Any tips to pass an MOT in Newport without issues?

buckybarnesba

Hi everyone, I’m planning to book an MOT in Newport soon and want to make sure my vehicle passes without any issues. Are there any basic checks or common faults I should look at before the test? Also, if you know any reliable and honest MOT centres in Newport that don’t suggest unnecessary repairs, please share your recommendations. Any tips or experiences would be really helpful. Thanks in advance!

MattMattMattUK

Make sure the car is roadworthy?

Most failures are tyres, brakes, windscreen chips/cracks and windscreen wipers. Apart from checking the basics just get the car MOT tested and it will show anything that needs doing.

fatbelly

Check all the bulbs are working and that tyres have 3 mm tread. You are legal to 1.6 but will get an advisory

If tyres are over 10 years old, as given by the four-digit code, then it's also a fail

droopsnoot

You can look at the MOT testers manual online, that will give you an idea of what to check though a lot of it is common sense and you should be regularly checking how roadworthy your vehicle is. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles

As for garages in Newport, it's hard to say without knowing whether that's Newport Shropshire, two in Wales, Isle of Wight and quite a few more.

facade

Check that all the lights work including the rear fog light & numberplate lights.

Check all the tyres have good tread on them, and are free from cuts & bulges.

Fit new windscreen wiper blades (Keep the old ones, if they aren't damaged you can wipe the rubber with a cloth moistened in alcohol or soaked in washing up liquid solution, and swap them back after the test. Just some testers are very picky about what "obviously not clearing the screen" means, and new blades from Eurocarparts/carparts4less are cheaper than having to come back for a retest)

Make sure there is washer fluid and that the washers work, hitting the screen.

Mildly_Miffed

"Newport" (which one?) is not relevant.

The MOT test is the same everywhere, and all testers across the country are under a legal obligation to test to the exact same standard.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles

Spend a bit of time going round the car before you take it in. Check tyres, wiper blades, lights, top up screenwash and check other fluids, think about any clunks or clanks or rattles that might have developed since last year.
(But, of course, you do that routinely, right…? It's not rocket science)

How long since your car was last serviced? And I don't just mean had the oil changed, I mean a proper service…

ohreallƳ

In addition ensure it's at normal operating temp when you submit it for test.

If diesel is the dpf ok?

HonestJohn

As far as I am aware the rules are the same everywhere. Where you live is irrelevant.

Car_54

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947283#Comment_81947283

Check ALL lights, tyres, washers and wipers, horn, seat belts. Check fluids and top up if necessary.

17 Newports in the UK IIRC.

chrisw

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947264#Comment_81947264

10 year old tyres only applies for certain vehicles such as a minibus with more than 8 seats.

tom192

An easy one which people often forget about is, present the car well! Give it a wash before you take it. Clean the inside and remove all rubbish.

The tester has to sit in your car, it will improve their mood substantially if it's a nice place to sit :)