What is an MOT and why is it essential?

In the UK it is a legal requirement to have an MOT certificate in order to drive a car on public roads. MOT stands for Ministry of Transport which is the name for an old branch of the government which was in charge of all things transport. Despite the department no longer existing, the name is still used. The MOT certificate is awarded following the successful completion of a test performed by licensed garages. The MOT tests a vehicles safety, road worthiness and exhaust fumes in order to make sure that every vehicle on Britain's roads is as safe as possible. The test must be passed every year and if it is failed, the vehicle must be made to meet the standards before a certificate can be issued. An MOT can be performed by any garage with a certified MOT tester, as approved by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).



What the MOT Tests for



Body and Vehicle structure: check to see if there is any part of the body work or structural damage or deformation which can cause injury or which makes the vehicle unsafe



Fuel System: check to see if the hoses and pipes are leak free, connected properly and that the fuel cap is working



Emissions: this involves sticking a probe up the tailpipe to read how much pollutants the vehicle emits. Depending on the age of vehicle, different levels can be a fail.



Exhaust system: check to see that the whole system is secure, doesn't make excessive noise or have any gaps.



Seat Belts: check that there is the right amount and that they are in working order without any damage.



Seats: check that all seats are held in place and that they can all stay upright.



Doors: that they are all there and that they can all be opened from the inside and out.



Mirrors: All rear view and wing mirrors must be in place and undamaged.



Boot: Must be lockable.



Brakes: Must all work properly, stop the vehicle to a certain standard.



Tyres and wheels: Must all have enough tread, be the right size, type, and be in good condition.



Registration plate: Must be legible and held in pace properly.



Other items tested include: lights, bonnet, wipers and washers, windscreen, horn, steering and suspension and the vehicle identification number.



You must have you vehicle MOT'd every 12 months or it will not be road legal. In this case you might find yourself looking for a taxi in Belfast or a train in Edinburgh. While Belfast taxi fares are pretty reasonable, you certainly want your car available when you need it.



There are thousands of garages around the country, so unless you live on an inaccessible island with no ferry service, bridge or other way to get to a test centre, you may be in trouble without one.