Our cars are often one of the most important investments we make, right up there with the properties we live in. However, not enough of us take sufficient care of our cars, vans and motorcycles to make sure that when it comes round to MOT time, we’re presented with a nice piece of paper with a big ‘pass’ stamp on it. Instead we let our vehicles get into such a state that we hand the keys over at the test centre almost expecting it to fail.
When you buy a car from a dealer, you have a series of checks performed on the car to make sure that it’s road legal, but over time problems can develop that may not have been present when you bought the car. What many people don’t understand is that they can actually prevent, or at least slow, this development.
A full MOT is a legal requirement and it can present car owners with a series of expensive repairs so it’s worth making a list of checks that you can perform yourself, and regularly, that will only take a matter of moments. This checklist should include:
- Lights. Having your lights working sufficiently doesn’t just help you to see when it’s dark, they help you to see other road users and for them to see you. When you’re parked at home, start the engine and switch on your headlights, get out and make sure that they’re working sufficiently – and those to the rear – and check the full beam. If you’ve got someone to help you it’s worth checking the brake lights work sufficiently, and the hazard and indicator lights so that other road users and pedestrians can clearly see your intentions. A frequently forgotten check is the light on your number plate – it is an offence if this light isn’t working because police and speed cameras are unable to pick up the plate.
- Tyres. It is a legal requirement for tyres to have a certain level of tread (1.6mm), so that they can remain in the best possible contact with the surface, and so they have the grip to stop under braking. Keep a close eye on the condition of your tyres as you’ll definitely need them to be in the best possible condition come winter.
- Windscreen and wipers. Chips and cracks in the windscreen can develop into broken screens if you go over bumps or subject the glass to extreme temperatures. Also, chips in the eye line of the driver are deemed to be an MOT failure so get the windscreen repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Changing your wipers every few months can also help because you can keep the dirt and grease from the roads away from the glass helping you to see the road clearly at all times, rain or shine.
- Oil. Keeping the engine well lubricated is key to prolonging the life of the ‘heart’ of the vehicle. Check your owner’s manual to find out which oil is the best for your car, and keep a close eye on the oil level using the dipstick. It should always be above the minimum mark. If it drops below, you run the risk of causing irreparable damage to the engine.
- Brakes. When at home with the engine running, test your brakes by feeling how ‘spongy’ the response is. You want the brakes to work as efficiently as possible and the more ‘slack’ the pedal is the less responsive it will be so have this seen to professionally if you notice any issues.
