Ways to make sure your car passes its MOT with flying colours

Many people don’t prepare their car for an MOT at all, when a set of simple checks could save you time, money and inconvenience.

Many cars fail on the basic items we’re about to highlight, leaving you rushing around attempting to fix them at late notice and possibly great expense.

Mark Lewis, IAM director of standards, says start on the outside:

Wash your car. This will allow you to see any damage, especially to wheels

Check tyres. Make sure there is no damage and there is there is a tread depth of at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre width and around the whole circumference of the tyre

Clean your windscreen so you can see any cracks

Make sure all lights are working get someone to help with brake lights or look at a reflection in a shop window or garage door

Lift the wipers and check the feathered edge (the thin part of the blade that touches the screen) for any damage. Then wipe them with a damp cloth

Look under the car to see if there are any fluid leaks

Now let’s talk fluids:

Make sure all fluids under the bonnet are topped up – these areas are often marked in yellow

Make sure the windscreen washer nozzles are working and aim at the windscreen

Don’t forget about the rear wash-wipe if your car has one

Moving inside:

Make sure the horn works

Does the parking brake hold the car?

Pull all the seat belts out the entire way and make sure they retract. Unwind if necessary

Mark said: “These basic checks will help make your chances of passing an MOT much greater. So many fails are as a result of these issues.

“But what I have suggested should not just be a once-a-year activity – these are checks that should be part of a weekly routine to ensure your car is safe to be driven day in, day out.”