That annual reminder pops up on your calendar for MOT Due. For many drivers, it’s a moment filled with dread. Various thoughts appear, will it pass or not? Fear of a huge unexpected repair bill and many others.

The good news is that nearly half of all MOT failures are due to minor, easily fixable issues. A few minutes of preparation can be the difference between a pass certificate and a costly retest. This ultimate pre-MOT checklist is designed to help you spot those common problems before the tester does.

We’ve broken this checklist into two parts: the quick 5-minute walkaround and the slightly more involved checks. You don’t need to be a mechanic for any of them. After the final checklist, search on the browser for MOT check near me.

Tread Depth: The legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central ¾ of the tyre. A quick way to check is with a 20p coin. If you can see the outer band of the coin when it’s in the tread, your tyres may be illegal.

Damage: Look for cuts, bulges, or cracks in the sidewalls.

Pressure: While not a failure point itself, incorrect pressures cause uneven wear, which can lead to a failure.

Worn or damaged tyres are a major safety risk and an instant MOT fail.

Wipers: Check the rubber for splits or damage. Do they clear the screen effectively?

Screenwash: Is the washer bottle topped up? Do the jets spray correctly?

Windscreen: Look for damage. A chip or crack larger than 10mm in the driver’s direct line of sight (a vertical strip 290mm wide, centred on the steering wheel) is a fail. Damage outside this zone can be up to 40mm.

A clear view of the road is non-negotiable.

This is harder to check visually, but listen when you drive. Do you hear any grinding or squealing? Does the car pull to one side when you brake? Does the handbrake hold the car securely on a hill? Brake performance is one of the most important parts of the test.