Simple car check parents often forget that leads to instant MOT failure

Simple car check parents often forget that leads to instant MOT failure Parents are being warned that six simple mistakes in their vehicle could see an instant fail on their MOT - here are the things people should check before dropping a car off at the garage Parents are being reminded to do a number of simple checks before sending their car for an MOT or risk failing. With heading back to school for the first time in six weeks, parents will have even more things to juggle such as school drop-off, after school activities and endless washing. However, a motoring expert has said that everyday clutter inside a family vehicle could result in an immediate MOT failure. With roughly 1 in 5 cars failing their MOT across the UK and over 5 million parents admitting to driving messy, cluttered cars, an overlooked item on the dashboard or in the backseat could turn a routine inspection into an expensive inconvenience. DVSA guidelines allow test centres to refuse or automatically fail vehicles if simple safety, cleanliness, or access conditions aren't met while cars are being inspected. James Harding, an expert from Blackcircles with over 16 years of industry experience, said: "MOT failures aren’t just costly and inconvenient; they can show a car to be unsafe. You must book your car in for an MOT yearly, and ensure that your car is prepared to be tested. "MOT test centres can legally refuse to test your car under official DVSA guidelines. If specific safety, cleanliness or administrative conditions are not met, you are at risk of being turned away or automatically failed. “Before arriving at your MOT appointment, it is important to check that your car is clean and accessible. It is also a good idea to check lights, tyres, fluid and oil levels as well as your dashboard for any warning lights. Sorting any issues that appear ahead of an MOT appointment can help your car to pass.” What do parents need to check before an MOT? According to Blackcircles there are six common reasons why a family vehicle might fail its MOT. - Teddies or toys: Leaving teddies and toys on the top of your dashboard can cause a failure if they block your view of the road. They also pose a major hazard if they interfere with the deployment of your passenger airbags. - Child seat not secured properly: An MOT has to test the integrity of seatbelts; therefore, if the child seat is loosely fitted, this suggests the restraint system is insufficient. A loosely fitted seat can also pose a significant risk to the child and passengers in an accident; therefore, an insecure seat is a “major defect” in an MOT exam. - Child seat obscuring seat belt: An MOT requires every seatbelt to be tested. If a seatbelt is trapped behind a permanent child car seat and cannot be inspected, the car will fail. - Shopping bags or prams in the boot: Every door, including the boot, must open and close smoothly from both the inside and out. If overpacking the boot stops a smooth closure, the vehicle will fail. If your boot is full and the tester cannot access the spare wheel well or suspension mounts, they will fail the vehicle. - Baby on board stickers: If the baby on board stickers are stuck to the windscreen or front side windows, this could result in a failed MOT. This is because these positions can block your view of the road. Instead, make sure this sticker is on the rear window, and ensure it’s not in the way of the wipers. - Clutter and dirt: If your car is excessively dirty (inside or out), the tester can legally refuse to examine it. If rubbish, loose bottles or clutter is rolling around near the pedals, this is classed as a safety hazard, and a direct fail. If a number plate is so dirty it becomes unreadable to Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras, your car will automatically fail its MOT.