Car service and MOT test: Overview and differences
If you are a responsible car driver, you must service your car regularly to keep it in good condition. You do not need to worry about service guidelines because carmakers provide a user manual with the vehicle. Read your user guide and service your car according to the guidelines.
Besides servicing your car, you must have an MOT Test Reading if your car is eligible for the test. Every car that is equal to or above three years old is eligible for the test. This test is mandatory for every car driver due to road safety issues.
Rules and regulations do not force you to service your car regularly. After the final deal, your car is your asset and you can use it according to your preferences. However, you have to follow some guidelines to keep your car safe for other road users. Therefore, visiting a car service station is your prime duty.
MOT is a legal requirement because DVSA wants all vehicles to run safely on roads. Faulty vehicles are not favorable for road safety according to different studies. Therefore, DVSA has introduced MOT or ministry of Transport test to ensure safe journeys.
Car service overview
A mechanic must check your car according to the guidelines of the user manual. After you reach the service station, the mechanic will inspect your car’s condition to repair vital components. Moreover, the mechanic will perform essential functions like changing the air filter and changing oil. If you have observed any warning signs, you can share your experience with the mechanic. The mechanic will repair or replace the components according to your complaints.
Car service enhances the performance of your vehicle. Moreover, your car serves your needs for a long time because of the absence of minor or major faults.
Detection of minor faults is easy with the help of car service. Because of the detection of minor faults, major issues rarely take place in the system of your vehicle. As a result, your vehicle rarely stops working suddenly on the road.
As you see, car service is an essential task because of several benefits. Therefore, you must not ignore this crucial aspect of safe driving.
What happens during a car service?
During a car service, the mechanic is going to check the fluids of the vehicle to refill the reservoirs if the level is not sufficient for the vehicle. Checking engine oil is also an essential task during a car service. The mechanic will check the air filter because of the harmful effects of a clogged filter. Your service technician also checks your car for warning signs to detect minor or major faults in the system.
MOT test overview
The MOT test is a mandatory test to check the roadworthiness of your vehicle. The MOT technician checks the vital components of your vehicle to declare the final results. If your car has no mechanical issues, you will get a certificate for one year. If your car faults its test, you have to repair the vehicle to get the certificate. The meaning of this process is clear they would allow you on roads only with a valid MOT certificate.
What happens during a MOT test?
After you reach the MOT center, you may wait for some time because of the vehicles that are also waiting for the test.
DVSA has made a list of components that are usually checked during the test. According to this list, the MOT technician includes components like exhaust, lights, mirrors, doors, windows, number plates, tyres, windscreen wipers, seatbelts, and fuel systems. According to the instructions of DVSA the MOT tester would not include the engine, clutch, and gearbox in the test.
Why and when do you need a MOT test?
You need to get a valid MOT certificate to prove that your car is safe on the roads. Since the MOT test is a legal requirement, you cannot avoid the test in any condition. The MOT certificate is valid for only one year. It means you need to submit your vehicle for the MOT test next year on the same date. However, the MOT guidelines allow you to have the test one month before the due date. So, you can bring your car to the center before the due date as well.
How is the MOT test different from car servicing?
Car servicing includes necessary steps to improve the condition of your car. On the other hand, An MOT technician checks your car to declare the results of the test only.
Positive results of the test make it clear that your car is roadworthy on the day of the test. It means your vehicle may develop minor or major faults after a couple of months. Car service is helpful in this condition because regular checkups detect minor and major faults at the correct time to keep the condition of your vehicle stable.
In brief, an MOT test covers safety aspects but a car servicing schedule improves the overall condition of your car.
Is car servicing helpful before the MOT test?
Car Service Reading detects minor and major mechanical issues. Moreover, the car mechanic repairs your car according to its present condition as well. Therefore, we can say that car servicing may save you from negative results of the MOT test. You must make a list of components that you must check before the test. This checklist will help you to get the MOT certificate successfully.