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Security & TechHow to Get Your Car MOT Ready
By Sun Garage, Owner, Sun Garage · 11 February 2026 · 6 min read
A few minutes now can save a retest later
Around a third of MOT failures are for things a driver could have spotted and fixed themselves before the test – a blown bulb, low washer fluid, or a tyre worn just past the legal limit. Spending fifteen minutes checking your car before booking can mean the difference between a pass and a costly retest.
Here is our West Bromwich team's pre-MOT checklist, built from the faults we see most often on the ramp.
Checks you can do in the driveway
None of these need tools or mechanical knowledge – just a bit of time and a second pair of eyes if you can get one.
Before you book your MOT, check:
- All lights – headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and number plate light
- Windscreen – no cracks or chips in the driver's line of sight larger than 10mm
- Wiper blades – no smearing or tearing, and washer bottle topped up
- Tyre tread – at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters, all the way round
- Horn – works with a single push
- Mirrors – securely fitted with no cracks
- Number plates – clean, undamaged and correctly displayed
A 20p coin pressed into the tyre tread grooves is a quick way to gauge whether you are close to the legal limit – if you can see the outer band of the coin, get the tyre checked.
Things that are harder to check yourself
Some of the biggest causes of MOT failure are not easily visible to the untrained eye, which is why a pre-MOT check with us can be worthwhile if your car has not had recent attention.
Brakes
Uneven braking, a spongy pedal, or a grinding noise when braking are all signs worth having looked at before your test, as brake issues are a common major fault.
Suspension and steering
Knocking noises over bumps, or the car pulling to one side, often point to worn suspension components that only a ramp inspection will confirm.
Emissions
A smoky exhaust or an illuminated engine management light can indicate an emissions fault. This is increasingly common on both petrol and diesel cars and is worth addressing before your test date.
Don't forget the paperwork basics
Make sure your number plates are the correct font and spacing, your V5C details are up to date, and that any dashboard warning lights are not left ignored – testers will note an illuminated warning light even if the underlying fault is not tested directly.
You can book your MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it expires without losing any time on your current certificate – so there is no need to wait until the last minute.
Bring it to us for a pre-MOT check
If you would rather not gamble on a fail, we offer a pre-MOT check where we go through the common fail points and flag anything that needs attention before your official test – giving you time to fix issues without the pressure of an already-booked test slot.
Booking your MOT and a service together often works out more convenient, since many of the checks overlap – ask us about combining the two.
Book your MOT in West Bromwich
As a DVSA-approved test centre, Sun Garage tests all makes and models. Call 0121 553 0296 or book online, and if your car does need work, we can often carry out repairs and a retest the same day.