Year after year, so many people come in and fail their MOT on something very silly that can be easily avoided by following a few simple steps. Here are the top 3!
1. Headlamp Aim
The top fail item is simply 'Headlight aim incorrectly set'. If a headlight bulb has been replaced since your last MOT, there is a possibility that they have been put back in slightly the wrong place - too high or low. This means that when your headlights shine, they shine at odd angles and do not give out the full effect, meaning that you can't see effectively in the dark/fog.
You can avoid this by simply getting somebody else to sit in the car and operate the lamps, while you walk around the car, checking each lamp individually. It may help to do it in a garage.
2. Tyre Tread Depth
Another common failure is the tyre tread depth. Tyre tread helps the tyres grip the road effectively, if the tread depth isn't to the correct standard, it becomes easier for the tyres to skid on the surface. There is a very simple test to see if your tyre tread is up to scratch. Just get a 20p coin and place it in the grooves in the tyre, if the outer rim of the coin isn't visible, your tyre tread should be fine. However, if you are still unsure, most tyre outlets are happy to do a free check for you.
3. Windscreen Wipers
Windscreen wipers not clearing the windscreen effectively is another common failure, the easiest way to check this is to operate the wipers and washers. If the blades don't clear all of the water effectively, and possibly even leave smears over the the driver's side, this will result in a fail. Wiper blades do wear out over time and need replacing - they get damaged by grit and dirt, so they need replacing at regular intervals. Another issue is if there is no fluid in the washers, then this will also result in a fail.
As you can see, most failures are caused by silly little mistakes that can easily be avoided. So follow the directions above and you will save yourself a little bit of cash!
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