A pre-MOT inspection, as the name implies, is an inspection of your vehicle done before the MOT test. The MOT test is the annual inspection that determines your vehicle's overall condition and how roadworthy it is - driving without a valid MOT is a criminal offence.
MOT checklist
We all want our MOTs to pass without a hitch. That’s why many of us book services or quick fixes beforehand to minimise time and money spent. It can be tough to know what needs fixing though, which is why having an MOT checklist to hand can be useful.
According to 2015 DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) statistics, almost 50% of MOTs fail due to simple maintenance issues. With the MOT preparation checklist below, you can check through important aspects of your car’s MOT. If you discover any issues, be sure to get a professional if you’re not a car maintenance expert – DIY repairs can end up costing you much more!
Have a question regarding your MOT or this MOT checklist? Message us online or via live chat, or call us today – our team is here to help.
MOT test checklist 2026
We CarFix Garage regularly update this MOT preparation checklist as the MOT test changes over time. You’ll also find percentages based on official data, which show you a list of MOT fails according to each section of the test.
To make your pre-MOT test check simpler, print off this page and tick off each section as you go through.
Lighting and signaling
DVSA statistics from July to September 2019 show that 14% of all Class 3 and 4 car MOT failures were due to lighting issues such as a blown bulb, inoperative number plate light, or faulty indicator. Your car can fail if your headlights are misted, misaligned, or cracked too.
When conducting your pre-MOT check, take a good look around your car and ask a friend or family member to confirm all the lights are functioning – headlights, indicators, number plate lights, sidelights, fog lights and brake lights.
Fluids
Your MOT test will cover fluids like screen wash, so be sure to top it up.
Your car will need sufficient oil in its engine to pass the exhaust emissions test too. With your car parked on an even surface, pull out the oil dipstick and wipe it clean. Insert it back in for a minute and remove it, checking the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick.
Your tester will also need to conduct emissions tests, so make sure you have enough fuel in the tank as well.
While going through this pre-MOT checklist, it’s also a good idea to top up other important fluids too, like engine coolant.
Steering and suspension
The same DVSA statistics show 18% of cars failed due to suspension issues like a leaking shock absorber or snapped coil spring. It’s not easy to spot these parked, so while driving, listen out for any unusual noises or peculiar driving characteristics when cornering or braking.
You as a car owner can also carry out the ‘bounce test’ when going through your MOT preparation checklist. Simply push down on each corner of your vehicle and let go. The car should immediately spring up to its normal position rather than bouncing up and down.
Check your steering too – is it responsive?
Body, chassis, and structure
7% of all MOT defects were related to body, chassis, and structure.
If your car has corrosion or rust within 12cm of a structurally important area, you can fail the test. And if there are any sharp edges that could cause injury, these could also result in a failure.
To check for these, give the exterior surfaces of your vehicle and the engine bay a thorough inspection.
Brakes
17% of car MOT failures are due to brake defects picked up in the MOT brake efficiency test. Most often, this is caused by worn brake pads and or worn, pitted, or warped brake discs.
You may be able to see the pads and discs through your alloy wheels, so check each one thoroughly.
Also, during your MOT test checklist session, try listening out for any grinding sounds when driving. Does your brake pedal feel spongy or does the car pull to one side when braking?
Check your handbrake as well. If you parked on a steep hill, would it hold the vehicle in place effectively?
Tyres
12% of fails are due to tyre issues and these are perhaps the easiest components to check.
The law requires 1.6mm of tread depth across the entire central three-quarters of the tyre. You can check this with a 20p coin – the 20p test. Insert the coin into the tread groove of each tyre. If the outside band of the 20p coin is visible, then the tread is less than 1.6mm.
Are all the tyres the same size and with the correct load and speed rating? Are there lumps or bulges in the tyre tread or wall? Are your tyre pressures correct and in line with those set out by the vehicle manufacturer?
If in doubt while assessing your tyres during this MOT checklist, bring your car to one of our branches and we’ll check it for free.
Number plates
Since 2018, number plates have been included in the MOT test, which is why they’re a key part of any MOT checklist. This is covered under the identification of the vehicle section of the MOT and accounted for 1% of all MOT failures.
According to the British Number Plate Manufacturers Association, these must be clearly visible, free from damage, and completely laminated. They cannot have any background overprinting, or any fixings or features that obscure their legal view.
All vehicles registered after September 1st, 2001 need to have a honeycomb construction too, and all plates must be properly affixed to the car.
Visibility
8% of MOT failures are caused by issues affecting the driver's view of the road.
In your MOT checklist, see whether the wipers working properly and if you can squirt the washer fluid onto your windscreen.
Are there any cracks in the windscreen within the range of the wiper blades? A 40mm crack on the passenger side is an MOT fail, while on the driver’s side, 10mm can stop you from passing.
Next, see if anything else is obscuring the driver’s view, such as a dashcam, sat-nav, or any object obscuring the rear windscreen.
Lastly, check whether your screenwash is topped up.
Exhaust
4% of all fails are due to noise, emissions and leaks – key environmental aspects of the MOT test.
When going through your MOT checklist, check whether you can hear the exhaust blowing and if you can smell exhaust fumes inside the car.
Can you hear any unusual rattling or banging during normal driving that might suggest the exhaust is not attached properly? This can be a very simple fix for you or a mechanic to conduct.
Bonnet, boot, and doors
Your bonnet, boot, and door handle releases must work correctly, so check whether they stick, and they do, consider oiling them prior to your test.
Interior
While the interior is not a specific section of the test, your dashboard warning lights are covered under lamps, reflectors, and electrical equipment.
They should come on when you turn the ignition on and then turn off after a moment. If any are still showing, then you need to get those checked out beforehand.
If you’re unsure what the dashboard lights mean, then consider booking a diagnostic check.
Seats and seatbelts
Comprising 2% of all fails, seats and seatbelts should nevertheless be a key safety aspect of your MOT checklist process.
Check each seatbelt by pulling down sharply – you should feel it lock in place. Make sure all seatbelts can be secured into their locking mechanism too, and ensure that the seats can move backwards and forwards, and be locked in position effectively.
Horn
Finally, honk your horn with a friend or family member stood some distance away. Can other road users hear it?
MOT major fault list
Any item on the MOT that poses a safety risk to drivers, pedestrians, the environment, or other road users will be listed as a major fault. That means that any part of this checklist can be marked as a major fault.
Book your MOT in London with CarFix Garage
The MOT checklist above will help you pick up some of the most common failure items and hopefully save you time and money.
CarFix Garage are the UK leaders in MOT testing. Book your test with us for a simple and straightforward assessment and be sure to set an MOT reminder so you never miss a renewal date and get your next MOT at a discounted rate.
Hence, stop searching for ‘pre mot check near me’ and visit us today at Unit 4, 30-100 Colindeep Ln, London, NW9 6HB.
CarFix Garage are the leading experts in automotive parts repair including tyres, MOT , car servicing, collision repair and more. To find out more about pre mot checks in London NW, contact us online here or call us directly on 020 8200 8181
