Car MOT in Woolwich | MOT Price £30 | When do I need to MOT my car?

MOT Centre based in Woolwich

When do you need to MOT your vehicle?

To check your vehicle's MOT status and history click here

New MOT rules 2012

What is the MOT?

The MOT scheme is there to ensure consistent standards. The scheme is monitored by Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and includes:

Supervising approximately 18,300 garages authorised to carry out MOTs
Documenting all test methods and standards
Documenting standards of facilities, equipment, repute, experience, competence, qualifications and administration of those carrying out MOT testing
Providing training of authorised examiners (AE) & nominated testers (NT)
Providing training in test methods and administration, to those involved in the MOT testing scheme (whose standards are agreed with the Department for Transport)
Ensuring standards for testing and conditions of appointment for AE's and NT's are set
Authorising MOT test stations and NTs
Checking testing standards are maintained
Taking disciplinary action against AE's and NT's who fail to meet the required MOT testing standards
Dealing with appeals and other complaints from MOT customers

When do you need to MOT your vehicle?

Every vehicle in the UK needs to be testing each year to ensure that it complies with at least the minimum road safety and environmental standards. If you have a vehicle that is more than three years old, it will need an MOT test.

About the MOT

The first test is required once a vehicle is three years old. There are different rules if you use it as a taxi. When your vehicle is tested, the MOT looks at some important items to see if it meets legal requirements. You should be aware that the MOT certificate is not a guarantee of the general mechanical condition of a vehicle.

When your vehicle needs testing

If a vehicle is registered with no prior use on the road, the MOT will be required three years after the date of registration. For example, a vehicle registered 'from new' on 1 April 2004 will require its MOT no later than 1 April 2007.

If a vehicle is used prior to registration, as would be the case with an import, the MOT will be required three years from the end of the year of manufacture. For example a vehicle manufactured at any time in 2004 will require an MOT no later than 31 December 2007.There is no grace period given after these dates. An MOT can be carried out at any time

If the vehicle is tested within the calendar month prior to when the MOT is due, the test certificate will run from the date of the test to one year after the expiry date of the current certificate. For example, if the current certificate was due to expire on 1 April 2007, and the vehicle was presented on or after 2 March 2007, the certificate would run from the test date until 1 April 2008.

Your MOT certificate

The need for an MOT certificate.

It is generally an offence to use on a public road, a vehicle of testable age that doesn't have a current test certificate, except when:

Taking it to a test station for a test booked in advance
Bringing it away from a test station after it has failed the test, to a place of repair
Taking it or bringing it away from a place where, by previous arrangement, repairs are to be made or have been made to fix the problems that caused the vehicle to fail its test
Event in the above circumstances you may still be prosecuted for driving an un- roadworthy vehicle if it doesn't comply with various regulations affecting its construction and use. Also, the insurance may not be valid.
It is your responsibility as the vehicle owner to ensure that the due MOT test is carried out in time. Please use the peel of reminder sticker on the front of the MOT certificate and put it in a place where you'll be reminded of the expiry ate, like the sun visor or the back of the tax disc holder facing inside the vehicle.

You should take your MOT certificate with you when you apply for a new tax disc at the Post Office. If you have a new style MOT certificate you can choose to re-licence your car online.

New MOT rules 2012?

There are lots of new rules being applied to the MOT this year, they are in effect as advisories from January but will be applied in full from April. Below is a list of some of the major changes.

Catalytic Converters - if the Catalytic Converter is missing it will fail
Drive Shafts - excessively worn drive shaft support bearings will fail
Fuel pipes or hoses - excessively chafed or damaged will fail
CV/Drive shaft boots wear at BOTH ends of the drive shaft will now fail
Steering - all aspects of the steering will be tested thoroughly, any faults, or wear will fail
Inappropriate repairs - or modifications to brakes/suspension/steering will fail
Engine mountings - missing or deteriorated enough to allow movement will fail
Dash warning lights - all warning lights will be tested
Batteries - will fail if insecure or leaking
Electrical wiring - will fail if it is insecure, damaged or deteriorated
Drivers seat - not adjustable forwards and backwards and lockable will fail
The steering lock - will be tested and will fail if not working as intended
Doors - Now all other passenger doors must be able to open from the outside
Mirrors - For most cars mirrors are now required, one of which must be the offside
Trailer sockets - will now be tested

For more information and to see how these changes will affect you, get in touch