25 Years of Experience
Our MOT (Ministry of Transport) test station primarily functions to conduct the annual statutory inspection of vehicles to ensure they meet the minimum road safety and environmental standards required by law.
Here is a summary of what an MOT station, and the DVSA-approved MOT Tester within it, is responsible for doing:
⚙️ The Primary Function: Conducting the Test
The core duty of an MOT station is to perform a thorough, non-invasive inspection of the vehicle according to the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) Inspection Manual for the relevant MOT class.
The test is a check of a vehicle's roadworthiness at the time of the test. It typically covers the following major areas:
Area of Inspection | Key Checks Made |
Visibility | Windscreen (damage/cracks), windscreen wipers, washer jets, and mirrors. |
Braking System | Performance (tested on a rolling road or plate brake tester), condition of components (discs, drums, pads, pipes, fluid leaks), and ABS/ESC warning lights. |
Lighting & Electrics | Condition, security, operation, and correct colour/aim of all lights (headlights, indicators, brake lights, fog lights, etc.). Horn operation is also checked. |
Tyres & Wheels | Tyre condition, security, size, type, and minimum legal tread depth ($1.6 \text{mm}$ for cars). |
Steering & Suspension | Condition of components (springs, shock absorbers, bearings, steering column) for wear, damage, or excessive play. |
Body, Structure & Chassis | Checking for excessive corrosion or damage in vital structural areas, and ensuring there are no dangerous sharp edges. |
Emissions | Testing the vehicle's exhaust gases to ensure they meet the legal limits for the vehicle's age and fuel type. Checking the exhaust system is secure and free of serious leaks. |
Interior/Safety | Condition and security of all mandatory seat belts, seats, and the correct function of the driver's controls and dashboard warning lights. |
Vehicle ID | Checking the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plates are present, legible, and correct. |
📋 After the Test: Issuing the Result
- Recording the Result: The MOT Tester records all details on the official MOT Testing Service (MTS) computer system.
- Pass (VT20 Certificate): If the vehicle meets all the required standards, a Pass certificate (VT20) is issued electronically.
- Fail (VT30 Certificate): If the vehicle fails, a Refusal of MOT Test Certificate (VT30) is issued. This document lists the failures, which are categorised as:
- Dangerous: Direct and immediate risk to road safety or the environment (e.g., severe brake failure). This results in an immediate fail, and the vehicle should not be driven until repaired.
- Major: May prejudice safety, seriously affect the environment, or put other road users at risk (e.g., a broken light).
- Minor: No significant effect on safety or the environment but should be repaired (e.g., a non-major crack in a light lens).
- Advisories: The Tester may also note any items that are close to failing (e.g., worn tyres or brake pads) as Advisories on the certificate, recommending the owner monitors them.