MOT Pre Checks: Top 8 Things to Check before your Car’s MOT
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Your vehicle could fail its MOT due to several reasons, such as faulty windscreen wipers, tyres with insufficient tread depth, or even non-functioning bulbs. As the driver, you should take the time to prepare for your next MOT test and reduce the risk of an MOT failure by undertaking some visual checks to ensure your vehicle passes first time.
Below, we have compiled eight MOT pre-checks that you can undertake yourself without needing to visit a garage. The checks below are easy to complete and are often common reasons why people fail their MOTs.
1. Headlights and indicators
Faulty lights are a significant reason for MOT failures. The test checks if all lights, including headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and fog lights, are working, securely mounted, and not obstructed. Incorrectly aimed headlights can dazzle other drivers, while a broken brake light could cause a rear-end collision; both are grounds for failure. The DVSA's own data indicates that a significant percentage of MOT failures are due to issues with lights and signals.
2. Brake lights
You can check your brake lights in one of two ways. Either press the brake pedal and have someone check whether the light comes on, or reverse up to a reflective surface, press the brake pedal, and check behind to see for yourself.
3. Registration plate
Your vehicle's registration plates must be clearly visible and legible. A car will fail if the front or rear number plate is not securely fitted, is damaged, or if the lettering is incorrect in its font, size, or spacing. These rules ensure that the vehicle can be identified by law enforcement and other road users.
4. Wheels and tyres
Tyre condition is critical for safety. The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre's width and around its entire circumference. If the tread is below this limit, it reduces grip on the road, particularly in wet conditions. Other reasons for failure include lumps, bulges, cracks, or exposed cords on the tyre, which indicate a compromised structure and a risk of a blowout.
Insert a 20p coin into the tread at various places on the tyre. If the tread depth hides the rim of the coin, then it is likely that your tread depth is safe and legal. If you can see the rim of the coin, there is a very high chance you will need to replace your tyres.
Need new tyres? Browse our selection now. If you’re in doubt about how much tread you have left on your tyres, visit your local Protyre centre for a free tyre check today.
5. Seats and seatbelts
Seatbelts are a vital safety feature. The MOT test checks that all seatbelts are in good condition, without any frays, cuts, or tears, and that the buckle latches and releases correctly. The seatbelts must also retract properly and be securely anchored to the vehicle's body. The driver's seat must also be securely mounted to the floor and be able to be adjusted.
6. Windscreens, Windscreen Wipers and Washers
Your view of the road must be clear and unobstructed. A windscreen will fail the test if there is a chip or crack larger than 10mm in the driver's direct line of sight or larger than 40mm in the rest of the windscreen's swept area. The windscreen wipers must also be in good condition, free of tears, and capable of clearing the screen effectively. An empty screen wash reservoir is a common and easily avoidable reason for failure because it prevents the tester from checking if the washer system works.
7.Horn
A vehicle's horn must be functional and produce a continuous, single-tone sound that is loud enough to be heard by other road users. A horn that is not working, or that produces a multi-tone or grating sound (for vehicles registered after 1973), will result in a failure.
8.Fuel and engine oil
While the engine itself is not a part of the MOT test, the emissions are. To perform the emissions test, the vehicle must be running. If the fuel or engine oil levels are too low to safely operate the car, the test cannot be completed, resulting in a failure.
MOT Checklist & Guide
If you want to learn more about MOTs from,
Our comprehensive MOT guide provides a complete overview of the annual test, a legal requirement for vehicles over three years old. It details what the test involves, from a thorough check of lights and tyres to the condition of brakes and emissions.
The guide also covers practical information on booking, costs, and test duration, as well as a helpful checklist for preparing your vehicle to avoid common reasons for failure.
It clarifies the legal implications of driving without a valid MOT and offers guidance on retests and advisory notes. For a full breakdown and step-by-step instructions to ensure your vehicle is safe and road-legal, be sure to check out our complete MOT guide.
For more information on MOT failures, what's included in an MOT, and free retest eligibility, read the following articles:
The Most Common Reasons for MOT Failures