MOT's

I constantly get pm's and e-mails about MOT tests.

For those that are not in the uk or not fully aware of what an MOT test is its a general roadworthiness test taken annually fior cars over 3 years old.

No MOT is a civil offence not a criminal offence so you won't go down for a stretch with no MOT. You can however be fined heavily and have the car taken off of you.

In some cases no MOT certificate means the insurance is void which is again an offence. You can be fined heavily and anywhere up to 8 points on your license plus an IN10 which means insurers can as much as DOUBLE your premium.

ALWAYS know when your MOT is about to expire.

The MOT rules are very fair. You can take your car to be tested 1 calender month before the date of expiry. It will then run until 1 year from the expiry date of the current certificate. You have to take the OLD certificate with you to do this.

For example, The MOT certificate expires on February the 1st 2007. You can take the car for a tert on the 1st of January 2007 and if the car passes the mot will expire on the 31st of January 2008.

Yes thats 13 months MOT.

The other major benefit of the 13 month rule is if the car fails, you have 1 month to resolve the faults.

Its frankly STUPID to take the car for its MOT on the day it expires or the day after or the next week whatever.

Its not worth getting a fine or worse. Its not worth going without your car whilst you save to have it repaired and the garage charges you for storing it if it needs welded etc.

The UK MOT test is quite lenient, theres no excuse for your car not to PASS.

Spend 2 minutes making sure all the lights work, the wiper blades are not split, the oil, coolant and washer levels are topped up.

A car that is well presented also receives fairer treatment than a manky banger.

Usefull links

http://www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring/Ow...icle/Mot/fs/en

http://www.ukmot.com/

http://www.motuk.co.uk/

http://www.motester.co.uk/