MOT checklist: everything you need to know

Similarly, vehicles manufactured over 40 years ago are classed as ‘historic’ and are not officially required to be tested, but can still be deemed unsafe by the police and taken off the road. 

To claim historic exemption, a vehicle must be largely in original condition, with no substantial modifications made to the bodywork, suspension or powertrain. Many classic car owners choose to have their car tested anyway, just for peace of mind, which is generally accepted to be the best course of action. 

MOT Checklist

Number plate

Often overlooked, your car’s number plate is one of the easiest things you can check to avoid a failure or advisory. To pass, it must be the right colour (usually black/yellow at the rear, black/white at the front), be fully legible (no significant cracks, scrapes or fading) and display the correct registration format for your car’s year. 

The DVSA also advises that the characters on your number plate must be in the correct font, and that the plate itself must be sized appropriately. 

Lights and indicators

Every test will include a test of your car’s headlights, which should be aimed properly, switch correctly between dipped and full beam and have clear, unmarked lenses. 

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