MOT Checklist
What to check
There are a surprisingly large number of MOT items that you can quickly check yourself, with no specialist knowledge or equipment, as listed below.*
Lights
The biggest failure item. Do they all function properly?
Indicators
Check front, rear and side repeaters where fitted.
Brake Lights
Are they both working?
Rear Fog Light
Driver’s side must be working (all vehicles post 1st April 1980).
Tyres / Wheels
Tread depth (minimum 1.6mm), check for sidewall defects, tread pattern wear. All wheel studs fitted and no rim damage.
Horn / Windscreen Washers
Must all be functioning
Windscreen Wipers
Blade rubbers in good condition and not torn/split.
Chassis / VIN Number
Must be displayed and legible (all vehicles post August 1980).
Doors
Check that both front doors can be opened from inside and outside.
Bootlid / Tailgate
Must be able to open from outside.
Fuel Cap
Must be present, secure and have rubber seal.
Mirrors
Must be secure and visible from driver’s seat.**
Battery
Battery and terminals must be secure.
Seat Belts
Must be secure and the webbing must be in good condition.
Pedal Rubbers
The brake and throttle pedal rubbers must be present.
Dash Warning Lights
Airbag / ABS / Traction control / TPMS (vehicles registered post 2012) if lit while the engine is running, are MOT failures.
Number Plates
Must not be obscured, damaged or have any features that affect or change the appearance and legibility of the characters, Black & White plates only allowed on cars registered before Jan 1st 1980
Other items
Other key items that would be checked at the testing station are steering, vehicle structure, windscreen, suspension, seats, brakes, fuel & exhaust systems, emissions and tow bar if fitted.
* For guidance only – does not constitute the full test.
** Minimum of 2 mirrors which must include the drivers side external mirror and/or internal or passenger side external mirror
Other items
Other key items that would be checked at the testing station are steering, vehicle structure, windscreen, suspension, seats, brakes, fuel & exhaust systems, emissions and tow bar if fitted.
* For guidance only – does not constitute the full test.
** Minimum of 2 mirrors which must include the drivers side external mirror and/or internal or passenger side external mirror
Lights
The biggest failure item. Do they all function properly?
Indicators
Check front, rear and side repeaters where fitted.
Brake Lights
Are they both working?
Rear Fog Light
Driver’s side must be working (all vehicles post April 1 1980).
Tyre/Wheels
Tread depth (minimum 1.6mm), check for sidewall defects, tread pattern wear. All wheel studs fitted and no rim damage.
Horn/Windscreen Washers
Must all be functioning.
Windscreen Wipers
Blade rubbers in good condition and not torn/split.
Chassis/VIN Number
Must be displayed and legible (all vehicles post August 1980).
Doors
Check that both front doors can be opened from inside and outside.
Bootlid/Tailgate
Must be able to open from outside.
Fuel Cap
Must be present, secure and have rubber seal.
Mirrors
Must be secure and visible from driver’s seat.**
Battery
Battery and terminals must be secure.
Seat Belts
Must be secure and the webbing must be in good condition.
Pedal Rubbers
The brake and throttle pedal rubbers must be present.
Dash Warning Lights
Airbag / ABS / Traction control / TPMS (vehicles registered post 2012) if lit while the engine is running, are MOT failures.
Number Plates
Must not be obscured, damaged or have any features that effect or change the appearance and legibility of the characters, Black & White plates only allowed on cars registered before Jan 1st 1980
Other Items
Other key items that would be checked at the testing station are steering, vehicle structure, windscreen, suspension, seats, brakes, fuel & exhaust systems, emissions and tow bar if fitted.
* For guidance only – does not constitute the full test.
** Minimum of 2 mirrors which must include the drivers side external mirror and/or internal or passenger side external mirror
