MOT tests are standard for vehicles if you’re living in the UK. The acronym is well-known for any car-owner, although hardly anyone knows what it stands for. Actually, MOT used to mean Ministry of Transport, and it was this department that monitored all vehicles using the roads. The department has long since disappeared, but the term MOT has endured. What it means is that your vehicle needs to be tested on an annual basis to ensure that it continues to meet road safety and environmental standards. New cars are presumed to be in good condition, so it’s only after a car reaches the third year of its registration that MOT testing is required by law. It’s essential that this test is carried out not only for safety but because hefty fines of up to £1,000 can be levied if you are found driving a vehicle that doesn’t have a valid MOT.
What to do if you need MOT testing in Totnes
Your MOT lasts for a year. The earliest you can be re-tested and receive a new certificate is a month (minus one day) before the current MOT runs out. Thus, if your last test was conducted on the 24th February, you can apply for a new certificate on the 25th January the following year. You would most likely want to do your MOT testing locally, and there are numerous garages where this MOT testing in Totnes can take place. You can find out if the business has a nominated MOT tester on-site. This tester will have been authorised by VOSA – the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, which is a government body. The tester will carry out comprehensive checks on your vehicle. In some situations, the garage may allow you to watch the test from a designated viewing area, but you will not be allowed to interact with or interrupt the tester. If you’re observing, you’ll see that checks involve the interior, under the bonnet and under the vehicle as well, and that the results are being recorded. You can click here to get more details.
Once the test is completed, you will receive a report from the tester. If you have allowed the garage to do a pre-inspection first, the chances are that your vehicle will pass the test. Sometimes there are things that a tester picks up that are not serious enough to fail the vehicle, but the items will be mentioned to you so that you can keep an eye on them and take the necessary safety steps during the year.
Completing annual MOT testing in Totnes is essential for all vehicle owners with cars older than three years. Monnington Motors Ltd has a branch in Totnes, and their trained MOT testers can assist you.