Your MOT Expiry Date

Pre-MOT Checklist

These are the most common reasons cars fail their MOT. Check each one before you take it in — many can be fixed cheaply at home.

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Engine Warning Light
Any active fault codes will cause an automatic MOT fail. Read and clear codes before your test.
Check Fault Codes →
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Brake Pads & Discs
Worn pads or grooved/corroded discs are a major MOT fail point. Check pad thickness and disc condition.
Brake Guides →
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Tyres
Minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Check all four wheels and the sidewalls for cracks or bulges.
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Lights
Check all lights: headlights (dip and main beam), brake lights, reverse light, number plate light, indicators, fog lights. Get someone to help you check brake and reverse lights.
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Windscreen & Wipers
Any crack larger than 10mm in the driver's line of sight, or larger than 40mm elsewhere, is a fail. Check wiper blades — they must clear the screen effectively.
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Exhaust Emissions
A running fault code related to emissions (EGR, DPF, catalytic converter) will cause a fail. Make sure no warning lights are on.
Check Fault Codes →
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Horn
Test it — must work and be loud enough. Rarely fails but worth 10 seconds to check.
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Steering & Suspension
Listen for knocking over bumps (worn ball joints, drop links). Check for excessive play in the steering wheel.
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Seatbelts
Check all seatbelts extend, retract, and latch properly. Check the webbing for cuts or fraying.
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Number Plate
Must be clean, secure, correctly formatted, and the number plate light must work.
Pro Tip from Mr Auto Fixer

An OBD scanner is the single most useful thing you can have before an MOT. It lets you read and clear fault codes before the tester does — and see if any readiness monitors aren't set (which is also a fail).