A pre MOT checklist covers the items you can check in minutes: lights, number plate, horn, mirrors, seat belts, wipers and washers, windscreen, tyres, fluid levels, fuel and oil, exhaust and dashboard warning lights. Fixing these before the test avoids many avoidable failures. Anything involving brakes, steering or suspension needs a garage inspection.
Updated November 2026
What should you check before an MOT?
Check everything a tester can see or hear without taking the car apart. The official MOT inspection checklist shows what testers look at, and the gov.uk MOT guide explains what the test covers. The 12 checks below follow the same order a tester works through, and most take under a minute each.
The 12 pre-MOT checks
1. Headlights, dipped and main beam
Switch on dipped beam, then main beam, and walk round the car. A blown bulb, a cracked lens or a lamp that is badly aimed can all fail. Ask someone to stand in front while you switch between settings.
2. Indicators and hazard lights
Check front, rear and side repeaters on both sides. Quick flashing on the dash usually means a bulb has gone.
3. Brake lights and reverse light
Press the brake pedal with someone watching, or reverse up to a wall or shop window at dusk and look at the reflection. Check the third brake light too if your car has one.
4. Number plates
Plates must be clean, secure, undamaged and easy to read, with the correct font and spacing. A cracked, faded or peeling plate is an easy failure.
5. Horn
It should work and sound clear and consistent. A weak or intermittent horn can fail.
6. Mirrors
Check the interior mirror and both door mirrors are secure and that the glass is not cracked or missing in a way that limits your view.
7. Seats and seat belts
Pull every belt out fully and let it retract. Check the buckles click and release, and that the webbing is not frayed or cut. Front seats should lock in position.
8. Windscreen, wipers and washers
Chips or cracks in the driver’s line of sight can fail the test. Wipers must clear the screen cleanly, so replace split blades. Top up the washer fluid and check the jets work.
9. Tyres
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, as set out on gov.uk. Check for cuts, bulges and exposed cords, and make sure the tyre pressures are right. Our guide to the legal tyre tread depth in the UK explains the rule in more detail.
10. Fuel and engine oil
Have enough fuel for the emissions test and keep the oil level between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick. A tester can refuse to test if there is not enough fuel or oil.
11. Exhaust
Listen for blowing or rattling noises on start-up, and look for visible smoke. A loose or holed exhaust, or heavy smoke, can cause a failure.
12. Dashboard warning lights
Warning lights for the engine, ABS, airbags or the electronic stability system should go out a few seconds after you start the car. If one stays on, it can fail the test. Our guide to why cars fail the MOT lists the most common causes.
Which parts can’t you check yourself?
Brakes, steering, suspension and corrosion underneath the car need a lift and proper tools. You can listen for grinding or notice a long pedal or a pull to one side, but a tester measures these. If anything feels wrong, get it looked at before the test, not after the fail.
How early can you get an MOT?
You can take the test up to a month (minus a day) before the current certificate runs out and keep the same renewal date. Our guide on how early you can get an MOT covers the rule in full. Doing your checks a week or two before your booking leaves time to fix small faults.
Get your MOT in Manchester
If you would like a tester to look at the car, you can book an MOT in Manchester with us. We are a DVSA MOT test station, and drivers come to us from Gorton, Ardwick, Levenshulme, Longsight, Burnage, Didsbury, Withington, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Stockport and Cheadle.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check before my MOT?
Lights, indicators, number plates, horn, mirrors, seat belts, wipers, windscreen, tyres, fuel and oil, exhaust and dashboard warning lights.
What is the most common reason for an MOT failure?
Lighting faults, such as blown bulbs, are among the most common causes, along with tyre and brake issues. Checking lights takes only a few minutes.
What is the legal tyre tread depth for an MOT?
1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around the whole circumference.
When are we open for MOT tests?
Monday to Friday 9:00 to 17:30 and Saturday 9:00 to 16:30. We are closed on Sunday.
Where are you?
270 Hyde Road, Gorton, Manchester M12 5FH.
About Hyde Road Wheels & Tyres
Hyde Road Wheels & Tyres Ltd is a family-owned business, founded in 1987, at 270 Hyde Road, Gorton, Manchester M12 5FH. We are a DVSA MOT test station with 4.4 stars on Google from more than 770 reviews.
Book your MOT
Call 0161 274 3125 or use the contact form. Visit us at 270 Hyde Road, Gorton, Manchester M12 5FH. We are open Monday to Friday 9:00 to 17:30 and Saturday 9:00 to 16:30, and closed on Sunday.
Need tyres, an MOT or a repair in Gorton?
Ring the garage on 0161 274 3125 or come to 270 Hyde Road. We will tell you what the car needs before any work starts.