Failing your MOT is always one way to end up with a pretty hefty bill.
So before you head to the garage, it’s worth making sure your vehicle has clean plates and pumped up tyres, among other things, reports the Daily Star. Especially if it’s a work van or vehicle you require for earning a living.
To help you, experts at Lease Van have come up with some of the most common mistakes made by drivers at their MOT.
On average, around 45% of vans between 3.0-3.5 tonnes and about a third of light commercial vehicles fail their MOT test each year.
The average repair sets drivers back £143, meaning UK van drivers could face nearly £200million in repair bills for failed tests.
What’s worse is not having an MOT certificate could result in a fine of up to £1,000. Tim Alcock, from Lease Van, said: “Vans are an important part of a business for tradespeople so MOT failures can be a serious burden as they must stay off the road until fixed.
“Besides carrying heavy tools and materials, delivering goods and transporting the team, a van is the base of operations so being without can lead to serious financial losses.
“This is why van owners must be aware of preventable reasons their vehicle could fail, and ensure it is sorted before the test, such as filling up windscreen fluid and fixing frayed seat belts.
“Van owners need to be aware of simple reasons their vehicle could fail its MOT, like not having enough windscreen fluid or damaged seat belts.”
Most common MOT failures for vans
Dirtiness
Garages can refuse to check a vehicle if it is cluttered or dirty. Number plates should be readable and the windows should not be so dirty the views are blocked.
Washer fluid
A simple check but a van can fail its MOT if it doesn’t have enough washer fluid. This is because a dirty windscreen can restrict your view of the road.
Suspension
Try to avoid driving on pothole-filled roads, especially at high speeds, as this can damage your vehicle’s suspension. Suspension issues can lead to an MOT failure because they affect the handling and stability of your van.
Seatbelts
Special attention is given to your seatbelts during the MOT. If they have signs of weakness or damage, then your vehicle can fail the test.
Tyres
You should regularly check a vehicle’s tyres for signs of damage and wear. If your tyres are below the legal tread limit of 1.6mm, you’ll fail your MOT – but this can be easily avoided with regular maintenance and good driving habits.
