Pre-MOT checks / Checks when servicing a car

[Colin Palmer]

Hi all,

I will be changing spark plugs, engine oil, fuel filter, brake fluid, engine coolant and transmission oil as part of my next service. I am still very much wet behind the ears with car mechanics but can do the above with time.

Also, my Ministry of Transport (MOT) test is coming up (UK). I assume there is something similar in the US.

When doing a service on a car or when checking the car over before an MOT, what checks do you recommend doing?

I plan to check for rust, check brake pads, check suspension seem OK, check bulbs, horn, check tyre tread and pressure etc… however, what other checks are advisable?
As for rust, what is acceptable rust and what is not? For example, my last MOT stated that my rear springs were corroded but my car still passed the test. Apart from when the springs snap, how do you know when a spring is too far gone?

Many thanks

Colin, London, UK

Topic

[David]

Check for any sort of leaks eg engine,brakes,brake lines,fuel lines.
Rust around brakes and any frame or sub frame.

[college man]

For maintenance and service checks.I would follow the
cars owners manual. For rust.Grab the spring with channel
locks to see if the metal is solid. You could also poke any
metal to see if you go through.

[Krys Kozlowski]

For European sticker inspections, you need to check the following:

– Engine oil leakage, blue or white smoke from the tailpipe
– Visual or structural rust on the frame and undercarriage body connectors
– State of the rubber grommets where the suspension meets any metal part
– Free play of frontal and rear wheels, suspension strength, not wheel bearings however
– Emissions (gently knock on the CAT from underneath when it’s cold and listen for rattle), error codes, exhaust colour, leaks in the intake section
– Age of tires, cracks, wear
– Brake strength (should be even and above a certain threshold depending on your car), even brake strength distribution (does your car veer to the left or right when braking vigorously?), adjustment or replacement of hand brake (usually, the handle should click between 3 to 7 times)
– Light adjustment (all bulbs need to work, the frontal lights need to be level adjusted to the UK specs, unlike the US, EU lights are nonlinear so have a certain conical pattern they need to have, I’m sure there’s a backyard way to do this, maybe google will help ;])
– Delete or fix all error codes, the MIL will instantly fail any test

[Author]

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