The Pre-MOT Checklist You Can Do Yourself

If the time has come for your annual MOT, it is highly recommended that you take a moment to conduct a few checks yourself to give your vehicle the best chance of passing with no issues.

A vehicle can fail an MOT test in various ways, but it can often be for entirely avoidable reasons so long as you prepare a checklist and give your vehicle a once over yourself beforehand.

Indeed, many of the most common issues for an MOT test failure are reasons you can rectify at home… and by being pro-active with any upgrades you need to make, you could save yourself a lot of money in the process.

A pre-MOT checklist should include:

Wiper Blades

Worn or damaged wiper blades are reason enough to fail an MOT so if you notice any cracks in the material or leave streaks that obstruct the view ahead, it is a smart idea to replace them in advance.

However, while fully functioning wiper blades are considered among the most important aspects of your MOT test, any replacements can be carried out easily and cost-effectively.

With Wiperblades.co.uk you can purchase the wiper blades that are guaranteed to fit your vehicle, all at great value prices, even among top name brands like Bosch, Michelin, Lucas and Valeo. Better still, they can be fixed in just seconds.

So, don’t get caught out – if it is time to change your wiper blades, it will cost you little time, money and effort to keep your windscreen clear, not to mention greatly improve your chances of passing an MOT.  

Windscreen

Be mindful of checking for any chips and cracks in your windscreen. Any damage that measures more than 40mm on any part of the windscreen will result in a failed MOT, while any cracks measuring more than 10mm on the driver’s side wiper area will also be failed.

If you are unsure of whether any cracks in your windscreen merit pre-MOT attention, consult with your car insurer. Many policies include windscreen cover that won’t affect your no claims bonus. 

Lights

All lights on a vehicle – headlights, rear lights, indicators, sidelights, brake lights, high-beam and fog lights – must be in good working condition.

Faulty or broken lights – particularly at the rear – can go unnoticed by a driver, so this is one of the most important areas to check before submitting to a test as even one broken bulb is enough to fail an MOT. 

Invest in the help of a friend or family member outside the vehicle to check the lights while you are stationary.

If you do need a fresh bulb, Wiperblades.co.uk offers a selection products that can be used as replacements to ensure you avoid any potentially costly changes insisted upon by your MOT garage.

Mirrors

Much like windscreens, mirrors are also checked rigorously for damage. This includes the rear-view mirror inside the vehicle and the door mirrors. 

They must be free from cracks or large chips.

Seatbelts & Horn

This is an easy one – check all the seatbelts are in good working order. They must click into the holder easily and be pulled without obtrusion. 

Make sure to give each seatbelt a hard tug too. They should react by locking as this will show the seatbelt pre-tensioners designed to keep you in place in an accident are functioning as they should.

And while you’re in the driver’s seat, give the horn a good honk to ensure it is working – just try not to alarm the neighbours too much.

Tyres

Tyres are a common reason for MOT failures if the tread has worn down over time. A good way to check this is to use a 20p coin to see if disappears in the tread – if you’re unsure, pop into your local garage for a quick consultation. 

They should also have the correct pressure, but if you’re not sure what this is, consult your handbook for this information before taking the vehicle to a local petrol station to use the air pump. 

After fitting the pump, the machine should inform you of how much pressure is in your tyre and give you the opportunity to add more air. 

Engine Oil

Check the oil level inside your engine to ensure it has the correct amount for it to function properly. You can do this by pulling out the dipstick, giving it a wipe with a cloth and placing it back in. Pull out the dipstick again to see where the oil level rises to – if it is between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick, it is fine.

If not, give the oil a top up but consult your handbook to find out which engine oil is best for your vehicle.

Brakes

When driving, be mindful of whether your vehicle pulls to one side or if it is not stopping as expected – if so, you could require new brake discs and brake pads.

Brake pads that have worn down or brake discs that are pitted are a common reason for a failed MOT and can lead to expensive repairs there and then in order to achieve a pass.

As such, it could be worthwhile consulting a mechanic to offer an expert opinion on whether to consider making repairs before your MOT to assure a pass in this area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an MOT?

MOT stands for (Ministry of Transport) and is an annual safety and environmental check for vehicles. It is a legal requirement for any model that is three years old or older. If a vehicle fails an MOT, it cannot be legally driven on the road without completing the necessary repairs as stipulated by your tester. However, these can often be minor, such as replacing wiper blades.  

When do new cars need an MOT?

A vehicle is required to have its first MOT three years on from the date it was registered. As an example, if your vehicle was registered on 15 November 2025, it’s MOT would be due on 15 November 2028. It will then require another MOT test every year thereafter.

Does my car need an MOT?

All vehicles of more than three-years old or older are required by law to have a valid MOT. You can check the MOT status of your vehicle and when your MOT is due on the Gov.uk website

What do they check on an MOT?

An MOT test checks for minimum safety and environmental standards. Involved in this is the checking of key components including wiper blades, windscreens, brakes, lights, suspension and tyres. Your vehicle will also be subject to an emissions test to check whether there are any issues with the exhaust or catalytic converter that would result in the output of excessive harmful emissions.

The results of the test will show areas in which your vehicle has passed (requires no attention), advisories (pass but will require attention before your next test) and failed (require immediate attention).

Can you drive a car without an MOT?

It is a legal requirement to drive a vehicle with a valid and current MOT certificate. Failure to do so can invalidate your insurance. Driving a vehicle without a valid MOT certificate – either because it has failed or it has elapsed – can result in a fine, points on your licence, a driving ban and/or a criminal conviction.