During the MOT, important parts on your vehicle will be checked to make sure they meet the legal standards.

You can watch the test from a viewing area but you’re not allowed to interrupt the tester.

1. About the MOT

The MOT tests some important items on your vehicle to check that they meet the legal standards.

It isn’t the same as having your vehicle serviced and doesn’t check its general mechanical condition.

The test doesn’t cover the condition of the:

clutch

gearbox

You can read a quick guide about getting an MOT for more information about how the test works.

2. Car parts tested in the MOT

These are some of the important parts of your car that will be checked in the MOT.

Diagram of a car showing what's included in the MOT

Parts checked in the MOT

2.1 Body, vehicle structure and general items

These will be inspected to check that:

there are no sharp edges likely to cause injury

2.2 Towbars

Towbars will be inspected for:

secureness

condition

inappropriate repairs or modification

The MOT tester will also check that:

the speedometer is in good working order

the engine mountings are secure

2.3 Fuel system

The fuel system will be inspected to check that:

there are no leaks

the pipes and hoses are secure and in a good condition

the fuel cap fastens and seals securely

You should make sure that the key is available as the fuel cap will need to be opened.

2.4 Exhaust emissions

The vehicle will be inspected, depending on the age and fuel type of the vehicle, to check that it meets the rules for exhaust emissions.

Diesel vehicles

The MOT tester will refuse to test your vehicle if they think that the smoke test may damage your engine.

You should tell them at the start of the MOT if you think this may happen.

To reduce the possibility of damage and increase the chances of passing, you should:

keep your vehicle maintained at all times

have the camshaft drive belt replaced at the recommended intervals

go for the MOT with a fully warmed up engine - it will produce less smoke and is safer to test

not tamper with the governor settings

2.5 Exhaust system

The exhaust system will be inspected to check that:

it’s secure and complete

a catalyst isn’t missing where one was fitted as standard

it’s without serious leaks and not too noisy

2.6 Seatbelts

The vehicle will be inspected to check that:

the mandatory seatbelts are in place

they are suitable for the vehicle

they are in a good condition

they work properly

they are attached securely

The malfunction indicator lamps (MILs) or dashboard warning lights will be checked for the:

seatbelt pretensioners (which remove the slack from a seatbelt in the event of a collision)

seatbelt load limiters (which release a small amount of belt when it’s too tight)

2.7 Seats

These will be inspected to check that:

all seats are securely fitted and that seat backs can be fixed in the upright position

2.8 Doors

These will be inspected to check that:

the latch is secure in the closed position

the front doors open from inside and outside the vehicle

the rear doors open from outside the vehicle

hinges and catches are secure and in a good condition

2.9 Mirrors

The vehicle will be inspected to check for the minimum number of mirrors, their condition and security. Indirect vision devices will also inspected.

2.10 Load security

The vehicle will be inspected to check that the boot or tailgate can be closed properly.

2.11 Brakes

These will be inspected to check:

their condition, including inappropriate repairs or modifications

their operation and performance (the efficiency test) - the wheels and trims aren’t removed as part of the test

the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) (where fitted)

The MILs or dashboard warning lights will also be checked for the ABS, ESC, electronic park brake and brake fluid warning lights.

2.12 Tyres and wheels

These will be inspected to check for:

condition

security

tyre size and type

tread depth

Spare wheels and tyres are not inspected.

Vehicles first used on or after 1 January 2012 will be checked to make sure the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) MIL is working.

2.13 Registration plates

These will be inspected to check for:

condition

secure attachment

colour

characters correctly formed and spaced

2.14 Lights

These will be inspected to check:

their condition

operation, including high intensity discharge (HID) and light emitting diode (LED)

the headlamps for cleaning, self levelling and security

headlamp aim

main beam warning light working

2.15 Bonnet

This will be inspected to check that it closes securely.

2.16 Wipers and washers

These will be inspected to check that they work properly so the driver has a clear view of the road.

2.17 Windscreen

The windscreen will be inspected to check for:

condition

the driver’s view of the road

2.18 Horn

This will be inspected to check:

that it works properly

it’s suitable for the vehicle

2.19 Steering and suspension

These will be inspected to check:

their condition

steering oil level

they work correctly

for inappropriate repairs or modification including corrosion to power steering pipes or hoses

that the steering lock mechanism works properly

The MILs or dashboard warning lights will also be checked for the electronic power steering and steering lock.

2.20 Vehicle identification number (VIN)

The VIN will be on vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1980. Your car will be inspected to check that a single VIN is displayed, except on multistage build vehicles (eg van conversion, BMW, Alpina etc).

2.21 Electrical

Visible electrical wiring and the battery will be checked.

Allows direct cleaning of the fuel injectors, intake valves (indirect injection) and the combustion chamber with a highly concentrated cleaning solution without the need to remove injectors or dismantle the engine. 

Diesel Turbo

A highly effective treatment to clean turbine and variable geometry vanes of diesel turbochargers without dismantling. The treatment is injected directly into the combustion chamber to gain effective results. 

Air Intake

A special tool injects the strong cleaner directly into the air-intake to remove contamination from the inlet manifold and inlet valves without dismantling (also highly effective on EGR Valves depending on location). 

DPF

Cleans and flushes out soot, ash and other contamination from blocked DPFs, restoring their original operation without the need to remove the DPF from the vehicle.

Power-Clean Diesel Intake Cleaner

Cleans the throttle body, inlet vales and combustion chamber of all diesel engines

Removes carbon deposits on the inlet valves

Restores perfect air flow to the combustion chamber

Reduces exhaust emissions and soot

Restores lost engine performance and fuel economy

Cleans the EGR valve (depending on location)

For all diesel engines

Forté Power-Clean Diesel Intake Cleaner has been specially formulated to obtain the very best cleaning results without the need to dismantle components. It will remove oily deposits, soot and carbon deposits from the air-intake system restoring correct engine operation.

Only for use with the Forté Power-Clean machine. Do not add the vehicle's fuel tank.

Power-Clean Diesel Particulate Filter Flush

Removes deposits from the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) 

Reduces back pressure in the exhaust

Eliminates check engine lights

Takes vehicles out of 'limp home' mode

Diesel Particulate Filter Flush neutralises the Diesel Particulate Filter Cleaner and removes contamination from the filter

Biodegradable formulations

For all diesel engines with a DPF

 

Forté Power-Clean Diesel Particulate Filter Cleaner and Diesel Particulate Filter Flush have been specially formulated to obtain the very best cleaning results without the need to dismantle components. It will remove oily deposits, soot and ash deposits from the vehicle's DPF.

Only for use with the Forté Power-Clean machine. Do not add to the vehicle's fuel tank.

Power-Clean Petrol Intake Cleaner

Cleans the throttle body, inlet vales and combustion chamber of petrol engines

Removes deposits on the inlet valves of gasoline direct injection engines (GDI)

Restores perfect air flow to the combustion chamber

Reduces exhaust emissions 

Restores lost engine performance and fuel economy

Cleans the EGR valve (depending on location)

For all petrol and petrol hybrid engines - especially recommended for GDI engines

Forté Power-Clean Petrol Intake Cleaner has been specially formulated to obtain the very best cleaning results without the need to dismantle components. It will remove oily deposits, soot and carbon deposits from the air-intake system restoring correct engine operation.

Only for use with the Forté Power-Clean machine. Do not add to the vehicle's fuel tank.