Mastering the Fundamentals of MOT and Vehicle Servicing

Owning a car means taking good care of the vehicle, which is the utmost responsibility. This responsibility involves bringing the car for servicing and then performing the MOT test. Both of these play an essential role, especially when your vehicle is in concern. So, to understand car servicing and MOT tests in the best possible way, this blog post will help give you an in-depth knowledge of the same.

Let’s have a look at it in the most comprehensive way possible. 

 

An MOT testing guide 

A test which stands for Ministry of Transportation is an annual yet the mandatory test is performed to see that the car is roadworthy and legally to be driven on the road. This test is more likely to be introduced under the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency) which is a government department. The guidelines which are set and followed during the inspection of the vehicle are often done by the government. At the time of inspection of the vehicle, it involves several parts which the vehicle is comprised of. It includes suspension, steering, mirrors, lights, horns, exhaust system, fuel system, brakes, windscreen wipers and many more. 

It is highly recommended to bring in the car for a legal MOT Northampton test to a reputable garage which is DVSA authorised. Looking at the purpose of the test is simply to protect drivers, passengers and road users from the risk of road accidents. With this test, the vehicle will stay updated and make you safer while driving. 

 

Checking during the MOT test

During the test, one of the essential things which is done is looking after the parts, both interior and exterior. A few of the components are as follows:

• A braking system is a component that helps the vehicle to stop whenever you require it. Therefore, being the crucial part, they are tested thoroughly. Things which are checked are brake pads, rotors, discs and overall condition of the brakes. 
• Ever thought about what makes the vehicles distinctive from each other, it is the identification number. VIN is what helps in identifying the vehicle, so make sure it is correctly set. It should not have anything missing, whether it is font or spacing, as this is probably done when the car owner customizes their number plate. Always make sure it is checked before the scheduled MOT test. 
• The examiner checks all the electrical systems, including lights. They keep checking that the lights are secured and are in good working condition. The lights which are looked at include headlights, indicators, brake lights and more. 
• Tyres, those components, which come into contact with the road surface. This is the most overlooked part by the examiner during the MOT test. What all is checked in the tyres, involves air pressure, tread depth and most importantly its overall condition.

 

Apart from this, other checks are:

• Suspension and steering
• Visibility
• Exhausts and emissions
• Body structure. 

 

 Engagement in car servicing 

Preventative maintenance plays an important role for the vehicle, which is basically by performing servicing at regular intervals. When you take car servicing as an utmost part of your daily schedule, then you are probably helping in prolonging its life and lesser risk involved, resulting in maintaining overall safety. Moreover, by this, you will be able to run the car smoothly and efficiently, which leads to less money involved in costly repairs and replacement. Car servicing Northampton will probably be expensive only when you don’t perform it periodically. 

This simply means inspecting the parts, making certain adjustments and if it requires replacement then it is done seriously. Some of these includes replacing the air filters, inspecting fluid levels, removing the worn-out parts, adjusting brakes and many more. Performing this thoroughly is not only capable of running the car smoothly but also lasts longer. 

 

Essential for smooth vehicle performance

Servicing the car is only about keeping the car in optimum condition. This will often be done when you perform it on a priority basis or when there is a deterioration of the performance. For vehicles that are in different needs, various services are introduced. These are particularly divided into three includes:

• Interim service
• Major service 
• Full service 

All of these three services carry an essential role differently for the vehicle. They are designed particularly according to the condition. Simply, for all those car owners who are opting for interim service can be recommended only when the vehicle completed certain miles and months. In this service, they should have either 6,000 miles or 6 months, anything that comes in the first place.

However, to choose major service, the car must have completed 12,000 miles or 12 months. In this service, as compared to interim service, the number of parts checked are more. Because interim service, is known as the basic type of service, therefore only the common parts are thoroughly being looked after. 

Lastly, the full service, which the name says it all. It means the entire is checked, following all the interior and exterior components.