Three tips to keep the costs of your annual MOT low
SORTING your car if it fails annual safety checks could lead to brutal payouts.
But take some steps before the annual MOT, can make all the difference to your bank balance.
This way you reduce your testing costs. . .
GET A DATE: For driving without a valid MOT you can receive a fine of up to € 1,000.
If you tend to forget, sign up for a free text or email reminder at gov.uk/mot-reminder a month before the due date.
Garages can often be fully booked a few weeks in advance, so don't wait until the last minute. The MOT inspection costs for a car are limited to €54.85 and many garages charge less than this amount.
READ MORE MONEY SAVING TIPS
But if you think your car needs repairs, it's best to find a trusted garage that has good customer reviews.
ERROR PREVENTION: If your car suffers a major failure, it will happen failure the MOT and you are not allowed to drive it.
However, common problems are easy enough to fix before the test and give you time to shop around for the best prices.
Give your car a chance, check that all lights work and buy and replace bulbs where necessary.
Also look at the tire pressure and tread, these must be at least 1.6 mm.
As a rough guide, you can place a 20 cent coin in the main grooves to check if they are deep enough.
If you can't see the raised outer edge of the coin, the tire has sufficient tread depth.
Repair any damage to the windshield; any obstacles within the central view must not exceed 10 mm.
MAINTENANCE: Properly maintaining your car is the best way to prevent expensive problems.
Dan Meeghan, from OBD car scanner and app Carly, says: “The first step in minimizing MOT costs is keeping up with regular maintenance.
“Simple tasks such as topping up fluids, inspecting lights and checking that tires are in good condition can prevent small problems from becoming costly problems.”
- All prices on the page are correct at the time of going to press. Offers and offers subject to availability.
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