We surveyed 2,000 drivers in October 2021, asking their opinions on MOT results and how they prepare for the test. Out of those 2,000, 75% said they check the MOT history of a used car they’re looking to buy. 78% of those drivers said they were more likely to buy the car if it has a ‘clean’ MOT history. ⅔ of those surveyed also said they had considered a pre MOT check in the past or would do so in future.

What's more, you can avoid 3/5 of the most common MOT failures (Lights, Tyres and Visibility) with a simple visual check. So, if it's such a good idea, why do so many drivers settle for dealing with an MOT failure rather than checking their car to help prevent it?

We’ve introduced a pre MOT check to help you avoid unnecessary MOT failures. It's bookable at selected garages on our online comparison site and we recommend completing this check before every MOT. While you can follow this checklist yourself, we recommend using a technician for extra peace of mind. A pre MOT check increases the likelihood of your vehicle passing the test as the technician completes a visual inspection of your vehicle directly before the official MOT test.

Don’t run the risk of an unnecessary MOT failure. Book a pre MOT check through BookMyGarage to increase your likelihood of passing first time.

Please be aware that a pre MOT check will not guarantee that your car will pass the MOT inspection. The technician can only complete the visual inspections during this check, so your car may still fail on faults related to emissions or any areas which require the use of the ramp.

What is a Pre MOT Check?

A pre MOT check is a thorough visual inspection of your car before your MOT. A technician will complete all the visual checks included in an MOT to find any faults your car may have. If they find any issues, you can get them fixed before the official test. This will increase your likelihood of a first-time pass.

Of course, you can also perform these checks yourself if you feel confident doing so.

How Much Does a Pre MOT Check Cost?

Our new pre MOT check costs £10. You must book it for the same day as an MOT test, and you must book both appointments at the same garage.

Checklist of What’s Included

• Seats & Seatbelts
• Warning Lights
• Essential Switch Operation
• Marks on Front Screen
• Operation of Wipers & Washers
• Operation of Brake Controls
• Steering Wheel Condition
• Visual Check of the Steering Column
• Operation of Doors
• Operation of Mirrors
• Operation of Horn
• Condition of Number Plate
• Operation of Number Plate Lights
• Condition of Wiper Blades
• Fuel Tank Cap Sealed Correctly
• Operation of Boot Lid
• Operation of Bonnet
• Visual Check of Towbar (if fitted)
• General Condition of Bodywork
• Any MOT Failures on the Wheels
• Tyre Tread Depth & Visual Check of External Wall Condition
• Visual Check of Brake Pads (no wheel removal)
• Visual Check of Suspension & Dampers Components
• Visual Check of Steering Components
• Visual Check of Fuel System Components

Benefits of the Pre MOT Check

There are plenty of benefits to booking a pre MOT check alongside your MOT test:

Peace of Mind

If you’re worried that your car will fail its MOT, we strongly recommend booking a pre MOT check.

Even if you have confidence in your car, a professional opinion doesn’t hurt. Our check will make sure that you avoid an unnecessary failure due to a problem that's easy to spot and fix.

While completing the check yourself will give you some peace of mind, we recommend getting a technician to do it for you.

Repairs on Your Terms

If your car fails its MOT, you may not be able to drive it to another garage to get the issues fixed. Not being able to shop around for quotes or being able to choose which garage performs the work can often result in higher repair bills.

If you book your appointment early enough, you will be able to compare other garages to get the repairs done at the best price and then return for your MOT. While a pre MOT check sounds like an extra hassle at an already stressful time, it can actually give you more control if the technician finds a problem.

Increased Likelihood of MOT Pass

If you find and fix any faults your car has before your MOT, it will be more likely to pass first time. While a pre MOT check doesn’t guarantee a pass because it doesn’t include the emissions test or any checks involving a ramp, it increases the likelihood of one.

Increased Chance of Selling Your Vehicle For True Value

If your car already has a ‘clean’ MOT history, you don’t want to ruin that with an unnecessary failure. As over ¾ of UK drivers consider the MOT history when they buy a car, a good MOT record is very important. It demonstrates to potential buyers that you have taken good care of the car and have fixed any problems it developed. A poor MOT record can hurt your chances of an easy sale and reduce the value of your car.

A pre MOT check increases the likelihood of preserving the quality of your car’s MOT history and gives buyers the confidence they need.

Why Would I Not Just Do It Myself?

It's easy for many drivers to do these checks for themselves. Even if you book a pre MOT check at a garage, we recommend that you do still regularly inspect your car and resolve any issues that you find. 

However, it is not always convenient to find time for these checks in the run-up to your MOT. What’s more, you still won't have time to fix the issues if you inspect your vehicle yourself on the morning of its test.

Likewise, if you do the checks a few weeks in advance, your car may undergo more wear and tear before the test date. This can cause it to fail, even though it would have passed when you checked.

Book a pre MOT check at a garage near you to avoid this hassle. A technician will complete the visual inspection directly before the MOT, so you can get any issues fixed before the official test.

What’s more, getting a professional opinion means that you don’t need to know the ins and outs of the MOT test. If you don’t know exactly what the pass and fail marks are for certain visual checks, you may wrongly assume that your car is fit to pass.

Book Your Pre MOT Check Online Today

If you want a technician to complete your pre MOT check, book an appointment through BookMyGarage today. Enter your vehicle reg and postcode into our online comparison tool and then select “MOT” and “Pre MOT check”. We will then show the garages near you that offer this check. You can also filter by price, distance, availability, ratings and reviews or additional services offered to find your perfect garage - whatever matters most to you. After that, select a suitable date and time for your appointment and confirm the booking. You never pay a penny upfront and you deal with the garage throughout.

Increase your chances of passing your next MOT the first time. Book your pre MOT Check through BookMyGarage today.