Is an MOT wash really necessary?

ripplyuk

My car is due it’s MOT in a couple of weeks and I know people normally get an MOT wash done where the underneath gets cleaned. It’s about £15 here and I know it’s not a huge amount but I was wondering if this is really needed? Is it important to get the underneath cleaned? How often should it be done?

neilmcl

I've never heard of such a thing, can't be that important, although it may make the tester's job slightly easier.

EssexExile

Same here, never heard of an MOT wash.

RichardD1970

As above. Never heard of it.

wavelets

ripplyuk wrote: »

My car is due it’s MOT in a couple of weeks and I know people normally get an MOT wash done where the underneath gets cleaned. It’s about £15 here and I know it’s not a huge amount but I was wondering if this is really needed? Is it important to get the underneath cleaned? How often should it be done?

Another who has nevered heard of this, especially in the days when cars today usually have undertrays fitted that restrict visibilty to most of the components that were traditionally able to be inspected .

Before this, years ago, it was not unknown to spray the underneath of a car with dirty, old, used engine oil to cover up a multitude of issues just before an MOT.
(try this today and you'll probably get an advisory noted for an unspecified oil leak :eek:)

worried_jim

Never heard of it, but I always present a clean and tidy car when going for an MOT.

DUTR

ripplyuk wrote: »

My car is due it’s MOT in a couple of weeks and I know people normally get an MOT wash done where the underneath gets cleaned. It’s about £15 here and I know it’s not a huge amount but I was wondering if this is really needed? Is it important to get the underneath cleaned? How often should it be done?

I've never heard of it either, I do recall looking under my current and last car during a test and I was surprised how clean the underside was. Save your money for something else.

daydotz

The only related information i can find is related to NI it certainly isn't a thing over here inspect the vehicle yourself if it's badly caked in mud do it if not leave it

It sounds like it's to make the inspection easier (im not sure but aren't they stricter in NI)

heatherw_01

Never heard of it!
It is not listed anywhere as required so no you don't need it and people pass all the time without it.

stator

It's not a bad idea to clean the underside of your car at this time of year, with all the salty grit mud that might be stuck to your car.


Of course it's not required for your MOT though.

Alanp

I seem to remember that an mot can be refused if the car is extremely dirty, although I suspect it would have to be exceptionally mucky for this to happen, perhaps a4x4 caked in mud might suffice, not sure if this still applies though