First-Time Buyers: What To Expect For Your MOT

Buying your first car is very exciting. You finally have the freedom you always dreamed of and you can go on trips further afield. But within the first year of owning your car, the MOT will eventually roll around. Your MOT and service will give you an indication of how well your car is doing and whether there needs to be any repairs or maintenance done on it. If you’re a first-time car owner, you may be wondering what an MOT is and how it works.

This is our guide to help you.



What is an MOT?

MOT stands for Ministry of Transport which refers to the relevant government department responsible since the test was first introduced in 1960. Cars older than 3 years must undergo MOT testing every year to check how roadworthy the car is.

What will a car MOT test check?

Your MOT testing will check a range of car parts such as the braking and fuel system, seatbelts, wipers, mirrors, lights and exhausts. It won’t consider the condition of the engine, gearbox or clutch, but covers all of the essential parts of your car to check it is safe to drive. The garage will also check some car's exhaust emissions, if they are too high your vehicle will fail.

When should you book an MOT test?

Your car won’t remind you when you need to get an MOT, you’ll need to keep on top of it yourself. Your car MOT will be at the same time every year, not the date that you bought the car. If you bought the car in March but your car MOT is only valid until June, you will have to get an MOT after 3 months of owning the car.

How long will the MOT test take?

The test usually only takes 45 minutes. However, some garages allow you to sit and wait while the test is being done, while others may ask you to drop the car off in the morning and collect it as and when it is done, which could be later in the afternoon. This means you may have to plan a ride to and from the garage so you can go about your day while the test is being completed.

Do you need an MOT and service for your car? Acorn Tyres Aylesbury offers car MOT testing for your vehicle. Call us today to learn more.