MoTs in Harlow
Fast, Friendly MoTs in Harlow
We make getting your car's MoT as quick, easy and straightforward as possible. We are a friendly , helpful local garage - and we offer great value.
Plus, if you get your MoT done at the same time as an annual service, it's even cheaper : just £35.00+VAT. That saves you time as well as money.
Why Choose Us?
Harlow people choose us for their MoT tests year after year because we are:
- friendly and helpful
- Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency authorised
- give clear explanations of any problems
- offer good value
- give discounts on MoTs done with a service
Book Early for the MoT Rushes
Car sales peak in September and March, when the registration plate changes. These months also see a peak in the number of MoT tests. This is confirmed by statistics provided by the Driver & Vehicle
Standards Agency and means that garages offering MoT tests are extra busy at those times. If your car needs an MoT in the rush period we advise you to book ahead, to make sure you can your MoT at a time that suits you.
Having a test done early does not mean you lose time on your MoT. Your new MoT runs for a full year from the date your old MoT expires.
You can renew your MoT anytime in the month before it expires. The earliest date you can get your vehicle MoT tested without losing time is stated on the MoT pass certificate.
How To Check If Your MoT Is Valid.
If you are unsure about the MoT on your car, just visit this official site. It's run by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency, the government agency in charge of MoTs, so it can be relied on.
It will tell you for sure if your car has a valid MoT or not. You just need your car registration number, plus either the V5C number, or the number from the last MoT pass or fail certificate.
What the MoT Test Covers
- Body / vehicle structure / general items
- Fuel System
- Exhaust emissions
- Exhaust system
- Seat belts
- Seats
- Doors
- Mirrors
- Load security
- Brakes
- Tyres and wheels
- Registration plates
- Lights
- Bonnet
- Wipers/washers
- Windscreen
- Horn
- Steering and suspension
- Vehicle identification number
- Electrical
The full list of tests and procedures involved in a car MoT are listed here.
Not every car needs an MoT
Some cars are exempt from MoT tests:
- Cars which are too new to need a test : less than three years old for cars and motorbikes
- Cars manufactured before 1960
Failing the MoT
Failing the MoT is common : about one car in three fails. The most common reasons are:
- lighting and signalling: lights not working and blown bulbs
- suspension
- brakes
- tyres
In 2012/13 28 million MoTs were carried out, and 8 million resulted in a failure. The final failure rate was 29%. (This excludes cars that failed, but were then fixed by the garage, retested, and passed.
What the MoT Test tells you
Passing a MoT test tells you that, at the time the test was taken, the car met the legal requirements for road safety and environmental standards. It does not tell you that the car is roadworthy for the entire life of the MoT certificate. The MoT test does not tell you anything about the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox, because the test does not include any dismantling.
Many test fails are due to simple items, such as broken bulbs or worn windscreen wipers, that the motorist could check and fix for themselves before the test.
The car's milage history is recorded on the MoT Test certificate, which can help give a buyer more confidence that the milage is genuine. The certificate shows the milage at the three most recent tests, and their dates. The test does not include checking the odometer for tampering.
MoT Changes in 2013
The requirements of the MoT test becomes stricter on 20th March 2013. The changes include :
- checking car doors open and close properly.
- seats must be able to move forward and backwards
- the speedometer is tested for accuracy
- the efficiency of the catalytic converter is checked
- testing whether dashboard warning lights are working
- air bags are checked,
- electronic stability controls, where fitted, are tested
4 million people lack an MoT
A 2017 survey revealed that up to 4 million UK drivers had not had their car MoT tested in time. This puts them at risk of a fine of up to £1,000. The usual reason is not a deliberate attempt to dodge the test, just forget fullness.