Drivers warned to perform easy driveway check before MOT to avoid failure

Drivers are being urged to perform a crucial check on their vehicles before heading for an MOT test to avoid the risk of failure. Motorists should ensure they run a simple check while still at home, as failing to do so could lead to a DVSA fail.

Experts at VansDirect have highlighted that faulty electrical equipment, particularly car headlights, is responsible for most defects identified during MOT tests. Lamps, reflectors, and electrical equipment accounted for 25.32% of all MOT test defects.

As reported by Birmingham Live, the advice from VansDirect is clear: "Before your MOT, take a moment to check all your lights, including brake and reverse lights. It's as simple as switching them on and off, asking a friend or family member to confirm whether they're working."

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They also suggest: "If there is an issue, you can try changing the lightbulb yourself to get ahead of the problem. However, should that quick fix not work, it may signal a wider electrical defect, which might require a trip to the mechanic."

According to the DVSA guidelines, MOT testers are required to examine all mandatory headlamps, with the definition being: "'Mandatory headlamps' are a matched pair of main beam headlamps and a matched pair of dipped-beam headlamps. These can be separate or a single pair of headlamps.

"Lamps are matched if they emit light of substantially the same colour and intensity and are the same size and shape that they are symmetrical to each other. You do not need to test headlamps on vehicles that are not fitted with position lamps, or have such lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked, that are only used during daylight hours, and not used at times of seriously reduced visibility."

The Tester will check the condition, operation, alignment and security. On its website, the AA, the motoring organisation and roadside recovery experts, alert drivers: "Faulty or broken lights will cause an MOT failure."