A detailed guide to clear your doubts about the MOT test and car servicing

Generally, car drivers get a user manual with their vehicles. A user manual is an important document to provide essential information on proper car maintenance. According to your guidebook, you must maintain your car with the assistance of a car mechanic. Generally, the dealer offers different types of car service after certain intervals. These car service types are levels of deepness and every level includes more components than the previous one.

Car drivers usually have several doubts about the car service. Moreover, they have some questions in mind about MOT as well. MOT Reading is also an essential and legal test in the UK. According to the guidelines of this test, you must bring your car to the center for a complete checkup. If you are successful in proving that your car is roadworthy, you will get a certificate for one year. Next, year, you must come to the center again to renew the certificate.

In this blog, we will clear common doubts and questions that may come into the mind of a car owner:

What is an MOT test?

MOT or Ministry of Transport is an annual test that is mandatory for car drivers who bought a car three years ago. After celebrating the third anniversary of their vehicle, these drivers must submit their cars to an authorized MOT center. In the center, the MOT technician checks your vehicle for safety issues. If your car has no issues, you will get a certificate that is valid for only one year.

What is a car service?

Car service is a routine checkup carried out by a mechanic at regular intervals. Your car makers provide a car service schedule with your vehicle. According to the information in the user manual, you must meet a mechanic regularly to service your car.

Car service centers offer basic, full, and major car services according to the time interval or distance covered by a vehicle.

During the car service, a mechanic will check your vehicle to improve its condition and performance.

When do you need an MOT?

You do not need to worry about the MOT test after buying a new car for three years. After this period, you must reach a nearby MOT center for the test. If you pass the test, the center will issue a certificate for one year. It means you can legally drive your vehicle on roads for one year. After one year, you need to renew your certificate by coming to the center again. Surely, you can choose another MOT center every year for the test.

When do you need a car service?

Car service centers offer basic service, full service, and major service according to the time interval or distance. You need a basic service after 6 months or 6000 miles, a full service after 12 months or 12000 miles, and a major service after 24 months or 24000 miles.

You can visit a car service center for car service whenever you detect warning signs in any car component.

What should you expect during an MOT test?

Your MOT center will give you a date for the test. You must arrive at the center with your vehicle on the same date. After you reach the center, the MOT technician will check different components of your car for safety issues. Generally, MOT technicians try to detect major or dangerous issues in the vehicle. Cars generally pass the test in the condition of minor faults.

DVSA has already made a list of components that an MOT technician should check during the test. These components include windscreen wipers, horn, seat, seatbelts, windows, doors, number plate, tyres, exhaust, suspension etc.

What should you expect during a car service?

When you reach the garage according to the car servicing schedule, the mechanic generally checks defend vital components of your vehicle for mechanical faults. The mechanic will repair or replace the component according to its condition. Moreover, the mechanic performs some essential tasks like changing filters, changing spark plugs, checking fluids, wheel alignment, wheel balancing etc.

Is an MOT legal?

MOT is surely a legal test; you must drive your car on roads with a valid certificate. Driving a vehicle without a valid certificate is a legal offense. Getting a MOT service is not a choice. This is an essential document like other legal papers of the vehicle.

Is car service legal?

No, car service is not a legal test. Carmakers provide these guidelines to improve the performance and efficiency of your vehicle. You should not ignore car service instructions just because they are not legal.

Regular car service keeps your car healthy and detects mechanical issues before they become serious problems. Moreover, the fuel efficiency of your vehicle depends on proper maintenance and checkups. Furthermore, service history is vital if you have a plan to sell your car in the future. Your buyer is going to check the service history before making the final decision.

So, do not think about the legality of Car Servicing Reading service guidelines. Just follow them to always drive your vehicle with full confidence.