Home / Pre-MOT Checklist
Pre-MOT Checklist: 20-Minute Check That Saves Hundreds
Spending 20 minutes checking your car before the MOT could save you £200-600 in unnecessary repair bills and retest fees. Most of the top failure reasons are things you can spot and fix yourself for under £30.
Potential savings from a pre-MOT check
Catching a failed bulb, low tyre, or worn wiper blade before the test avoids a failure, a retest, and the markup on having the garage fix a 5-minute job.
£200-600
estimated annual savings
The Full Checklist
Lights and signalling
12.75% of all failures- All headlight bulbs working (dipped and main beam)
- Brake lights illuminate when pedal is pressed (get someone to help)
- Indicators working on all four corners plus repeaters
- Rear fog light(s) working
- Number plate lights working (easily forgotten)
- Headlight lenses not cracked, yellowed, or heavily hazed
DIY cost
£5-20
Garage cost
£20-50
You save
£15-30
Tyres
10.05% of all failures- Tread depth above 1.6mm across the central 75% of the tyre (use the 20p test)
- No bulges, cuts, or cords showing on sidewalls
- Tyres are the correct size for the vehicle
- Same type of tyre on each axle (do not mix radial and cross-ply)
- Check the inner edges of front tyres for uneven wear
DIY cost
£50-120 per tyre (new tyre)
Garage cost
£60-140 per tyre (fitted)
You save
£10-20 per tyre by shopping around
Windscreen and wipers
8.48% of all failures- No chips larger than 10mm in the driver's direct view (Zone A)
- No chips larger than 40mm anywhere else in the swept area
- Wiper blades clear the screen without smearing, juddering, or missing areas
- Windscreen washer fluid reservoir is full and jets spray correctly
DIY cost
£8-20 (wiper blades)
Garage cost
£20-40 (wiper blades fitted)
You save
£12-20
Horn, mirrors, and seat belts
4-5% of all failures- Horn works when pressed
- All mirrors present, secure, and not cracked
- Every seat belt pulls out smoothly, retracts properly, and clicks securely into the buckle
- No fraying or cuts in the seat belt webbing
- Rear-view mirror securely attached
DIY cost
£5-15
Garage cost
£20-60
You save
£15-45
Under the bonnet
7% of all failures- Engine oil level between min and max on dipstick
- Coolant level visible in expansion tank
- Brake fluid level between min and max
- Power steering fluid level adequate (if applicable)
- No visible fluid leaks on the ground where you park
- Battery secure and terminals not heavily corroded
DIY cost
£0-15 (top-ups)
Garage cost
£30-80
You save
£30-65
Inside the car
3% of all failures- Dashboard warning lights: start the engine and check the airbag light comes on then goes off
- Handbrake holds the car on a slope
- All doors open and close properly from inside and outside
- Seats are secure and adjustment mechanisms work
- Remove air fresheners, sat nav mounts, and anything hanging from the mirror
DIY cost
£0
Garage cost
£0-50
You save
£0-50
Exhaust and emissions
7.34% of all failures- No visible exhaust smoke (blue = oil burning, black = rich fuel mix, white = coolant leak)
- No rattling or blowing noise from the exhaust
- Drive on the motorway for 20-30 minutes before the test to burn off DPF and catalytic converter deposits
- Check the exhaust is securely mounted with no excessive movement
DIY cost
£0 (the motorway drive is free)
Garage cost
£80-600 (if exhaust needs replacing)
You save
Potentially £200+ by clearing a borderline emissions reading
The Emissions Trick: Drive Before Your Test
If your car has a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or catalytic converter, driving on the motorway for 20-30 minutes before your MOT appointment can make the difference between a pass and a fail on emissions.
Why it works: At motorway speeds, the exhaust system reaches temperatures high enough to burn off accumulated soot and carbon deposits. This process (called regeneration for DPFs) restores the filter to closer to its original efficiency. Short journeys around town never get the exhaust hot enough for this to happen naturally.
The ideal routine: Drive to a nearby motorway, cruise at 60-70 mph for 20-30 minutes, then drive directly to your MOT appointment. Do not let the car cool down. Book your MOT at a garage near a motorway junction if possible.
When to Book Your MOT
Best day of the week
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are typically the quietest days for MOT centres. You are more likely to get a same-week appointment and may find lower prices. Avoid Mondays (backlog from the weekend) and Fridays (everyone rushing before the weekend).
Best time of year
Avoid March and September. These are new plate months, which means a flood of 3-year-old cars needing their first MOT three years later. January and February are typically the quietest months, and garages may offer better deals to fill their ramps.
The 1-month early rule
You can MOT your car up to 1 month (minus 1 day) before the current certificate expires without losing any time. Your new certificate will run from the old expiry date. This gives you flexibility to shop around and choose the best deal. See our MOT due date guide for full details.
Common Failures & Costs
Detailed breakdown of the top 10 failure categories
Find the Cheapest MOT
Chain pricing, comparison platforms, and deals
When Is My MOT Due?
Check your due date and set up reminders
MOT Cost Guide
Full overview of MOT costs in 2026