Plate change day is almost here

September is the second plate change day of the year. This will bring in the 66 number plates.

If you brought your car 3 years ago in September (plate with a 63) then your car could will soon be due an MOT.

Headlights and indicators

Check that all of your lights work properly - That's headlights, sidelights, rear lights, hazard lights and indicators.

Brake lights

Press the brake pedal and ask a friend to check that the rear brake lights come on, if nobody can help you back up to a wall or garage door and then when you press the brake pedal check behind you for the refection.

Number plate

Make sure that both number plates are clean and you can read them. Also check that the rear number plate light is working. Very easy to miss in the day light

Wheels and tyres

Check that wheels and tyres are undamaged (scuffing to the wheels is ok). The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm and if you have a tyre with less than this it is an MOT 'fail' (even though the legal minimum is 1.6mm we recommend that tyres are changed when tread reaches 3mm, remember that 1.6mm is the minimum and not a recommendation)

Seats and seatbelts

The driver's seat should move forwards and backwards and all seatbelts should be in good, working order. Test that you can move the seat and inspect the seatbelt's full length for damage. Pull sharply on all seatbelts to check that they lock as they're supposed to if you have to brake severely.

Windscreen

Check the view out of the front of the car for damage - any damage larger than 40mm will be a 'fail', as will any damage wider than 10mm in the 'swept' area of the windscreen in front of the driver. (Swept area is the area that the windscreen wipers covers)

Windscreen wipers

Make sure your wipers are able to keep your windscreen clean - any tears or holes in the wiper rubber can be an MOT fail.

Screen wash

Seems strange but if the bottle is empty the car will fail the MOT. Also check that the washer motor is spraying fluid on to the windscreen

Horn

Must be working. If broken replace.

Fuel and engine oil

Make sure your car is filled with enough fuel and engine oil - you can be turned away from the MOT without suitable levels of either as incorrect levels can affect the emission test.

Warning lights

If the TPMS (Tyre pressure monitoring system), Airbag/seat belt pre tensioner (these are sometimes called SRS lights) and Brake fluid level lights are on then the problem needs to be fixed before you go for an MOT.

If you need tyres or your TPMS valves replaced call Hometyre on 0800 783 93 10 or 0333 444 5454 (mobile friendly number) and we will come to you