Many UK motorists will be gearing up to sort out their MOT's ahead of the peak month of March.
Expers have warned that some unusual checks are worth going through before taking their vehicles in to the garage. Motoring experts from LeaseCar.uk and its sister site LeaseElectricCar.co.uk have compiled some important checks to go through to ensure your car passes its MOT.
In fact, even the tiniest minor fault could lead to you failing the MOT and could have been something that was checked before sending the car off.
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A spokesman from LeaseCar.uk said: “We are approaching peak MOT season when traditionally the most MOTs are carried out. The time of the year when an MOT is due is one of the most nerve-wracking moments for drivers.
“It’s extremely important to carry out unusual checks such as removing an air freshener and checking reversing lights, to make sure everything is in top form. We wanted to offer these useful tips to help drivers make these checks, which they may not have thought of before sending the car off for inspection.”
Here are some of the most important checks you should make before taking your vehicle in for an MOT.
Number plate lights
It's against the law for any licence plate lights to be faulty. This is because police and other road users may need to identify your car.
Not checking this before an MOT is due could lead to a fixed penalty fine if you get caught out.
Worn seatbelts
Seatbelts can become frayed over time which can result in very dangerous situations, especially if it continues to worsen. If your seatbelts aren't clicking into place then you will immediately fail your MOT.
Top up screenwash
While it's an easy thing to miss out, it's very easy to fail your MOT if you do not have enough screenwash fluid in the car. To avoid this, top up your screenwash just before sending it into the garage.
Reversing lights
Added in 2018, vehicles used from September 2009 must have working reversing lights otherwise it will lead to a failed MOT. Many road users may be unaware of this new rule so ensure you check your bulbs before undertaking an MOT.
Fuel cap seal
If you can smell petrol from your cap it means that the seal has worn out. Always check your fuel cap's condition when filling up the vehicle.
Ditch the air freshener
While rare, an air freshener can be seen as something that blocks the driver's view of the road, leading to an automatic failure. Make sure to take out any air fresheners hanging in the car before sending it for an MOT.
Cracked number plate
You need to check for all the minor details to get your car to pass its MOT and one of them is noticeable cracks on the number plate. One crack covering a letter on the plate can be the break or make between a pass and a fail.
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