One of the most common questions asked when it comes to an MOT check is what do you need to take to an MOT. To receive an MOT testing service, you’ll need to bring a few things to ensure the process runs smoothly and undisturbed. It’s worth mentioning that before the advancement of technology into our lives, going for an MOT test was a more difficult and demanding process.
Car owners had to take a pile of documents, letters, and certificates with them in order to receive the check. Thanks to the digital world, this information can now be easily accessed online. However, it’s still best to play safe and prepare in advance. Here are some of the main things that you need to take with you to an MOT:
Locking wheel nut key
Most car owners prefer to leave the wheel nut key somewhere inside the car to have it available at all times as it is very easy to forget. Furthermore, you may need it in an emergency situation that doesn’t necessarily involve an MOT check.
Vehicle Service logbook
Thanks to this logbook, the mechanics and technicians can get all the necessary data on the vehicle’s history. It will give them insights about the last time it was serviced, how long it has been since then, or provide answers to existing problems. Overall, this piece of information is essential to get an overview of the car’s history.
Prepare your car
Apart from a locking wheel nut key and vehicle service logbook, you’ll also need to ensure your car is clear of items in the boot and the backseat. This is recommended in order to provide easy access to the spare wheel if the technicians need to access this area. Car seats that are secured by a seatbelt are also recommended to be removed as the technician will need to test the seatbelts.
If this will be your first time experiencing an MOT check, there’s no harm in contacting the technicians beforehand to ask what you’ll need and how you can prepare better.
What documents do you need for an MOT?
So now that you’ve prepared by having all items necessary for the process, what documents do you need for an MOT? Let’s start with the general documents for MOT. Although nowadays most information can be accessed online, it’s a good idea to have with you the following. After all, you never know whether a system failure will prevent the experts from accessing the necessary information.
- Your driving license
- Proof of address
- Service history
- Certificate or Notice of Refusal
- Vehicle insurance certificate
- Existing MOT certificate
- Appointment letter
It’s important to make note of your MOT expiry time, which on standard is one year after the test. Most garages and car mechanics will offer a reminder when the expiration date approaches if you work with them often or they have your contact details. However, it’s best to rely on yourself and have a note of the date in order to avoid getting fined.
If you’re wondering about the standard MOT time taken, it’s safe to say that an average MOT test requires between 45 minutes up to an hour. However, there is no guarantee that the technicians will be finished in this timeframe as there are potential unexpected delays that may take place. For instance, there may be certain repairs that need to be made if the test fails. Considering that the test centre is not permitted to allow you to drive away if the test has failed, it may be a good idea to consider a plan B to get back home or use a different car for work while yours is being fixed.
And what happens if you’ve lost your documents? Losing your MOT certificate is a tricky situation but thankfully it can easily be resolved. You just need to call your MOT centre, provide your vehicle registration number and your V5C reference number. In return, you will be sent another MOT certificate.
It’s also important to prepare financially for the MOT test fee. This is not applicable if you’ve pre-paid for a certain time period. There is an officially set maximum fee that test centres can charge for an MOT test applied by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. For cars and motor caravans, the fee is £54.85 while for motorbikes it is £29.65. You can get a significant discount on these rates in some garages.
Keep track of your MOT certificate
Remember, one of the most important things is to remember when your MOT test expires and arrange a new one on time. Failing to do this could result in significant fees and even an inability to drive a car in the foreseeable future. We hope that the provided information will come in handy for your next MOT check.