© 2009
A necessary evil ?
The MOT Test was introduced in 1960 and currently all cars over 3 years
old need to be tested annually. It is an offence to drive a car on the public
highway without a current MOT Test Certificate.
The MOT Test is not the same thing as a service; it is a very basic test for safety related
items and components should not be failed unless they are almost about to fall off ! The test
covers lighting, washers and wipers, tyres, steering & suspension, as well as the structure of
the vehicle. It also includes a rudimentary brake check - though we are not allowed to
remove wheels during the test so we cannot properly report on brake condition. The exhaust
emissions are also tested in for environmental reasons.
Although we all know that having to put your car through the MOT Test is a pain, we
should remember that it is a major contributor to road safety - there is no doubt that the
test prevents MANY road traffic accidents; EVERY SINGLE WEEK we have cars show up for
testing with the metal cords sticking out of their tyres (they are way past "bald" !), others
with wheel bearings about to collapse (and that means the wheel's about to fall off) and yet
more whose brake pedal goes right to the floor ! AND THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THE LIFE
WE SAVE COULD BE YOURS !!