MOT Test
The MOT test is an annual test of vehicle safety, roadworthiness aspects and exhaust emissions required in the United Kingdom for most vehicles over three years old used on any way defined as a road in the Road Traffic Act 1988.
The MOT test was first introduced in 1960 as a few basic tests of a vehicle and now covers 20 different parts or systems on or in the car.
Test classification
The test classes are:
- Class I — Motor bicycles (with or without side cars) up to 200cc
- Class II — All motor bicycles (including Class I) (with or without side cars).
- Class III — 3-wheeled vehicles not more than 450 kg unladen weight (excluding motor bicycles with side cars).
- Class IV — Cars, including 3-wheeled vehicles more than 450 kg unladen weight, taxis, minibuses and ambulances up to 12 passenger seats, Goods Vehicles not exceeding 3,000 kg Design Gross Weight (DGW), motor caravans and Dual Purpose Vehicles.
- Class V — Private passenger vehicles, ambulances, motor caravans and dual purpose vehicles with 13 or more passenger seats
- Class VII — Goods vehicles over 3,000 kg up to and including 3,500 kg DGW. If a vehicle is presented with a manufacturer’s plate and a ‘Ministry plate’ the weights to be used are those on the ‘Ministry plate’.
- PSV test (Class VI) — Public service vehicles used for hire or reward with more than eight passenger seats (test conducted by DVSA/DVA staff their own stations, or at DVSA authorised testing facilities (ATF) or designated premises (DP)).
- HGV test — Goods vehicles over 3,500 kg GVW and trailers over 1,020 kg unladen weight or 3,500 kg GVW if fitted with overrun brakes (test conducted by DVSA/DVA staff their own stations, or at a DVSA authorised testing facility (ATF) or designated premises (DP)).
The MOT test covers the following aspects
- Exhaust and emissions
- Seat belts
- Steering
- Windscreen
- Bonnet catch
- Horn
- Number plate
- Lights
- Brakes
- Mirrors
- Doors
- Seats
- Suspension
- Fuel system
- Body and structure
- Battery & Wiring