Common mot failures

[2ld4davensis]

Hi everyone. Tomorrow is dreaded mot day, just curious what common reasons you all have for failing. And if there's any quick checks I can do myself before taking it. T25 d4d. I don't want to be ripped off by testers making up problems, and don't want to look like an amateur. Thanks

[FROSTYBALLS]

Moved to the Avensis club.

Basic things to check include:

All lights are working - brake lights, indicators, hazards, rear foglight, side, head lights (main and dipped beam), etc.

Headlight lenses not clouded.

Cracks or damage to light clusters.

Headlight alignment.

Tyres - minimum of 1.6mm tread depth, no damage or cuts to sidewalls, etc.

Wipers - not smearing, blades not damaged, windscreen washer working (check fluid), etc.

Windscreen damage - chips or cracks - the maximum damage size is 10mm in the driver's line of vision (vertical strip 290mm wide centred on the steering wheel, or 40mm elsewhere in the rest of the area swept by the windscreen wipers.

[Heidfirst]

Obviously check lights, horn,  washers, wipers & tyres for condition/operation. 

https://good-garage-guide.honestjohn.co.uk/mot-data-the-mot-files-2017/top-10-the-most-common-mot-failure-points-for-cars-in-the-uk/

[2ld4davensis]

Thanks. My headlights are cloudy. Have been since I bought it. Is that a major fault?  Everything else is fine all tyres and bulbs checked and functional. 

[FROSTYBALLS]

1 hour ago, 2ld4davensis said:

Thanks. My headlights are cloudy. Have been since I bought it. Is that a major fault?  Everything else is fine all tyres and bulbs checked and functional. 

Depends on how cloudy they are and how badly the lighting is affected

Headlight lenses can be cleaned - various methods including toothpaste, car polish, specialist kits (eg https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=headlight+restoration ). See also 

 

[2ld4davensis]

Very helpful info thank you. 

[Mooly]

Cheap toothpaste works wonders on cloudy headlights. Use a bit of clean cotton cloth and rub hard over the lens cover, then rinse and wash with clean water. They should come up like brand new.

[m456an]

Maybe glass polish afterwards...

[2ld4davensis]

It passed without me polishing the headlights. Then clutch burn out the next day .....180 miles from home. Good advice tho guys thank you all

[Mooly]

Wow, that's tough luck :(