MOTs Brislington

With summer now looking as if it is over, it’s time to start preparing for Autumn and winter, which can bring rain, ice and snow, especially on the roads around Bristol. These weather changes can be treacherous and make driving conditions difficult and dangerous, which is why keeping your car in fully working condition is especially important. At AP Autocare in Brislington, we are fully DVSA qualified which means every car MOT we complete, you can be sure that it is legitimate meaning your car is safe and legal to drive on the roads.

What does a Car MOT check?

There are many points which our qualified mechanics must check on your car during a MOT to see whether they are in fully working order and not making your car a risk to drive on the roads. Some major points are:

• Steering and car suspension – your MOT tester will check the strength, wear and condition of the steering wheel movement, plus the power steering fluid if your vehicle has power steering. They will then check the suspension components and shock absorbers for any corrosion, distortion or fractures.
• Windscreen and wipers – The area directly in front of the driver is checked for any chips, cracks or obstructions that are larger that 10mm. They will then check if there is any damage anywhere else on the windscreen (within the swept area) over 40mm
• Lights (front, rear, and hazards) – All of your lights on your vehicle emit light of the same size, colour and shape, and are aimed down so not to dazzle other drivers.
• Seats and seatbelts – Each seat and seat belt must be secure and in a good condition.
• Exhaust and outgoing emissions – Your exhaust is checked to see whether it is secure and does not leak. The emissions emitted from the exhaust are tested using a probe. The carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are monitored and must fall within the stated limit. If thick black smoke is present, this will fail.
• Wheels and tyres – The MOT tester will check the correct tyres are fitted to your car, and their tread depth is not below 1.6mm. The wheels must also be in a good condition with no dents that could affect steering
• Foot brake and handbrake – The foot brake pedal and lever is inspected as well as the dashboard for any relevant warning lights showing. Your vehicle then has its brakes tested for their performance and efficiency.

How can I prevent my car failing it’s MOT?

Some faults, such as emissions, you will not notice unless you are a trained mechanic. Others can be avoided from failing by performing simple maintenance. If you are unsure as to what to do, we recommend bringing your car in to our service centre in Brislington for a service every 6 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Our mechanics will assess your car and all the aspects that the MOT will also pick up on, and evaluate their condition. They will then advise you if you require any repairs or replacement parts. Read more about our car servicing here or call us today on 0117 963 8916.

The DVSA have set out a minimum standard that each component must meet. If a component passes but one of our trained mechanics believes that it requires repairing, they will give it an advisory. You will receive an MOT slip after the test so you are able to discuss the result once it has been completed with one of our highly experience mechanics.

If you are interested in having one of our highly qualified mechanics MOT your car, you can book online or call our garage in Brislington on 0117 963 8916

Published: Wednesday 13th September 2017