How to Prep Your Car for Its Annual MOT: The Ultimate Checklist

1. Lights and indicators (most common fail)

A large share of MOT faults relate to lighting and signalling.

• Action: Ignition on — check headlights, high beams, tails, indicators and hazards.
• Pro tip: Use a wall reflection or a helper for brake lights. Don’t forget rear number-plate lamps.

2. Windscreen, wipers and washer fluid

Your view of the road must be unobstructed.

• Wipers: Replace blades that tear or smear.
• Windscreen: A chip or crack larger than 10mm in the driver’s swept vision (or 40mm elsewhere in the swept area) is an immediate fail.
• Washers: Top up screenwash — empty washers are a silly but common fail.

3. Wheels and tyres

Test centres treat tyres with zero tolerance.

• Tread depth: Legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters. Use the 20p test — if the outer band of the coin is visible in the tread, replace the tyre.
• Condition: Check sidewalls for bulges, cuts or exposed cords.

4. Fluids, oil and fuel

The tester needs to run the engine for emissions.

• Engine oil and coolant between Min and Max.
• Enough fuel for the test — roughly a quarter tank is a safe rule of thumb.

After you pass: track advisories

Advisories aren’t fails — but ignoring them is how next year’s bill grows. With The Owners Club you can import official MOT history from the DVSA, turn advisories into a maintenance checklist, and log DIY fixes with receipts so the work is proven.