Watling Test Centre MOT Failure - MOT Repairs

What happens if my car fails my mot test

If for some reason your vehicle fails its mot test here at Watling Test Centre don't worry we can help you get your car or van back on road, normally on the same day if the mot test shows up some minor repairs. You are not obligated to leave your vehicle with us to be repaired you may have your own mechanic that you prefer to use to repair the faults found on your vehicle.

Depending on what items have failed if the vehicle is removed from mot test centre we must always do another full mot test on the return of the vehicle. information on procedure is outlined on the VT30 issue to you on the day of the MOT test.

Some customers prefer to leave their vehicle with us on the day for repairs to be carried out especially on minor repairs such as brakes, bulbs, wipers, cables, suspensions arms, etc this can make sense sometimes because it means your vehicle can be retested on the same day after repairs have been carried out which solves the problem all within 24 hours.

If you decide to take the vehicle away to be repaired, for this we allow 14 days for the vehicle to repaired and returned back to us from the date of issue on the VT30 failure certificate. If your car or vans mot(VT20) has expired taking it away from the test centre and driving it would mean you are driving illegally on the road which will invalidate your insurance, worst case if you were caught the police might take your car away from you.

Drivers are confused and think they have so many days grace if their mot runs out, in fact they do allow you grace but its before not after your mot expiry date, you are allowed to present your car for its mot test 30 days before your expiry date of your mot certificate.

Are there some basic check points I can do to help my car or van vehicle pass it's MOT test.

1.You can check to make sure all your lights are working as they should checking your side lights, dip beam, high beam, fog lamps (only needed on the driver side rear), number plate lights, indicators including wing side repeater mounted on the side of your front wings, and not forgetting brake lights and including your hazard lights.

2. Make sure your windscreen washer bottle is topped up with water and front washers are working.

3. Check your front and rear wiper blades make sure they clear the screen properly, make sure they have no splits in the wiper blade... when you use your wipers do they smear the front windscreen if they do then replace them before your mot test.

4. Make sure you have no chips or cracks in your front windscreen we allow 5mm chip within the wiper sweep for the driver side, and 40mm chip within the wiper sweep for the passenger side if your screen has been cracked we advise you to call out your windscreen replacement company to have this fixed before you bring your car along for its mot.

5. Fuel cap if you have lost your fuel cap and you have temporary replacement you must replace this with a locking type cap which must make clear sealed bond.

6. Make sure you horn works before presenting your car for testing.

7. Seat belt and buckles make sure none of your seat belt fabric is frayed or split also make sure your seat belt buckles lock and release the seat belt correctly this applies to front and rear seat belts.

8. Make sure any warning lights on your dashboard are not on I.E. ABS, BSI, Airbag lights

9. Make sure your tyres are not illegal they have tread left on them and are not punctured.

This is a guide if you are in doubt you seek professional help to make these checks for you.