Garages really do see everything when it comes to cars. While the majority of people get their car to and from their MOT test without a problem, that’s not the case for everyone. We’ve put together just a few of the silly, careless and downright funny things we’ve seen people do when preparing for the big day.
DON’T
Leave Your Interior Light On
If you choose to do this, be careful not to leave the lights on in your car. It’s easy to forget, especially if you switch the lights on to check your paperwork before dropping off the keys. If you forget to turn it off before you’ve posted the key, there’s no going back. The battery is sure to drain overnight.
While we can easily jump start your car, draining the battery so it’s completely flat will dramatically reduce its lifespan and could lead to costly repairs.
Drive Without A Valid MOT
The law states that a car cannot be driven without a valid MOT certificate. The only exception is that you are allowed to drive it to the test centre for its appointment.
It can be tempting to continue driving your vehicle with an expired MOT, especially if your test is booked in a few days.
However, if you’re caught driving without an MOT and can’t prove you’re taking it to the garage, you could end up with a hefty fine, points on your license and potentially be banned from driving. This is completely avoidable if you book your MOT in good time. Set a reminder on your phone if you’re liable to forget.
DO
Top Up Your Screen Wash
If you don’t have any screen wash in your car, you could fail your MOT! Make sure you check that your washer fluid is topped up before taking it to the garage.
Using the correct products is important too. We see some people adding strange concoctions such as dish soap to their screenwash. This leads to streaky windscreens which can impair your view.
The point of your wipers is to ensure that you can clean your windscreen quickly and effectively, so you can drive safely. Don’t compromise this with a quick fix.
Make Sure You Have Fuel
The tank doesn’t need to be full, but there should be at least a quarter of a tank in your car. This is required so that your vehicle can have an emissions test carried out.
If you turn up with an empty tank, you could be turned away and the garage might refuse to perform the MOT test.
Clean Your Car!
Some people are known for having dirty cars. If the exterior is so dirty that it’s covering rust problems, you could be faced with a big surprise when your car fails its MOT.
As well as this, rubbish piled up inside your vehicle is inconsiderate to the garage and gives off a terrible impression.
If your car is so piled up with rubbish that the mechanic can’t access the components, you could be faced with a refusal to carry out the test. Similarly, if the rubbish in your car is food waste, mouldy or a health hazard in any other way, the test can be refused.
If Your Car’s MOT Is Due, Choose Priory Service Station
We carry out MOTs on all makes and models of vehicle, including vans. So long as your vehicle isn’t piled high with junk, drained completely of fuel or posing a health hazard, we’d be happy to carry out your test!
If you have any questions about MOTs or any of our other services, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team.
