Heading
Close X
Menu
An MOT, short for Ministry of Transport test, is the yearly inspection required for most vehicles once they are over three years old. The test checks that your vehicle meets the required standards for road safety, exhaust emissions and general roadworthiness.
If your vehicle does not pass its MOT, you may be able to have it retested for free, or at a reduced cost, depending on where the repairs are completed and how quickly the vehicle is presented for retesting. In many cases, the key timeframe is ten working days, giving you time to arrange the necessary repairs before the retest.
To pass the MOT retest, all failure items identified during the original test will need to be repaired. The MOT refusal document can also be useful for your mechanic or repair centre, as it sets out the areas that require attention.
To qualify for a free MOT retest, the following conditions usually apply:
When these conditions are met, the partial retest is normally completed without an additional test fee. For some types of repairs, particularly those not included in the list below, specialist repair work may be needed. In those situations, you may be able to take the vehicle away from the test centre temporarily so the work can be completed.
Below is a list of common repair items that are often completed within ten working days and may qualify for a free MOT retest:
If your vehicle fails its MOT, you will be given an MOT refusal certificate, commonly referred to as a VT30. The failure information will also be recorded on the MOT database. The sections below explain the MOT fail codes in more detail and outline the areas of the vehicle that may be checked during the test.
Your MOT failure sheet will show codes explaining why the vehicle did not pass. These codes relate to the specific section of the MOT test where the issue was found.
For example, code 5.1.b.1 can be read as follows:
Section 5.
Sub-section 1.
Subject b.
Reason for failure 1.
Section 1: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment
Section 2: Steering and Suspension
Section 3: Brakes
Section 4: Tyres and Road Wheels
Section 5: Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS)
Section 6: Body, Structure and General Items
Section 7: Exhaust, fuel and Emissions
Section 8: Drivers view of the road
Below are the main MOT sections, sub-sections and subject areas that can lead to MOT failure codes being recorded.
As part of the MOT test, the vehicle’s lights are checked to make sure the lighting and signalling systems are operating correctly. Reflectors are inspected for their position and colour, while important electrical components such as the horn, battery and wiring are also checked.
If an engine warning light is illuminated during the MOT, the vehicle may fail because it can indicate a fault that affects safety, performance or emissions.
If a warning light is showing, it is best to have the issue checked by a reputable garage before continuing to drive.
1.1 Front and Rear Position Lamps and Registration Plate Lamps
a. Front and rear position lamps
b. End outline marker lamps
c. Registration plate lamps
1.2 Stop Lamps
1.3 Rear Fog Lamps
1.4 Direction Indicators and Hazard Warning Lamps
a. Flashing type
b. Hazard warning device
c. Semaphore type
1.5 Rear Reflectors
1.6 Audible Warning, also known as the Horn
1.7 Headlamps
1.8 Headlamp Aim
a. All headlamps
b. European ‘E’ beam headlamps
c. British American type, main beam
d. British American type, dipped beam
1.9 Electrical Wiring and Battery
2.1 Steering Control
2.2 Steering System
2.3 Power Steering
2.4 Suspension – General
a. All suspension types
b. Leaf springs
c. Coil springs
d. Fluid, gas or air suspension
e. Torsion bars
f. Bonded suspension units
g. Suspension arms and linkages, subframes and related components
2.5 Front Suspension, Front Wheel Bearings and Drive Shafts
a. Suspension joints and wheel bearings, with wheels jacked
b. Suspension joints, with wheel on turning plates
c. Front wheel drive shafts and couplings
2.6 Rear Suspension and Wheel Bearings
2.7 Shock Absorbers
2.8 Suspension Type Diagrams
During an MOT, the braking system is assessed for performance, efficiency and balance, often using a roller brake tester. Brake pads and discs are also inspected.
If brake pads are worn close to their minimum safe level, you may receive an advisory. If they are excessively worn or below the required standard, the vehicle can fail its MOT.
3.1 Parking Brake Control
3.2 Hand Operated Brake Control Valves
3.3 Service Brake Control
a. All types of braking systems
b. Hydraulic systems, including servo assisted
c. Vehicles with high servo boost
d. Full power hydraulic braking systems
e. Air and vacuum systems
3.4 Anti-lock Braking and Electronic Stability Control Systems
3.5 Mechanical Brake Components
3.6 Braking Systems and Additional Braking Devices
a. All braking systems
b. Brake pipes and flexible hoses
c. Servos and master cylinders
d. Reservoirs, air or vacuum, including accumulators, pressure and vacuum vessels
e. Valves
f. Pumps and compressors
g. Hydraulic systems
h. Air systems
i. Additional braking devices
j. Electronic braking systems, class 5 only
3.7 Brake Performance
a. Roller brake test
b. Decelerometer test
c. Plate brake test
d. Gradient test
3.8 Method of Calculating Brake Performance
3.9 Brake Efficiency Tables
At Shelly Motors Kia Epsom, MOT tests are carried out to help ensure your vehicle meets the necessary safety and environmental standards. Tyre condition is an important part of the MOT, as the right tyres can improve safety, handling and your chances of passing the test.
Tyres are checked for size, structure, load rating, condition and tread depth. Road wheels are also inspected for faults such as cracks, poor fitting, unsuitable compatibility or signs of damage. The tester will look for visible tyre issues including cuts, punctures, tears, lumps and bulges. If the tyre tread is below the legal minimum depth of 1.6mm, the vehicle will fail the MOT and the tyre will need to be replaced.
4.1 Tyres
a. Type of structure
b. Load index and speed rating, applicable to class 5 only
c. Speed rating – restricted speed vehicles, applicable to class 5 only
d. Condition of tyres
e. Tread pattern, breadth and depth
4.2 Road Wheels
a. Applicable to all vehicles
b. Additional checks, applicable to class 5, class 7 and large class 4 only
5.1 Seat Belt Requirements
a. Fitment
b. General information
c. Three-wheeled vehicles
d. Passenger vehicles, motor caravans and ambulances with up to 8 passenger seats
e. Minibuses, motor caravans and ambulances with 9–12 passenger seats
f. Minibuses, motor caravans and ambulances with 13–16 passenger seats
g. Coaches and other buses
h. Goods vehicles and living vans
i. Seat belt types
5.2 Seat Belt Condition
5.3 Seat Belt Installation Requirements, class 4A and 5A approved VTS only
a. Seat belt installation check
b. Vehicles exempt from seat belt installation checks
c. Guidance notes
5.4 Supplementary Restraint Systems
6.1 Vehicle Structure, Body and General Items
a. Vehicle structure
b. Body security, for vehicles with separate bodies only
c. Body condition
d. Engine mountings
e. Steps and stairs, class 5 only
6.2 Seats and Doors
a. Seats
b. Doors
c. Passenger entrance and exit doors, class 5 only
d. Emergency exits, class 5 only
6.3 Registration Plates and Vehicle Identification Number
a. Registration plates
b. Vehicle Identification Number
c. Registration plates – additional information
6.4 Load Security, Spare Wheel and Carrier
6.5 Speed Limiter
a. Speed limiter plate
b. Speed limiter
6.6 Towbars
6.7 Speedometer
6.8 Driving Controls, class 5 only
6.9 Glazing, class 5 only
7.1 Exhaust System
7.2 Fuel System
7.3 Exhaust Emissions – Spark Ignition
a. All vehicles
b. Vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1975
c. Basic emissions test, BET
d. Full CAT test
7.4 Exhaust Emissions – Compression Ignition
a. Vehicles first used before 1 August 1979
b. Vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1979
8.1 View to Rear
8.2 Wipers and Washers
8.3 Windscreen, classes 3, 4 and 7 only
8.4 Bonnet
Book your MOT with Shelly Motors Kia Epsom
If your MOT is due, you can arrange your appointment with Shelly Motors Kia Epsom online.
You can also contact Shelly Motors Kia Epsom directly for service and MOT enquiries.
Shelly Motors Limited is an appointed representative of ITC Compliance Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (their registration number is 313486) and which is permitted to advise on and arrange general insurance contracts as an intermediary. Shelly Motors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for consumer credit activity and our registration number is 602700 Permitted activities include acting as a credit broker not a lender. We can introduce you to a limited number of finance providers. We do not charge fees for our Consumer Credit services. We typically receive a payment(s) or other benefits from finance providers should you decide to enter into an agreement with them, typically either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow. The payment we receive may vary between finance providers and product types. The payment received does not impact the finance rate offered.
All finance applications are subject to status, terms and conditions apply, UK residents only, 18’s or over, Guarantees may be required.