Every year in Britain, literally millions of drivers take their vehicles for MOT testing. For example, according to the British government website’s official statistics, in the months of April to September 2019, almost 16 million Class IV MOTs were registered in the UK. Class IV MOT testing is for cars with up to 8 seats, as well as taxis and other medium sized vehicles. Additionally, in the same period, 650,000 motorcycles were registered for Class I or Class II MOT testing. In total, with all the classes of MOT testing included, close to 17 million instances of MOT testing were registered in just six months.
But do you really know what MOT testing is about? For many drivers, it is simply a necessary action that occurs once a year. But what really happens and why is it important?
What happens during MOT testing?
During MOT testing, your vehicle is assessed to make sure that it meets safety regulations. This means that it is safe to be on the road. This includes testing a wide variety of features, like the brakes, tyres, lights, towbar and exhaust, to name just a few. MOT testing does not check the car engine, clutch or gearbox, so the MOT testing is focused on the safety, not the mechanical operation of the vehicle.
Why was MOT testing introduced?
MOT testing was first introduced in 1960 as a voluntary test. Initially it was very basic test of the brakes, lights and steering. The idea was to check that the car was in good working order. However, it soon became apparent that there was a problem. Firstly, many drivers did not have the test carried out, and for those that did, there was a very high failure rate. This indicated that there were many potentially dangerous vehicles on the road. The government responded by making the test compulsory for vehicles older than seven years in 1961.
Over the next two decades, the rules surrounding the test were changed, making it more like a modern MOT. The time limit before testing was reduced to three years. Other tests, including the tyres, windscreen wipers, indicator lights, brake lights, exhaust system and condition of the body, were added to the MOT testing process.
In the twenty-first century, testing became much more advanced. In 2005, a computerised system for MOT certificates was introduced, which is now part of a government database for vehicles. In 2012, new checks of electrical systems were added, including the battery, electronic stability control, speedometers and steering locks.
J & W Motors Ardrossan are the leading experts in Class IV and Class VII MOT testing for all drivers in the Ardrossan area. If you need MOT testing for your vehicle, get in touch today. The team pride themselves on providing high quality work, excellent customer service, and competitive pricing. Remember that you can book your next MOT up to 30 days (or one month minus one day) before the date of your MOT expiry. For more information and all enquiries about MOT testing, contact the team today.
