What to do if MOT certificate expires?

Taking your vehicle for the MOT test in a year is not only necessary but a legal requirement for all vehicles in the UK. The MOT test ensures the car is roadworthy and safe for you and other drivers on the road, besides making sure a safe quantity of exhaust eruptions are given off from the car. No matter how long you have been driving and what condition your vehicle may be, no one appreciates the dreaded feeling of having to travel to the local garage for their yearly MOT test. There are several checks included on the list to pass the test such as lights, brakes, car body, seat belts, tyres, and many more. These areas of your car could be the reason for an MOT fail.

The service of MOT Warrington is offered by various Auto Centres in Warrington.

What to do if the MOT certificate expires? You might not be informed of this, but you can book your vehicle for its MOT up to one month before the expiry date, and still have the latest MOT run for a complete year from the expiry date. Furthermore, since the entire process is now computerised, you do not have to spend time driving around for the old MOT certificate.

If your vehicle fails its MOT before your old MOT certificate expires:

• It is not legally right to drive your vehicle with harmful faults so these require to be repaired immediately. In case, if you are driving a vehicle with a harmful fault, you could be fined or restricted from driving and get three points on your driving license because your car is automatically marked as no more lasting road allowed on the UK’s digital vehicle database.
• If your vehicle's old MOT certificate is still valid, you are allowed to drive your car with a significant fault because you got your car in for an MOT test shortly. But the damages appeared on your vehicle can make it unroadworthy and if checked by the policemen you could involve in legal action.

If your vehicle fails the MOT on the same day as your MOT certificate expires:

• As you cannot drive a vehicle with harmful faults so you may take your car to get it repaired, but if you are caught by police and deem it not roadworthy, you could be prosecuted.
• If you have repaired the fault on your vehicle, you can use your car to a garage for an MOT test. Further, without repairs, it could fail the MOT test.

One simple alternative to solve such issues with whether or not you can legitimately drive the car is to have the servicing done at the same garage where your vehicle failed its MOT test. If you take your car elsewhere for repair and deliver it before the closing of the next working day, the test is usually free.

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10 Ways to Help Your Car Pass Its MOT

You need to make sure that your vehicle does not fail its MOT test which means you should examine any possible issue with your vehicle before the time of the MOT test. The failure of an MOT test will not be just concerning the major improvements that you are not performing but the easy things that you do not pay attention to. For instance, there are some cases where vehicles have failed due to faulty doors and locks. The tester will also be looking at the car handles to ensure that they are in excellent working condition. These are not offensive items that do not influence the safety of the vehicle. If these are not in good working order that is required, then it might be a difficult situation for you. The effort you put into the preparation for the MOT test need to consider the points that might appear to be ordinary. They are vital factors for all regards. You can save time and money by doing some easy tasks and maintenance before you take your car to the MOT test center. It will help your car to pass the test for the first time.

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1. Lights - Lights and indicators must be in good working order so that your vehicle can pass its MOT test successfully. You should pay attention to the brake lights, they need to be checked regularly. You need to make sure that the headlights are not loose and verify if they work automatically as they need to appear on once the vehicle has started. When you do all such light checks and everything is in good condition as a result, you should not have any issue passing your MOT test.
   
2. Tyre Tread Depth - This could be the one reason for MOT test failure. The tyres with low tread have limited gripping abilities and can cause risks in your safety. Usually, tyres need to have a minimum of 1.6mm tread depth.
   
3. Tyre Condition - If you check your tyres regularly, then there should be no issue passing your MOT inspection. The tyres need to be the right type to suit your car and this will be instantly recognisable when the MOT is being carried. It is advised to understand your car manually or ask a professional to make sure.
   
4. Windscreen - While driving on the road, it is essential to have a clear view of the path ahead. There should be no damage to the windscreen. If it has any minor damage, it can be repaired, but you need to ask a specialist before the MOT test.
   
5. Wipers & Washers - Take a look at the wipers. Make sure that your windshield wipers are in good working order and they do not have any damage. They must be in an accurate position.
   
6. Brakes - It is imperative to determine the condition of your brakes. If you observe that something is not right with your brakes, you should take it to the repair center before the MOT comes up. The car’s performance and capability should be examined and brakes that lock up will involve the MOT will fail as your vehicle will not be secure, even if there is just the most common issue with the brakes.
   
7. Seat Belts - Seat belts must be tightly secured and your seat needs to be in the correct position. Make sure, your seatbelt should be the right type, right amount, and in the right position.
   
8. Registration Plates - Your registration plates are one of the elements that will be checked during its MOT testing. This is examined in the MOT inspection to ensure your listing complies with the Road Vehicles' display of registration records regulation. To pass this particular inspection, you should have the clear and apparent registration plates that are fixed at the right place. To comply with laws, they must have the right colour, letters must be accurate, the front should be in the right size, and it should not have any decay or damage.
   
9. Mirrors - Car mirrors need to be in great condition and front and rear view mirrors should be perfectly attached to the vehicle as a damaged mirror can make your vehicle fail the MOT.
   
10. Vehicle Body - The car body is also a determinant factor in an MOT inspection. If the car body performance has rust, then it will certainly fail the test as it shows that the vehicle is not looking as good as needed. You need to make sure that your car body does not have any damage or dangerous sharp edges on it.

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Everything You Need To Know About Your Car MOT Check

What Is An MOT Check?

The MOT test is a testing process that is done on the vehicle to make sure it is roadworthy. In the UK, a vehicle must comply with certain criteria to prove its competence. MOT which refers to the Ministry of Transport is a governing form in the United Kingdom that controls the suitability of every vehicle on the road. If your vehicle does not comply with specific safety terms, then it will not pass the MOT test. If a car fails the MOT test, the car owner requires to spend time either fixing the faults that caused a failure or have a garage service for it. Knowing issues earlier will help car owners have time to fix those problems before the test is performed. The test does not include the status of the engine, clutch, and gearbox. However, it is also not a guarantee of the overall health of the vehicle. Lastly, it does not indicate that the vehicle is roadworthy for the duration of the certificate.

Check All you need to know about MOT Testing

What Checks Are Conducted In An MOT?

Most people are unsure what checks are conducted when it comes to the MOT testing and hence they thought it can be expensive to get one done. For those people, it could be said that they are investing the money in their safety. Here is the list of what is actually checked in an MOT test.

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• The Body - The body of your vehicle will be checked for any damage. Extreme damage that has been left untreated could create more losses to the structure of the vehicle. Corrode or corrosion will indicate that the material is not as powerful as it should be and could collapse greatly in a disaster. Within the process, the body is also checked for ‘do it yourself’ patches that are not appropriate for the vehicle.se

• Seat Belts - Your seat belts should be arranged and in operating order. According to the law, it is a must to use a vehicle with the use of seat belts. When the professional is reviewing the seat belts of your vehicle, they will also be examining the performance order of the airbags and ensuring the safety features within the vehicle all work perfectly.

• Brakes - One of the essential parts of a vehicle are brakes and they must work properly. No professional is going to take a vehicle on the road with damaged brakes that are only asking for the accident. When they review the brake signal lights, they will also look at the brake fluid lights.

• Exhaust Fan - The exhaust fan is conducted to make sure it is working efficiently. The enzyme has to be working accurately and if it has been repaired, they have to ensure it is up to the expected standards. Make sure it does not have any leaks.

• Interior - Inside your car, the mirrors should be perfectly adjusted and the doors must close securely when closed. Also, doors should open from the inside and the outside precisely for the protection of the riders and the driver. The seats must be accurately and securely attached inside the car.

• Tyres - Tyres are one of the most precious parts of any vehicle so they must be in excellent condition to run on the road. There should be no cracks in the wheels or any lack of tread. A good technician will check that the tyres are the best for the model of the vehicle. Besides, they will check the strength of each tyre.

• Lights - All the lights of a car must be in good condition and work properly.

What To Do Before Your MOT Test?

There are several check-ups and tests that you can do by yourself, but most people ignore such things. By performing such tasks, you will be able to find the sections of your car which may require servicing and you will be able to estimate for any needed repairs. If your vehicle is occurred to fail then you have some time for service centres to get your vehicle fixed and re-tested.

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Why You Should Choose Ashcroft Auto Centre For Your Car MOT Check?

At Ashcroft Auto Centre, we provide several premium vehicle services at pocket-friendly prices. Our services will ensure you are MOT prepared and safe on the road. Our garage is known for its excellent car repairs and MOT testing services. We provide repairing services for all kinds of vehicles as our skilled team members hold the wide experience that makes it simple for us to instantly find the reasons for error in the vehicle and so we do the servicing as per the rules of car manufacturers.

Our services are accessible at any time as we consider your convenience as well as provide emergency services and assist you at the time of requirement. Ashcroft is a renowned place as a certified MOT testing station because the Trading Standards Authority has confirmed our performance standards so our test report is allowed everywhere.

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Things To Look When Choosing MOT Testing Garage

Maintaining a vehicle well is quite necessary to enhance its life span and ensure the best appearance of a vehicle. There are numerous ways to make sure your vehicle is well maintained and one of the most significant is getting the MOT test. Everyone who drives a vehicle in the UK must know the MOT test (Ministry of Transport Test) is a mandatory certificate which is a statutory necessity for all vehicles over a period of 3 years. As a car proprietor, it is your duty to get this certificate which guarantees your vehicle is roadworthy at all times. This is valid for one year and you need to renew it before it expires.

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Here are some tips to find a reliable MOT testing garage. 

• For better results, it is vital to look for the right MOT test garage to ensure you are receiving a professional estimation. For this, you have to ensure that that MOT test garage is a well-established MOT testing centre which is designated by a symbol. It shows that the MOT testing centre has been verified by the board of transport and it is adequate to do the test.

• When you are looking for a test garage you should make sure that the garage seems professional and qualified. There should be enough parking amenities, a test window with an inspection zone, an underside entrance, and all the essential tools to carry out the procedure. You will normally have to get an appointment for the MOT test so you will have a chance to ensure the centre looks qualified and equipped.

• An MOT test includes testing your vehicle for both security and radiation levels. AT the garage, they will carry out many tests on your car or vehicle including testing the lights, brakes, fuel system, doors, and the level of radiation being created by your vehicle. Moreover, they will test security features such as seats, seatbelts, horns, and steering controls.

Read How to find the best garage for Car Repair and Test of MOT Warrington.

Besides the above things, you should ask for the testing cost before they begin the procedure. Nowadays, you can find many reliable MOT test garages available in your areas. With the above considerations, you can surely find the right one.

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The Benefits of Do-It-Yourself Vehicle Repairs and Maintenance

Owning a vehicle also involves a responsibility of maintaining it properly so that damages are avoided. Though the auto repair professionals are the right persons to be contacted to resolve a major issue, the minor issues can be handled by yourself.

With the recession in the economy, many people throughout the world are looking for the ways through which they can decrease the amount of money they spend on the repair and maintenance of their vehicle every year. Though you will find a Garage in Warrington that charge a fair price for performing the repairs but as soon as the tax and labour charges are included, it will cost a small fortune.

A recent survey done on the car mechanics suggests that around 50-60% of auto repairs that are done in garages by the professionals can also be done at the home with the help of right tools and the right knowledge. The user manual that comes with the vehicle at the time of purchase is the best way to start with DIY repairs. It contains the detailed information along with the diagrams to help you fix the repair issues.

In addition, you can also join auto maintenance classes provided by the local mechanics who charge a small fee to help you learn the basics of auto repair. If this is not the option, you can browse the Internet to get yourself acquainted with the technicalities of your vehicle. You will find various online tutorials on performing the vehicle repairs free of cost. Moreover, buying books on auto repair is one of the best alternatives to get started, but the type of information you get entirely depends on the quality and reliability of the book.

Hope the above information can help you realize that it is possible to do some simple repairs by yourself, saving you a good amount of your hard-earned money at the same time.

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