What’s checked on an MOT?

By Tia Harrison-North

Last updated: 22 May 2025

MOTs are one of those things that need to be done but are a bit of a chore when it comes round to it.  

It’s important to get your car scheduled for one, but how much do you know about the process? 

Unless you’re a real petrolhead, you might find yourself wondering: ‘what do they check on an MOT?’.  

MOTs are a legal requirement in the UK to ensure your car is safe and roadworthy. See what the process covers in our guide below.  

What gets checked on an MOT?

An MOT is a standardised test that ensures your car meets the legal requirements for driving on UK roads.

While a vehicle service looks at your car's mechanical condition, an MOT looks at important areas of your car for safety and reliability.

• Do cinch cars come with an MOT?

Outside

Your car will be given a thorough check over on the outside to assess the condition and how safe it is to drive.

Body, structure and general items

The body and structure of the car will be checked for any excessive corrosion or damage, as well as any sharp edges that could be a safety hazard.

Towbars

The towbar assessment is pretty in depth. The tester will be looking to see if it’s secure and in good condition, and will be on the lookout for any dodgy repairs or modifications.

They will also be checking to see if the 13-pin socket is working properly and the engine mountings are secure, alongside the condition of the speedometer.

Doors

Doors are obviously a big part of car safety, so they get a proper check over. The tester will look at:

• The latch – to make sure it’s secure when closed

• The front and rear door openings – checking they can open from the inside and the outside

• The hinges and catches – are they in good condition and secure?

Tyres and wheels

The tyres and wheels currently fitted to your car will be inspected for:

• Condition

• Security

• Tread depth

• Tyre size and type

Registration plates

It might sound random that your number plates are part of the MOT checks, but they can be a safety hazard if not fitted properly.

They’ll be checked for:

• Secure attachment

• Colour

• Correct character formatting and spacing

• Condition

Lights

Your lights are a huge part of staying safe on the road. The MOT tester will check:

• Headlamp condition

• Headlamp aim

• Main beam light

• Cleaning, security and the self-leveling function

Wipers and washers

This is a simple one. Your wipers and washers will be checked to make sure they work and can give the driver a clear view of the road.

Windscreen

The condition of your windscreen will be checked over, and the driver’s side will need a clear view of the road. The tester will check for any cracks or chips and assess how these might impact your safety.

Inside

Did you know your MOT also includes the inside of the car? There are important safety elements inside the vehicle that will need attention to ensure you’ll be secure on the road.

Seatbelts

One of the main things that comes to mind when you think of car safety might be seatbelts – so it makes sense these get a proper inspection at your MOT.

The tester will look at:

• Are the mandatory seat belts in place?

• Are the seatbelts suitable for the car?

• Are they in good condition?

• Are they working properly?

• Are they attached securely?

Seats

We can’t think of an occasion when standing up in a moving car is safe, so seat checks are definitely a good idea.

The MOT checks will cover:

• If the driver’s seat can be adjusted

• If all the seats are secure and can be fixed in an upright position.

Mirrors

All of the mirrors will be inspected to make sure they’re in good condition and are securely fitted. There will be a minimum number of mirrors for your car that will need to be met.

Horn

This one’s pretty straight forward – does your horn work? The MOT tester will give it a check and see if it’s suitable for your vehicle.

Vehicle identification number (VIN)

It might surprise you that your MOT will check your vehicle Identification number (VIN). This is to make sure the VIN is displayed and matches the car.

Technical

Now for the technical bit. These are the extra parts of your MOT that might not seem as obvious, but are still important for safety on the roads.

Emissions

Your exhaust emissions will be tested to make sure they meet the standards for the age and type of car.

Different cars have different standards to meet, and these are listed in your V5C logbook.

Fuel system

Your fuel system will be thoroughly checked over to ensure:

• It hasn’t got any leaks

• All the pipes and hoses are secure and in good condition

• You can fasten the fuel cap tightly and securely

Exhaust

This is separate from your exhaust emissions check and looks at things like:

• Is your exhaust system complete and secure?

• Do you have the standard catalyst fitted? (These are sometimes removed as part of car modifications but can mean an MOT fail.)

• Are there any serious leaks?

• Is it too noisy?

Brakes

If there’s one thing you definitely need to be road worthy – it's fully functioning brakes.

Your MOT test will check your brakes for:

• Their condition – are they working as they should, and are there any repairs or modifications that shouldn’t be there?

• How they perform on the efficiency test

• If the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) is working properly

• Your dashboard warning lights will also be checked for the ABS, ESC, brake fluid warning and electronic park brake warnings

Load security

This is a simple one – your car will be checked to make sure the boot can close securely and properly.

Steering and suspension

Your steering and suspension system will be checked for:

• Their condition

• If they’re working correctly

• Any inappropriate repairs or modifications

• Any corrosion to the power steering pipes or hoses

• Steering oil levels

• If the steering lock mechanism works properly

Electrical

All of the visible wiring will be inspected by the MOT tester, and the battery will be checked.

MOT pre-checks

MOT pre-checks are a great way to get your car prepped for its test and can make it easier for the tester to get the job done.

You can start by giving the car a full check over, walking round the vehicle and looking at things like the tyres and lights. Tools like a tyre tread measurer can be helpful, and spotting a broken headlight ahead of the test can save you a failure.

If you have any chips or cracks in your windscreen that might mean a test fail, it’s best to get them sorted ahead of time. Any cracks to the driver’s side windscreen must be smaller than 10mm in the area covered by the wiper, or 40mm for the rest of the windscreen.

Make sure your car is clean and tidy as well. This helps the tester get a better look at the vehicle and makes it easier to assess.

Explore car care at cinch

This should give you the answers to ‘what do they check on an MOT?’ so you can be prepared ahead of the test.

Remember, it’s illegal to drive on UK roads without a valid MOT certificate and this could land you with a fine and points on your license.

You can’t drive the car if your MOT fails and you don’t currently have a valid MOT certificate that’s still in date.

Read more about MOTs:

• How much is an MOT?

• Can I drive without an MOT?