MOT

If your car is over three years old it must undergo an annual Ministry of Transport (MOT) Test to ensure it meets legally set road safety and environmental standards. Book online with an authorised Ford Dealer today, for convenience and the knowledge that your work is being carried out to exact standards by Ford-trained technicians.

The benefits of choosing a Ford Dealer

Keeping you informed and getting you back on the road:

• With Ford, you can be sure these repairs will be carried out to exacting standards by Ford trained technicians, using Ford quality parts.
• If any repair work is required, we will always let you know.
• We provide exact and competitive pricing, along with a detailed written explanation of the invoice and work performed. This is a reassuring record of your car’s history for any future buyer.
• If we can’t repair your car on the same day as the MOT, we’ll offer you a prompt alternative date/time.

During the MOT test, a government-authorised tester will check your vehicle comprehensively, including the interior, exterior, under the bonnet and underneath the vehicle. The tester records each check and if your vehicle passes the test, you’ll be issued with a VT20 ‘pass’ certificate. If it fails, you’ll receive a VT30 ‘failure’ document. You’ll also be told of any ‘advisory’ items – those that haven’t quite failed the test, but which need careful monitoring.

The MOT test covers all the following:

• Vehicle Identification Number
• Registration Plate
• Lights
• Steering & Suspension
• Wipers and washer bottle
• Windscreen
• Horn
• Seatbelts
• Seats
• Fuel System
• Emissions
• Bodywork
• Doors
• Mirrors
• Wheels & Tyres
• Brakes

PRE-MOT CHECKLIST

Around 1.5 million vehicles fail their MOT due to simple things such as faulty bulbs, too little tyre tread, or even empty windscreen washer fluid bottles. It’s possible to anticipate most of these issues with a quick check of your car. And it only takes a ‘Minute Or Two’!

If you do find any faults that you’re unable to easily rectify yourself, you should notify your Ford dealer in advance so they can complete the work required before the test is carried out.

Take a look at our Pre-MOT Checklist* below - taking a couple of minutes to identify problems before an MOT test will allow them to be rectified, meaning your car will be far more likely to pass first time around.

1. Headlights and indicators
Check that all of your car’s lights function properly – headlights, sidelights, rear lights, hazard lights and indicators.

2. Brake lights
Press the brake pedal and ask a friend to check that the rear brake lights come on – including any supplementary brake strip light. Alternatively, carefully reverse up to a reflective surface (window, wall or garage door) and look behind to see for yourself.

3. Number plate
Make sure that the number plate is clean and legible – even a quick wipe with a cloth can make a difference. The font and spacing of letters must also comply with legal requirements to be passed by the MOT station.

4. Wheels and tyres
Check that wheels and tyres are undamaged. The minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm and any tyres with less than this will be marked as an MOT ‘fail’ (though it’s recommended that tyres are changed when tread reaches 3mm). If you’re in doubt about how much tread is left on a tyre, your local Ford dealer can check for you. The dealer can also advise on the type of tyre that is right for your car if a replacement is required.

5. Seats and seatbelts
The driver's seat should adjust forwards and backwards and all seatbelts should be in good, working order. Test movement of the seat and inspect the seatbelt's full length for damage. Tug sharply on all seatbelts to check that they react as they’re supposed to if you have to brake severely.

6. Windscreen
Check the view out of the front of the car for damage – any damage larger than 40mm will cause a ‘fail’, as will any damage wider than 10mm in the ‘swept’ area of the windscreen in front of the driver.

7. Windscreen wipers
Make sure your wipers are able to keep your windscreen clean – any tears or holes in the wiper rubber can be an MOT fail.

8. Screenwash
Top up the washer bottle before taking the car in for a test – something as simple as an empty container can cause an MOT fail.

9. Horn
Give a short blast of the horn – if it doesn’t work, your dealer will need to repair or replace it.

10. Fuel and engine oil
Make sure your car is filled with enough fuel and engine oil – you can be turned away from the MOT without suitable levels of either, both of which are required by the dealership when running the car to test its emissions levels. If you are unsure about the type of oil that should be used, ask your local Ford dealer.

Note: When checking fluid levels and handling parts that could become hot to the touch (e.g. bulbs), it’s always best to ensure that the vehicle has had an opportunity to cool down fully.