In the UK, most people aren’t thrilled when their MOT deadline rolls around.
This annual test ensures all cars on the road hit the minimum benchmark for safety and performance. Although it might be pain, not having an MOT would make our roads a much more dangerous place.
MOT day doesn’t have to be a stressful occasion. Whether you own a VW Golf, Audi A3, Seat Leon, or Skoda Octavia, preparing your vehicle beforehand can save you time, money and, most importantly, worry. You’re probably wondering what you need to check, what can go wrong and how to ensure your VW makes the grade on the first go. While we can’t promise anything, you can do several things to help the process along. And here they are.
Pre-MOT tick list
Carry out a few basic checks before you drive to the garage. These might seem obvious or a waste of time, but trust us, you’ll find them worthwhile. We’ll explain why shortly.
- Exterior lights – make sure all headlights, indicators, rear lights, reverse lights, fog lights, brake lights, high beams, etc, work. Walk around your vehicle or ask a friend to help confirm.
- Wipers and washers – top up the washer fluid and spray the windscreen. Check the wipers clear the screen.
- Tyres – check the tread depths and look for any signs of wear. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm, but it’s worth replacing tyres once they reach 3 mm.
- Fluid levels – top up your oil, coolant and brake fluid if necessary. These might not directly impact the MOT, but it’s good practice.
- Windscreen chips – some small windscreen chips (especially in the driver’s field of vision) mean an automatic MOT fail. Consider asking your insurance company to come out and fix them before the test starts.
So, why go through the trouble of fixing these before the MOT test? Because they’re relatively straightforward. Getting them fixed before the test means your car is more likely to pass. However, it doesn’t make sense to go to a test knowing you’ll fail. Most garages will help you schedule a repair or service appointment before your MOT so you can rest assured of an immediate pass.
VW-specific issues to keep an eye out for
Certain Volkswagen models may have common issues that crop up more frequently during the MOT test. Here’s a breakdown of what to pay extra attention to:
- Emissions system – diesel particulate filters (DPFs) clog up in older VW diesel models. During the emissions part of the test, your car might fail. Regular driving and keeping the engine at higher RPMs helps to burn off soot from the filter. The hotter your engine gets the better, so go for a drive up and down the motorway or the A38 to help flush everything through.
- Dashboard warning lights – there’s no such thing as a meaningless dashboard warning light. They’re all there for a reason. If you notice any illuminated warning lights, it’s worth having a quick diagnostic run to catch potential problems before the MOT.
- Suspension and steering components – suspension bushings and shock absorbers wear out over time. These parts should be inspected regularly to ensure they’re in top shape before the test. While this isn’t a unique problem to VW, it’s still worth checking.
- Brakes – while the MOT primarily checks brake performance, ensuring your brake pads and discs are in good condition beforehand means passing with flying colours.
How to prepare your VW for its MOT
The MOT ensures your car meets the minimum standards for being allowed on British roads. Make life easier for yourself and the technician by following a few simple steps.
Tidy the inside of the car. It doesn’t have to be spotless, but make sure the technician can get inside to check the seats, seat belts and instruments without any problems.
Remove any child seats. For safety and liability reasons, the technician probably won’t remove child seats, so they won’t check the associated seats and seat belts.
Clear out your boot. The technician needs to check the spare wheel, so if it’s underneath your boot floor, make sure they can easily access it.
Give the outside of your car a quick wash if it’s dirty. Once again, there’s no need for the full clay bar treatment, but make sure the windows and lights are visible. A quick hose-off or automatic car wash should do the trick, but there’s no harm in a full detail, either.
Finally, bring any paperwork about aftermarket modifications. This might help the technician verify that your car meets road standards.
How can Sunset VW help?
Prepping for your MOT doesn’t have to be a stressful process. Staying on top of regular maintenance means your chances of passing first time improve dramatically.
If you’re due for your MOT and want to make sure everything’s running smoothly, book a check-up at Sunset VW. Our team brings decades and decades of combined experienced in all things VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda. Trust us to give your vehicle gets the care it deserves. We may also be able to combine a check-up or service with your MOT to guarantee a pass. Get in touch today.