When should you get your vehicle's first MOT?

 Every year, the dreadful term MOT appears on the horizon. The realisation is an annual unpleasant surprise since I always forget when it's due. Despite your best efforts to shove it to the back of your mind, it is inevitable.

Booking an annual MOT as a car owner is a majority of the time given by the seller when purchasing a vehicle. While some may fully comprehend what an MOT includes and why we need them, the bulk of us merely knows that it is a means to protect our safety while driving.

So, what is an MOT, what does it include, and how can you save money on an MOT?

If you buy a new car, you won't need an MOT for three years from the date of registration. This only applies if your car is less than three years old or brand new. Once you've had your first MOT after three years, you'll need to check MOT of your car have it done every year after that.

The only and main reason for this is because a brand-new car should not have any problems throughout these years. Nevertheless, repairing your car in the meantime is always suggested and might prevent you from any problems on your first MOT.

Certain types of vehicles, on the other hand, will require an MOT every year, regardless of the registration date. Ambulances and taxicabs are examples of public service vehicles.

If you're unclear of your car's precise registration date, contact your local garage or use an online MOT history checker to find out.

In an MOT, what is checked?

An MOT is a thorough examination of your car that covers both roadworthiness and vehicle safety.

Various measures included in vehicles to improve our safety might fail over time, without us even recognising the gravity of the issue. Many signals that our car has a problem might be overlooked and placed on the back foot. However, if not rectified beforehand, this can add up and leave you with a huge bill following an MOT.

You can complete an MOT history check online to verify how many times your car was a straight pass with maybe a few 'advisory' items or was an MOT failure.

An MOT can help you spot these issues, and your technician will be able to give you an estimate for the repairs. If you refuse to correct the fault after an MOT, your vehicle will be deemed illegal and unfit to travel on the road.

Your selected garage will inspect all critical areas during your MOT, including brakes, exhausts, tyres, and seatbelts.

The outside and interior of the body, as well as the electrics, your vehicle's lighting, and the general condition are all factors to consider.

If you check MOT history of your car online, you will be able to establish year on year what certain car parts are a common failure, and you can have these repaired beforehand to avoid the extra hassle.