Can My Car Pass a MOT Test without a Service?

It's possible for your vehicle to pass its MOT test without being serviced, which is another incentive to get your car service completed after the MOT. If you opt to skip maintaining your vehicle completely, you will not be able to detect minor problems before they become severe problems that will cost you a lot of money to rectify.

The MOT certificate verifies that your car meets the legal minimum environmental and road safety criteria at the time of its inspection. It does not imply that the vehicle is roadworthy for the duration of the certificate, and it is not a replacement for routine maintenance.

It is also a good idea to book your car with a MOT centre that also carries out car repair. The reason for this is that if your vehicle fails the MOT test and has a serious issue marked as a 'dangerous fault', you will not be able to drive it to a repair garage unless your current MOT is still valid, and you will have to arrange for recovery. You will save time and money by booking with a garage that does a MOT test, service, and repair.

What Is the Difference Between A Servicing And A MOT Check?

What comes to mind when you think about vehicle maintenance and the steps you may take to keep your vehicle in good working order? We're guessing you chose either a routine service or a yearly MOT test as your response.

Both are acceptable replies, but many drivers admit that they have no idea what the difference is or even what happens when they bring their car into the garage for these necessary inspections. In fact, according to our recent study, up to 59 percent of car owners are unsure what is included in their MOT and service, so we thought we'd take a time to clarify the distinctions and debunk a few prevalent fallacies.

What does a MOT check include, and what does the acronym MOT stand for?

We found that 85 percent of drivers had no idea what the term MOT stood for in a recent poll, so what better place to start than here? MOT stands for Ministry Of Transport, which has been defunct since 1970.

However, while the government agency in charge of our transportation network has changed names numerous times over the last four decades and has been known as the Department for Transport since 2002, the MOT test has remained the same.

The test is a legal requirement for an annual vehicle inspection. It follows the DVSA's stringent checklist of criteria to assess whether or not your vehicle is suitable for purpose and roadworthy. To pass your MOT, your car may require further work, although the test does not include any repairs or replacement parts.

The test confirms that the vehicle is safe to drive, but it does not guarantee that it is performing at its best. That's because the MOT test only looks at what's 'safety critical' in your car, not its overall health. While the MOT test covers items like brakes, lights, tyres, and seatbelts, it does not examine things like your engine. That's when a service comes in handy.

What is a Vehicle Service, exactly?

A service is a vehicle examination based on your vehicle manufacturer's requirements rather than the DVSA's; it maintains your vehicle efficient, safe, and fully functional. Both a MOT test and a service are comparable in that they both check things like tyres, brakes, and seatbelts.

A service, on the other hand, is more complete since it covers the vehicle's whole health, not just the 'safety-critical' parts. It also includes the replacement of some parts, such as the engine oil, to keep your automobile operating smoothly. To boost vehicle performance even further, a comprehensive service might include replacement spark plugs, fuel filter, and air filter (if applicable).

Having your car maintained at the manufacturer's suggested intervals can ensure efficiency and help you prevent problems all year.

Having your vehicle serviced might also help you save money on costly vehicle repairs. Regularly servicing your vehicle can assist to prevent significant repairs, just like recognising faults before your yearly MOT. Simple procedures such as changing your oil and checking your brake fluid and antifreeze can help to maintain your car and keep it running smoothly, but it can also mean that car parts and fluids are ignored, resulting in corrosion, overheating, and leaks. On your car, all parts are subject to wear and tear, but simple check-ups and top-ups can help prevent serious damage, especially on longer trips.

Service History and Valid MOT Maintains Your Vehicles Value

If your vehicle has a complete service history, it might really help keep its worth. A buyer may have a negative image of a car with a missing or incomplete service history since they are seeking for a trustworthy vehicle with a comprehensive service history. Along with mileage, the number of previous owners, and the general condition of the vehicle, your service history is one of the key elements that might affect a car's depreciation rate. A comprehensive car service and MOT provides piece of mind to potential purchasers, so retain all of your car documentation and make sure the garage stamps your service book every time you receive a service.

Is It Necessary to Service My Car Before A MOT Test?

It's advisable to complete the MOT first when scheduling a service and a MOT for your vehicle. Because some of the defects found during a service will also be noted during a MOT, having the MOT completed first can save you time and money.

This does not, however, imply that you should abandon the service entirely. Even if a car passes its MOT, a service can reveal additional issues early on, allowing you to address them before they become a far more expensive problem down the road. Not only that, but all of the essentials, such as oil changes, fluid top-ups, and other inspections, are required aspects of a service that aren't covered by the MOT.

We hope this answers the question ’why car servicing and repair is best for MOT test’. If not, please read on.

Unfortunately, we've learned that young drivers, in particular, are putting themselves in danger by failing to get their cars serviced on a regular basis. This is because they can't afford it or because they're unfamiliar with the notion.

In a recent poll conducted by the rapid fit network, 34 percent of 500 drivers questioned said they would rather not pay for a service and instead rely on their vehicles passing their MOT test to save money.

Another intriguing data is that 57 percent of those who chose not to use a service were between the ages of 17 and 30, indicating that the tendency is widespread among younger drivers.