding. These repairs can be carried out by CCM and we will be more than happy to give you an accurate quotation before works commence.  

If your vehicle is brought back to the MOT testing station before the end of the next working day on or more of the following items then you will not be charged an additional fee:

Bonnet
Boot lid
Brake pedal antislip
Direction indicators
Doors
Dropsides
Fuel filler cap
Hazard warning
Horn
Lamps
Loading door
Mirrors
Rear reflectors
Registration plates
Seat belts
Seats
Sharp edges
Steering wheel
Tailboard
Tailgate

Towbars
VIN
Windscreen and glass
Wipers and washers
Wheels and tyres

If the vehicle is left at the MOT testing station for repair and is retested before the end of 10 working days following the day of failure, then only a partial retest is needed for which no fee is charged.

If the vehicle is removed from the testing station for repair and returned for retest within 10 working days following the day of failure, then only a partial retest is needed and a partial retest fee is charged.

Click here to see our MOT price list

In any other case a full re-examination is required and the full MOT test fee is charged. This is normally half the retail test fee.

Your re-test will be free if the vehicle is left with CCM to repair and we perform a partial re-test within 10 working days of the original test.

So to recap - if you bring your car in to us for an MOT and it fails on item(s) that are not in the list above and you take the vehicle away and either fix it yourself or get another garage to fix it you will need to bring it back for a partial re-test within 10 working days to get the partial re-test fee which is half the full test fee.

If you bring it back outside of 10 working days then we will have to perform a complete MOT test and will charge the full MOT fee, this is because we are obliged to carry out a full test from scratch on your car or van.

If you leave your vehicle with us to repair and re-test within 10 working days then only a partial retest will be necessary and this will be free. A partial retest is where we examine only the items that you vehicle failed on during the full MOT test. 

If your vehicle fails on the partial re-test then the vehicle will have to have a full MOT test when you bring it back again and the full current fee will be charged. Please understand that these charges and the application of them is governed by VOSA the vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

A vehicle that is in good condition, that has been regularly serviced and maintained to manufacturer's specification, should be able to pass the test. However it must be remembered that items can deteriorate between services and tests.

The condition of corrosion is not easily checked and is best left to be examined during the test.

Items which can be easily checked by the owner or driver such as lights, windscreen washers, wipers, horn, mirrors, seatbelts and tyres (including pressures) should be done so regularly and just prior to the test. It can be very frustrating to receive a failure for one empty washer bottle, a torn wiper blade and stop lamp bulb not working, not least illegal.

Get someone to stand outside the car while all lights front, rear and hazard are checked. Replace or repair if broken or faulty.

Ensure that the number plates and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate are clean and legible.

Remember to check indicators.

Check suspension by applying your weight to each corner of the car then release. The car should settle down quickly.

Check the operation of footbrakes and handbrakes. Also check Anti Lock breaking systems (ABS) light operation if fitted.

Check that seatbelts operate correctly.

The examination of the tyres does not include the spare. A tyre depth of 1.6mm is the legal minimum requirement. Check tyres are inflated making sure they are not damaged. Whilst the spare tyre is not part of the test it is to be advised that a correctly inflated and legal tyre should be carried.

Check the driver's view for damage to the windscreen. Testers will check that damage is no larger than 40mm in the whole of the swept area of the screen and that in the central view of the driver, called Zone A which is 290mm wide (within the swept area and centred on the steering wheel), any damage is no larger than 10mm wide.

To check the exhaust start the engine and from the rear of the vehicle listen for excessive noise which could indicate an exhaust leak. Emission checks are an important part of the test. Regular servicing should alleviate problems with emissions.

Check under the bonnet to ensure that the brake fluid reservoir, windscreen washer bottle and engine oil reserves are topped up correctly.

A general check around the vehicle should be made to ensure that the car's fuel cap is secure, mirrors are in good condition, wipers are not damaged, or split and locks work.

And finally... make sure you take your V5C Vehicle Registration Document and current MOT certificate to the test. The MOT Test is not a substitute for the servicing of a vehicle or a statement of the condition of a vehicle offered for sale.

Electrical Car Lighting

This includes operative (Headlights - Low beam & High beam, Sidelights, brake lights, side repeaters, No. plate lights, Drivers side Fog light, Hazard warning lights and indicators both number plates should be clearly visible with no cracks.

Car seats

This includes car seatbelts, buckles/fastenings seat runners/mountings being free from rust structurally sound and in correct working order.

Car Mirrors, Windscreen, Windshield and Wipers/Washers

All glass should be free from cracks and mirrors fitted correctly. Stone chips are acceptable.

Doors, Locks and Handles

All car doors should shut correctly and be secure.

External Car Bodywork & Chassis

This includes sills, sharp edges e.g. cracked bumpers with protruding edges, The car has to be structurally sound therefore free from corrosion where structure is integral to the vehicle.

Engine Bay

Inspection including fuel & brake lines free from rust and fluid.

Exhaust System including CAT If Required

The exhaust system including downpipe, manifold & rear silencer have to be sealed correctly, no rattles or excessive emissions, the emission acceptance Level is 4, anything under this is acceptable.

Car Tyres

All need to be of the legal tread 1.6m depth across 70% of the complete tyre and have no splits, gashes, bulges or illegal repairs e.g. tyre wall repairs - including the spare wheel. The Wheels & bearings need to be working order with no play, a tell tale sign of a bearing on its way out is a whirr from the wheel when cornering usually only in one direction.

Suspension

All shock absorbers, mountings, boots, bushes need to be free from corrosion and all dampers have to be free from leaks. TIP A good way to test the shocks is the bounce test if you push the car down on one corner, and it returns the shock is generally ok.

Steering

This should be smooth, with all steering boots, joints & rack in working order with no excessive play.

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.

Car brakes

These have to be free from leaks and brake condition including brake pipes be in working order, the vehicle also should not pull either way when braking or irregular movement e.g. snatching.

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Call us on 01293 871 430