In life some things are guaranteed, these included tax, death and also that dreaded yearly MOT. It’s something that you remember a few weeks before and hate every second until you get the call to say it has passed.

There are so many components that make up a car, if just one of them is seriously faulty then that could result in a failed MOT. This is a disaster for some, who rely on their vehicle to get to and from work.

With MOT seasons round the corner, experts at National Scrap Car have been looking into the top reasons for why cars fail their MOT and warn that motorists could help prevent an MOT failure by doing the following simple checks.

Clean your Car
Before you take your vehicle for its MOT, clean it thoroughly both inside and out. From the front seats, to the back seats and finally to the boot. An unclean car could lead to an examiner refusing to perform an MOT.

Check your mirrors
Make sure that all of your mirrors are in good condition, if they are shattered then your vehicle won’t pass its MOT. This also includes internal mirrors.

Check your lights are working
Lights are a common reason for MOT failure. Make sure that your brake, front and rear lights are working correctly. You can do this by asking a friend or family member to observe from outside the car.

Honk the horn
It sounds obvious but make sure your horn is in working order. Give it a few honks to make sure it isn’t faulty.

Top up fluids
Your vehicle requires all kinds of important fluids, including brake fluid, oil and screenwash. Make sure that these are topped up prior to the MOT test.

Check tyre tread and pressure
The legal tyre tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, although most recommend a minimum tread of 3mm for tyre replacement. The tread must meet this minimum requirement across its complete circumference to be legal.

You can check your tyre tread by inserting a 20p coin into the tread grooves. If you cannot see the outer band on the coin then your tyres are above the legal limits.

If you are unsure of your car’s correct pressure level, you can often find the recommended pressure levels in the owner’s manual or in the fuel cap. You can then set the air machine to the recommended level whether at home or at a petrol station.

Check your windscreen wipers are in good condition
Inspect your wipers for any nicks or damage which could lower their effectiveness, and if any damage is found replace them immediately.
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