#MOTPreparation

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The Importance of Scheduling an MOT: Keep Your Car Roadworthy

An MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is a legal requirement for most vehicles over three years old, ensuring your car is safe to drive and meets environmental standards. Failing to schedule this annual test on time can lead to fines, invalidated insurance, and safety risks. With the right preparation and planning, you can make the process smooth while keeping your car in top condition.

Why an MOT Matters

The MOT test is designed to assess the roadworthiness and emissions of your vehicle. It includes a detailed inspection of critical components, such as:

Brakes: To ensure your car can stop effectively.

Tyres: To check tread depth and overall condition.

Lights and Indicators: To verify they’re functioning properly.

Exhaust System: To ensure emissions meet legal limits.

A valid MOT certificate isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s also a safeguard against potential mechanical issues that could compromise your safety.

When to Book Your MOT

The test must be carried out annually, starting three years after your vehicle's first registration. You can schedule the test up to one month (minus a day) before your current certificate expires, allowing for flexibility.

Failing to book your MOT on time could result in a fine of up to £1,000, and your vehicle may not be covered by insurance in the event of an accident. It’s wise to set reminders or mark your calendar to avoid missing the deadline.

Preparing for the Test

You can increase the chances of your vehicle passing the MOT by performing a few simple checks beforehand:

Lights and Signals: Ensure all bulbs are working and replace any that are dim or broken.

Tyres: Verify that your tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm and are free from damage.

Wipers and Washers: Test the windscreen wipers and top up the washer fluid.

Clean the Car: A dirty car can obscure vital components like lights or plates, potentially affecting the inspection.

Warning Lights: Resolve any illuminated dashboard warning lights before the test.

Taking these steps not only helps your car pass the test but also reduces the likelihood of costly repairs down the line.

Where to Book Your MOT

Choosing a reliable MOT testing centre is key to ensuring your car receives a thorough and professional inspection. For drivers in Godalming, Jordans Garage, an MOT testing centre in Godalming, is a trusted option. Whether it’s your annual MOT or advice on necessary repairs, a professional service ensures your car remains roadworthy.

Post-MOT: What to Do If You Fail

If your car fails the MOT, the testing centre will provide a list of issues that need addressing. Minor defects may still allow your vehicle to pass, but major faults must be repaired before your car is legally roadworthy again.

Some testing centres offer repair services on-site, which can save time and ensure the work meets MOT standards. After completing repairs, your car can undergo a partial retest to verify the issues have been resolved.

Conclusion

Scheduling and preparing for your MOT is a straightforward yet vital part of car ownership. It ensures your vehicle meets safety and environmental standards, keeping you and other road users safe.

By planning ahead and addressing minor issues before the test, you can avoid the inconvenience of a failed MOT and keep your car in peak condition. With trusted testing centres available in most areas, booking your MOT doesn’t have to be stressful—it’s a simple step toward responsible vehicle ownership.

[keepthingslocal]

Collins Motors: Keeping It In The Family

John (second left) Collins Motors is a Hammersmith institution For John Collins, one consequence of his business being such a long-standing part of the W6 community is that residents have grown up going to his garage. ‘It’s true. We have “youngsters” coming in who I remember in pushchairs,’ smiles John. ‘They’re following their parents’ example – it means we’re doing something right!’ Operating from the same Trussley Road premises since 1980, three generations of the family work with each other. ‘I started the business with my dad Sean,’ explains John. ‘He’s still involved and my brother Brian runs our Park Royal garage. My son James and nephew Richard work with me and Brian’s son Jack is with him.’ The experienced Collins team comprises in-house and dealership trained mechanics and they handle all makes and models. Clearly, with 95% of customers being regulars, John has a winning formula – and that is reflected in the company motto: Old-fashioned Courtesy and Modern Technology. ‘Of course, we invest in the latest kit,’ he says. ‘But, equally importantly, I believe in personal service. For example, if we find that more work is needed than we anticipated, we put in a courtesy call to the owner. We let the client make the final decision, then there are no surprise charges.’ That ethos also applies to MOTs. ‘If there’s a problem we offer a free re-test period. If you get the repairs done – not necessarily by us – and return the car within seven days, we won’t charge.’ Using plain English is another promise. ‘When we replace a part we show the customer the old one and explain what has happened and why.’ John is very proud to have served W6 for so many years and new clients are being introduced all the time. ‘We’ve found that when one of our “regulars” moves away they leave our card out for the new people!’ Services include: Servicing Brakes Steering Wheel Alignment MOTsExhausts BatteriesTiming Belts Clutches Suspension Read the full article

[keepthingslocal]

Collins Motors: The Generation Game

John, James, Richard and Kieran The Collins family has been serving the local community for almost 40 years There can’t be many family businesses more ‘family’ than Collins Motors. Operating from the same Trussley Road site since 1980, there are three generations working together. ‘We’re really proud of that,’ smiles John Collins. ‘I started the garage with my dad Sean. He’s still involved and my brother Brian runs our Park Royal branch. My son James and nephew Richard work with me and Brian’s son Jack is with him.’ The experienced Collins team comprises in-house and dealership trained mechanics and they handle the servicing of all makes and models from Minis to Rolls Royces. With 95% of customers being regulars, the family clearly has a proven winning formula, which John sums up as: Old-fashioned Courtesy and Modern Technology. ‘To do a professional job you must have the very best equipment – and we’re always investing in the latest kit,’ he explains. ‘But, equally importantly, I believe in personal service and good manners. If we find that more work is needed, we call the owner straight away. We don’t just go ahead and do it. We always let the client make the final decision, then there are no surprise extra charges later on.’ That ethos also applies to MOTs. ‘If there’s a problem we offer a free re-test period. If you get the repairs done – not necessarily by us – and return the car within seven days, we won’t charge for the re-test.’ Using plain English is another given. ‘When we replace a part we show the customer the old one and explain what has happened.’ One consequence of being a long-standing part of the W6 community is that families have grown up with the garage. ‘We have “youngsters” coming in who I remember in pushchairs,’ says John. ‘And we even find that when one of our “regulars” moves from the area they leave our card for the new people and they bring their vehicles here!’ Collins Motors 232 Trussley Rd, W6 7PS +442087419766/7 http://www.collinsmotors.co.uk https://twitter.com/collins_motors

John Collins Read the full article