MOT Test Details

• Steering wheel must be in an acceptable condition
• Steering wheel must be securely attached to the steering shaft
• The steering lock mechanism must be present, operating correctly and engaging properly.
• Power steering warning lamp must not be illuminated.
• Upper bearings of the steering column are tested for excessive wear.
• Steering shaft must not have excessive end float.
• Clamping bolts must all be secure.
• Split pins and locking nuts must all be secure.
• Free play in the steering must be within the limits
• All flexible couplings and universal joints are checked

If it can be observed.

• Security of the steering rack/box and the mountings.
• Play in steering joints
• Any other swivel joints which form part of the steering system.

• All steering joints will be inspected, while steering is under load.
• Power steering systems are checked with engine running.
• Power steering fluid is checked with engine switched off.
• Steering rack/box is checked that the nuts/bolts are tight and there is no structural cracking or corrosion of the chassis where it is attached.
• Wheels are checked for smoothness of turning and to ensure that they do not touch the vehicle structure or any brake pipes or hoses.
• Wheel bearings are checked.
• Steering rack gaiters and constant velocity joint boots are examined.
• Ball joint dust covers are inspected to ensure they are not allowing dirt to ingress.
• Bushes, split pins, locking nuts, along with any other locking/retaining devices are checked which relate to steering components.
• Rear wheel steering is checked if present.
• Any repairs or modification to steering linkage or power steering must be appropriate.
• Steering stop lock must be present on cars which have it fitted as standard.
• Steering box must not be showing signs of a significant oil leak.
• Power steering fluid must be above the minimum level.
• Power steering pipes and hoses must not be damaged, corroded or fouling.
• Power steering components must not be fouling or misaligned if they are on an external power steering system.
• Drive shafts (excluding prop shaft) support must not be worn excessively and coupling gaiter must be present and preventing the ingress of dirt.

All required lights are checked for:

• Presence
• Condition
• Operation
• Security

Required Lights:

• Headlamps (also checked for alignment)
• Sidelights (known as position lamps)
• Side marker lamps and end outline marker lamps
• Stop lamps
• Daytime running lamps
• Direction indicators and hazard warning lamps
• Front fog lamps
• Rear fog lamps
• Reversing lamps
• Rear registration plate lamps
• Rear reflectors

This section covers the condition of the general structure of the vehicle (body) – including rust, corrosion etc. but doesn’t include ‘prescribed areas’ – parts of the structure to which testable items such as brakes, steering, suspension and seat belt mountings etc. are attached. Corrosion or rust in ‘prescribed’ areas will result in a ‘fail’. The condition of ‘prescribed areas’ for these items is covered under their respective headings.

Inspections: The following additional inspections will be required regarding the condition of your vehicle’s structure, its body, and whether or not anything is likely to become detached (insecure), and so cause a hazard to other drivers.
The following inspections still apply, including body condition (corrosion) and components such as spoilers, bumpers and mirror housings.
There must be no dangerous sharp edges or projections caused by rust, corrosion or damage which is dangerous to other road users including pedestrians.

Vehicle structure: The vehicle structure must be intact with regard to:
A ‘main load-bearing structural member’ which will fail if it is:
Fractured or deformed such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced
Fractured or deformed such that steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected
Strengthening plates and fastenings will fail if they are:
Insecure
Fractured or deformed and likely to affect braking and steering
Structural corrosion can also cause a failure if:
The rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
The vehicle’s steering and braking is adversely affected

General corrosion A vehicle can also fail with respect to corrosion (or rust) for:

• Excessive corrosion in a ‘prescribed area’ — within 30 cm of certain safety related components, e.g. brakes, steering, suspension, seat belt mountings etc.
• Excessive corrosion not in a ‘prescribed area’, but which is likely to adversely affect the vehicle’s braking or steering.
• ‘Excessive corrosion’ can mean a hole or a significantly weakened structure.

Engine mountings This inspection also includes gearbox mountings that provide essential support for the engine. Body corrosion close to an engine mounting will only be rejected if it’s so severe that it results in excessive movement.
Engine mountings are checked for:

• Presence
• Security
• Condition
• Body and interior
• Body condition

This inspection is for all vehicles and includes:

• all body panels
• under-trays
• spoilers
• mirror housings
• Body panels/components must not be damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when touched
• Body panels/components must be secure & not likely to become detached.
• Should there be any modifications to the body, they must be safe. An unsafe modification is one that is likely to cause injury.
• Body modifications must not be likely to adversely affect braking or steering
• Passenger compartment must not allow entry of exhaust fumes.

Bumpers Bumper must be secure & unlikely to cause injury if touched.

Floor The Tester will inspect the floor in the driver, passenger and goods carrying compartments. A floor must not be excessively deteriorated or insecure. A floor must not be likely to cause loss of control of vehicle, injury or instability,

Spare Wheel Carrier. Spare wheel carrier (if fitted) must be secure. The spare wheel must be secured in the carrier & unlikely to become detached.

Drivers Seat:

• Structure not defective & seat is secure.
• Fore & Aft adjustment mechanism works as intended.
• Back rest can remain in the upright position.
• Does not move without intention.

All other seats:

• Structure must not be defective & seat is secure.
• Back rest can remain in the upright position.
• Folded seats must be able to be lifted to check seat belts.
• All Seat Belts fitted will be inspected.
• Permanently attached child seats will be inspected.
• Seat belt anchorages including seat belt mounting points will be assessed for corrosion. strength, security & consistency. This includes anchorages for securing a disabled persons' belt or wheelchairs.

Seat belt buckles are tested by:

• Fastening the mechanism
• Trying to pull the locked sections apart
• Pressing the release button while pulling the belt, it must release when required.
• Retracting seat belts are checked that the excess webbing is wound into the retracting unit with the mechanism fastened and the seat in its rearmost position.
• All seat belt load limiters fitted will be inspected.
• All seat belt pre-tensioners fitted will be inspected.

Airbags:

• If fitted as standard OE, must be fitted
• Must be operational, with no warning lights present

Efficiency and balance of brakes is usually checked on a roller brake tester. In certain cases where a roller brake tester may not be used (for example on certain 4-wheel drive vehicles) it may be necessary to check brake efficiency and balance on a road test.

Mechanical components Unsurprisingly as a major vehicle safety system, the MOT inspection of vehicles’ brakes is extensive and complex. Whilst we have looked into this in some detail here, the key point is that all mechanical braking components that a tester can see, from under the bonnet, from inside the vehicle, or from beneath the vehicle, will need to be inspected for wear and condition.

Inside the car Anti-lock braking system (if fitted) warning lamp is checked for:

• Function
• Sequence of operation
• Footbrake

A fail applies if:

• There’s insufficient reserve travel on the footbrake (i.e. it touches the floor)
• The brake pedal rubber is excessively worn*
• Incorrect operation of the servo assistance system
• Unacceptable wear on the brake pedal pivot
• Service brake pedal or hand lever condition and travel
• A brake pedal rubber is an anti-slip material and it is therefore not regarded as a defect if it’s worn smooth.
• A brake pedal without a rubber usually has grooves or raised sections to provide grip in wet conditions and should be rejected if it’s worn smooth. However, some vehicles may have been manufactured with a brake pedal which did not incorporate grooves or the fitting of an anti-slip material and these will not be rejected.
• A brake pedal will fail if its grooves or raised grip sections are worn smooth. However, it will not be a fail if the vehicle has been manufactured with one that doesn’t have grooves or anti-slip material.
• Often a vehicle is fitted with an after-market brake pedal rubber. It isn’t a defect if the design pattern of the brake pedal rubber is worn smooth.
• A vehicle should only be failed for insufficient reserve if the pedal or lever is touching the floor/handlebar. Checks on vehicles with power-assisted braking systems should be carried out with the engine off.
• Brakes must be releasing & functioning correctly

Parking brake (‘handbrake’) This could be hand, foot or electronically operated. Checked for reserve travel so that it doesn’t reach the stops on application. The parking brake lever’s mountings will be checked for security and/or corrosion. On electronic systems a parking brake warning light illuminated is a failure.

• A parking brake lever must have obvious excessive travel before being rejected.
• The parking brake ratchet must be holding correctly
• Parking brake must be present and not defective or inoperative.

Under bonnet checks The MOT inspection requires the following checks of systems accessible within the vehicle’s engine compartment for the majority of vehicles:
Master cylinder and servo unit are checked for leaks with the engine on and the brakes applied
Master cylinder will be checked for operation.
Master cylinder must be secure.
Brake servo unit will be checked to ensure it is operating correctly*
Visible metal or flexible brake pipes will be checked for corrosion, condition, fouling or leaks
*Note: This can be checked by depressing the brake pedal with the engine running and switching off the ignition – a slight increase in the of pressure on the pedal indicates the servo is working.
Brake servo units and master cylinder (hydraulic systems)
Hydraulic brake fluid level checks are confined to transparent reservoirs or where an indicator is fitted.
Brake fluid must not be below the minimum level
Reservoir caps shouldn’t be missing
A vehicle will be failed if it can be clearly seen that the brake fluid is contaminated.
A brake fluid warning lamp may be shared with other components, for example to indicate that brake pads are worn or the parking brake is applied. Class 3 vehicles aren’t inspected for brake fluid warning lamp. Warning lamp must not be illuminated or defective.

Under vehicle checks
Flexible brake pipes and any other metal brake pipes visible beneath the car are checked
Discs and drums (external only) checked for condition and contamination
Brake back plates and caliper securing devices are checked for condition and security
Condition of the brake pads will be checked if visible
The assistant operates the handbrake and 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

Rigid brake pipes
Chafing, corrosion or damage to a rigid brake pipe so that its wall thickness is reduced by 1/3 (approximately 0.25 mm for typical hydraulic brake pipe) will fail. As it is sometimes difficult to assess this accurately, if not sure, the Tester will give the benefit of the doubt.
Brake pipes must not be likely to fail or fracture.
Brake pipes must not be damaged or excessively corroded
Brake pipes must not be leaking.
Brake pipes must be attached correctly and not likely to become detached or damaged

Flexible brake hoses
A hose which is damaged, chafed, twisted or stretched will be rejected.
Brake hose must not be damaged and likely to fail.
Brakes, hoses and connections must not be leaking.
Brake hoses must not bulge under pressure.
Brake hoses must not be porous.
Brake hose ferrules must not be excessively corroded or likely to fail.

Brake linings and pads
Some vehicles have a warning light on the dashboard to indicate that the brake pads are becoming excessively worn. Sometimes this lamp is shared with other components, such as to show that the handbrake is applied. If the warning light is lit, the Tester will fail it, unless it can be seen that there is another reason for it being lit.
Brake pads must not be worn below 1.5mm thickness.
Brake lining and pads must not be contaminated with lubricants.
Brake lining and pads must be present and correctly mounted

Brake discs and drums
A brake disc or drum will only fail if it is significantly worn, insecure, fractures or likely to fail. Being worn below the manufacturer’s recommended limits isn’t a reason in itself.
Brake discs or drums must not be contaminated.
Brake discs or drums must not be missing.
Brake drum back plate must be secure.

Brake performance check
The performance of the front and rear brakes and parking/emergency brake are checked for efficiency and balance using specialised ‘rolling road’ brake testing equipment.
Note: The brakes are checked both for efficiency of performance and their balance for equal braking side-to-side. For some vehicles the ‘rolling road’ brake test equipment cannot be used for technical reasons. In which case the Tester will drive the vehicle on the road using equipment to measure how effective the brakes are and whether they pull to one side of the other in operation.
Braking effort must be adequate and recording at the wheel.
Brake performance must be able to be tested.
Brakes must not be grabbing any wheels severely.
There must be no abnormal lag in brake operation on any wheels.
There must be no excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution.
There must be no significant brake effort recorded without the brakes being applied (indicating binding brakes).
There must not be brake imbalances across an axle so that the braking effort from one wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort of the other wheel on the same axle.
The braking effort from any wheel must not be less than 50% of the maximum effort recorded from a wheel on the steered axle.

Brake Efficiency
Calculating brake efficiency – roller brake tester
For most vehicles the MOT computer will calculate brake efficiencies automatically.
If the MOT computer isn’t working, the Tester will add the brake efforts from each wheel for the system that is being tested and carry out a calculation to determine brake efficiency.
Brake efficiency must be above the minimum requirement.

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Any ABS systems fitted will be checked.
If the ABS has been intentionally rendered inoperative, the whole system must be removed. This doesn’t apply to sensor rings or other ABS components which are an integral part of another component, such as a brake disc or drive shaft.
Device must be working & not showing any malfunction.
Wheel speed sensors must be present & not damaged
Wiring must not be damaged
Other components must be present & not damaged
It’s not permissible to remove or disable the ABS from a vehicle first used on or after 1 January 2010.

Electronic braking system (EBS)
The warning lamp operation on vehicles with an electronically controlled air braking system will be checked.
Device must be working & not show a system malfunction

• The MOT windscreen Test includes all items affecting the driver’s view of the road: the condition of the windscreen, the wipers and washers.
• Satnavs in the windscreen, furry dice, air fresheners or trinkets hanging from the mirror are not allowed. (The Tester may remove them)
• The condition of the windscreen and the windows on either side of the driver’s seat will be checked.
• The Tester will sit in the driver’s seat, check the view of the road and check the view of mandatory external mirrors for:
• Damage in windscreen zone ‘A’ more than 10mm in diameter
• Damage in the remainder of the windscreen’s swept area more than 40mm in diameter
• Damage to windows on either side of the driver’s seat
• Excessive tinting or discolouration of the windscreen or windows on either side of the driver’s seat

Wipers are checked for:

• Operation
• Extent of area swept by wipers
• Condition of wiper blades
• Windscreen washers must be working & provide sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen

All vehicle suspension systems consist of mechanical components and joints connecting the wheels to the vehicles structure via a spring system of one form or another (which isn’t necessarily a mechanical spring) which enables the wheels to move up and down according to the terrain – the bumps and depressions in the road. Due to the recent increase of pot-holes in roads, suspension failures have become more frequent, especially failures of steel springs.

Some suspension systems will be more complex than others and many of the checks cannot be done without elevating the vehicle on a specialised vehicle lift so the Tester can inspect the appropriate parts of the vehicle’s suspension from underneath.

All the mechanical joints, levers, springs and other items associated with the suspension system will be inspected (for breaks, cracks, excessive corrosion and so on), together with the condition of the vehicle’s structure to which the suspension system is attached.

Axles
Axles must not be fractured, insecure or with loose fixing bolts. The axles must not be insecure so that stability is impaired or functionality is affected.
Axles must not have any unsafe modifications. Any modifications must not affect the vehicle stability or axle functionality.

Suspension

Under bonnet checks:
Upper suspension joints.
Any other suspension components which can be inspected from beneath the bonnet.

Under vehicle checks:
This applies to both the front and the rear suspension.
No split pins or nuts are missing, no components are broken or excessively damaged.
Coil springs are checked for condition.
All suspension joints are checked for condition.
Shock absorbers must not leak and must be secure.

Coil Springs
Coil springs must be securely attached to the chassis or axle, with no loose fixings allowing visible movement.
Coil springs must not be fractured or seriously weakened. The main leaf must not be fractured.
Coil springs must be present and the directional control must not be affected.
Coil springs must have no unsafe modifications and any modifications must not affect the operation.

Shock absorbers
Shock absorbers must be present & securely attached to the chassis or axle.
Shock absorbers must not be damaged, or showing signs of major leaks.
Shock absorbers must be functional and not excessively worn.
Suspension arms, rods, struts, sub-frames, anti-roll bars etc.
All suspension components must be securely attached to the chassis or axle.
All suspension components must be present, with no impairment of directional stability.
All suspension components must not be excessively damaged or corroded.
All suspension components must not be fractured or likely to fail.
All suspension components must have no unsafe modifications and any modifications must not affect the operation or cause other components to fail.

Suspension joints, pins and bushes
Some rubber/synthetic bushes in suspension joints are designed to allow some movement.
MacPherson strut top bushes are designed to have significant lateral play when the suspension is hanging free. The Tester will only reject MacPherson strut top bushes when play is due to wear or maladjustment.
The Tester will assess wear or play in spring pins and bushes using various methods.
The suspension pins, bushes or joints must not be excessively worn or likely to become detached.
Suspension joint dust covers must not be severely deteriorated, missing or allowing the ingress of dirt.

Gas, air and fluid suspension
Suspension system must be operational.
System must not be deteriorated, damaged or modified so that the functioning of the system is adversely or seriously affected.
There must be no obvious leaks from any part of the system.

Complete suspension system
The strength and continuity of the vehicle’s load bearing members and their supporting structure or panelling around any spring, sub-frame or suspension component mounting will be checked.
The strength and continuity must not be significantly reduced or inadequately repaired and must not be weakened so that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected.

We have a designated test bay where the test is conducted, using a range of equipment that meets the required specification for MOT testing. The standard test procedures are laid out in an inspection manual.

If your vehicle has failed the test, you’ll be given a failure document with reference to this manual. You can watch the test from a designated viewing area but you are not allowed to interrupt the tester while working.

All MOT testers have been on a training course with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and their test results are checked regularly.