Can Motorists Rely On The MOT?

All sensible drivers know that routine vehicle maintenance is essential. When we know that something is wrong, the time to fix it is now, not later. Later usually means bigger bills and we all know that our reliable car servicing garage will do a good job of ensuring the car is fit for the road. Combined with being an approved MOT testing station means that your local professional garage with properly trained technicians will ensure that the tested car is fit for the road. They will also inform the owner of any ‘advisories’; that is to say, potential faults that are fine for now but will need attention in the short term. This is where the potential problems lie.

So It’s Okay For Now Then?

There you have it. We all, having breathed a sigh of relief that the car has passed the test, tend to note the advisory list and then immediately forget it because it’s okay for now. That’s not the attitude and rather instead points to the need for further investigation by means of routine deeper inspections of our cars.

A Moment In Time

The MOT is just a moment in time. It follows a very comprehensive list set out by law and MOT testing stations adhere to it strictly. Yet all the time all kinds of wear can slowly or steadily develop between MOT tests and creep up on unsuspecting drivers. That’s why it’s a good idea to combine regular visual checks by the owner in some depth, perhaps also incorporating an additional professional vehicle inspection by an approved car servicing garage. This is especially true before long, important journeys and holidays and also prior to the onset of winter.

What To Look Out For

Although better build quality means our cars don’t really rust like they used to, corrosion is still a potential, MOT failing prospect. If physically able, owners should get down and dirty and inspect car sills and the underbody as best as they can. (Note: It is dangerous to get under a vehicle that is not properly supported). If anything looks suspicious then get it examined.

As drivers we expect brake pads and discs to wear out, but there’s more to it than that. Brake fluid lines and calipers wear out, too. It certainly is not easy to inspect them on your home driveway but potential issues might be spotted by loss of fluid from the under-bonnet reservoir, suggesting a leak, for example. Road salt and moisture can get into and corrode metal brake lines, especially as some drivers are keeping their cars for longer or choose to run an older vehicle.

Corroded brake callipers can seize up and may cause uneven braking or premature pad wear. This, of course, has serious implications for safety of passengers in the car and indeed, other road users. It’s a good idea to give the brakes a periodic vehicle check at a garage. You simply cannot assume that, just because a car has passed the test now, it still would in a few months.

In the bowels of your vehicle, hidden from sight, are ball joints, suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links, all steadily degrading over time. As well as routine motoring use, wear and tear is exacerbated by (these days) a whole legion of potholes and rough road surfaces, increasingly common on our British roads. So, when hearing clunking noises when negotiating bumps or if the steering feels vague or the tyres are not wearing evenly, don’t ignore these warning signs because they can negatively affect how a car handles and stops.

And If That Isn’t Enough

Well yes, there’s more: Coolant hoses degrade both on the inside as well as the outside. They may look fine but they can soften, crack or collapse when under pressure. A sudden hose failure is bad news, possibly leaving you and your passengers stranded. It could also cause engine damage, so inspect those hoses very closely when the engine is cool. Check the clips holding them in place. If in doubt, you know what to do.

The Used Car Market

There is now a wide choice of used cars available to suit all pockets. Electric models, hybrids and fossil fuel motors, there’s lots of options but it pays to remember that they too will possibly come with the issues mentioned here. Not all car dealers are that scrupulous and private sellers might be genuinely unaware that their precious out-going car has wear and tear above the norm.

Most drivers don’t yet fully understand the workings of electric vehicles (EV) but they will understand high voltage if on the receiving end of it. So, when inspecting a potential purchase, as in any DIY project, safety comes first. Obviously some parts we are used to on internal combustion vehicles are not there on EV’s so it pays to get to grips with how electric cars work.

Otherwise, visual inspections in depth should be part of every buyer’s plan and every owner’s maintenance routine. Better still as cars are so complex these days, if at all possible, ensure your vehicle is professionally inspected and has been maintained by a car servicing garage of good repute. This is especially true when there are MOT advisories on the vehicle’s documentation, which should be attended to promptly.

Of course, it is easy to say these things but maybe not so easy to do on a budget, but let’s be honest, running a car is not a cheap enterprise any more, but is certainly worth it for the freedom of the road.