According to the well-worn proverb, prevention is always better than a cure. And when it comes to the dreaded MOT, never were those words of wisdom so pertinent. A fail can mean huge problems if your vehicle has to come off the road for an extended period of time, but with a little bit of TLC, getting your MOT can be AOK.
While we’re on the subject of proverbs, here’s another one to annoy you: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. So if you don’t want to fail the MOT, plan not to. Simple.
A Fail Costs More than Pride
A courier driver’s van is subject to a lot more mileage and wear and tear than a conventional private vehicle – so there are a lot more reasons for it to fail. In fact, 20% of all vans on the road fail the test the first time, leading to:
- Reduced productivity
- Lost hours on the road
- Expensive repair bills
- Loss of profits
Be MOT Ready
That’s the bad news. The good news is that with a bit of maintenance, forward planning and commitment, you can vastly increase your chances of passing the first time – saving yourself time, money and a jolly big headache.
Don’t get caught short: Keep yourself abreast of exactly when your MOT is due. Check the expiry date regularly so it doesn’t creep up on you, and make it a point to book your vehicle in to the garage at least a month beforehand and ask for a reminder in the week prior.
Do your own regular checks: Make a weekly (or at the very least, monthly) checklist that you carry out on your vehicle, without fail. If you make it a habit it’ll get less and less painful as time goes on.
- Interior checks – seat belts (secure and release), horn, rear view and wing mirrors, dash warning lights
- Under the bonnet – screen wash, coolant, oil
- Exterior checks – windscreen wipers, exterior lights, tyre treads (minimum 1.6mm), number plates (front and back), door closures (from both inside and outside).
The MOT Doctor Prescribes…
We’ll finish how we began: with the proverb about prevention. Once you’ve succeeded in passing the MOT, it’s not just about sitting back and congratulating yourself. (Well, maybe just a quick pat on the back.) Pre-empting and preventing any issues in between tests can also save you expensive breakdown callouts and time off the road. Regular maintenance shouldn’t just be a ploy to pass the MOT – it always makes good sense. So in the spirit of good sense, we’ll leave you with this simple but sage advice:
- Keep up your regular checks (as per above) throughout the year
- Make sure any repairs needed get attended to quickly
- Book in for an annual or twice yearly service
If you’ve got any other tips on how to be an MOT marvel and pass first time, every time, do let us know.
