10/08/2026
MOT coming up? Don't fail on something you could have checked at home! 👨🔧
Here’s a short list of things you can do at home to help prevent your car from failing on something silly...
💡 Lights & indicators
Test your headlights, full beams, indicators, fog lights and reg plate lights. Switch on your hazard lights and walk around the vehicle to make sure all indicators are working. For brake lights, use the reflection in a window or ask a friend to help.
🛞 Tyres
Check the tread depth using the tread wear indicators in the grooves of the tyre. The tread must be at least 1.6mm over 3/4 of the central tyre and around the entire circumference. Also check for any cuts, cracks or bulges.
🪟 Windscreen & wipers
Look for chips or cracks in your windscreen, particularly in the driver's line of sight. Damage larger than 10mm in the driver's line of sight or 40mm elsewhere can cause an MOT failure.
Also check that your wiper rubber isn't torn or split and that the wipers are working properly and clearing the windscreen.
⚠️ Dashboard warning lights
Make sure no important warning lights, such as the engine or airbag warning lights, stay illuminated when the engine is running.
🧹 General clean-up
Remove excessive clutter from the boot and interior, and make sure your number plates are clean and clearly readable.
🔧 There are also a number of other things your MOT tester will check, including working seatbelts, brakes, suspension components, steering and more.
📋 Want to know exactly what gets checked?
I’ve attached the MOT inspection checklist, along with information on how to check when your MOT expires in the comments 👇
