Is an MOT wash really necessary?

[Deleted User]

Surprised no one has asked where the MOt is being done

Sounds like a quick way to rinse the OP of a few quid


Always do your own pre MOT and wash before doing an Italian TuneUp on the way to the tester

konark

I wash the underside of my car regularly,....... well, everytime it rains.

mchale

OP I think you will find it applies to HGV's & Hackney taxis

System

EssexExile wrote: »

Same here, never heard of an MOT wash.

HGVs and PSVs have to have the undersides washed before going for a MOT, a proper full on blast off. Cars though? No. Never have, never will.

nickcc

Tarambor wrote: »

HGVs and PSVs have to have the undersides washed before going for a MOT, a proper full on blast off. Cars though? No. Never have, never will.

Always washed HGV's and PSV's before pre mot/annual/recertification and major inspections as no point trying to find defects if covered in muck.

suki1964

ripplyuk wrote: »

It must be a Northern Ireland thing. Everyone here takes their car for an MOT wash beforehand. That’s why there are always car wash places with signs for ‘MOT wash’ beside or very close to the test centre. They put the car up on a ramp so they can clean everything underneath which takes longer so it costs more. I was always told the underneath of the car must be cleaned or else they can’t examine it properly and could fail it for that. Also, I guess muck would fall on the guy underneath checking it.

Do most people NEVER clean the underneath of their car? I thought the dirt would rot things if it wasn’t done occasionally.

It IS a Northern Ireland thing, I had never heard of it before I moved here either

I personally have never had one and Ive taken cars in for MOTs around 10 times and never had a problem

However a friend just over from England took his car up for the first time and got failed for it being too dirty for inspection , so they do fail you on it

I guess it depends on what kind of driving you do. If its all good asphalt roads you should be fine, but around here it a lot of single lane roads, no road markings and pass on the verges so a lot of muck

ChrisK....._3

You know nothing of the kind. I've never even heard of an under body wash. if you think people do this then what you need to do is speak to more people.

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?

RichardD1970

ChrisK..... wrote: »

You know nothing of the kind. I've never even heard of an under body wash. if you think people do this then what you need to do is speak to more people.

Maybe try reading the reply about yours before being so dismissive?

wavelets

Alanp wrote: »

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

Correct

The mot tester may refuse to test a vehicle if it is so dirty that examination is unreasonably difficult.

This is not a fail (nor, obviously, is it a pass). As the mot tester has refused to carry out the test, then no fee is applicable (or it it has been paid, must be refunded in full).

All the various reasons that an MOT tester may refuse to test are given here:
https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/Introduction.html#section_4

wavelets

ripplyuk wrote: »

It must be a Northern Ireland thing. Everyone here takes their car for an MOT wash beforehand. That’s why there are always car wash places with signs for ‘MOT wash’ beside or very close to the test centre. They put the car up on a ramp so they can clean everything underneath which takes longer so it costs more. I was always told the underneath of the car must be cleaned or else they can’t examine it properly and could fail it for that. Also, I guess muck would fall on the guy underneath checking it.

Do most people NEVER clean the underneath of their car? I thought the dirt would rot things if it wasn’t done occasionally.

You didn't mention you were taliking about NI in the OP
Still, not everyone in NI does have an MOT was before a test. See this thread from a couple of years ago
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5408674/mot-wash-ni

Even if you decide to have an MOT wash, you seem to be paying OTT for one at £15
The first entry that came up in google for me was this
http://www.drumahoecarwash.com/motwash.html

...and they charge £10 for a standard car