It’s a time of year that many people dread, time to take your car for its annual MOT test. It’s worrying for most because finding out that your car has failed despite it running smoothly for you can be a bit of a shock. As experts in all things tyres, we know that one of the most important parts of your MOT test is your tyres.
If you’re concerned about how well your car tyres will perform at your next MOT test, not to worry. There are a few checks that you can carry out to help you feel more prepared for your MOT, and so you can anticipate any potential issues with your tyres beforehand. But first of all, a little bit about what you can expect from your MOT test.
Recap: What is an MOT Test?
An MOT test is an annual requirement if your car is more than three years old. It’s a test that’s performed at a garage that checks your car is functioning properly and whether it is safe to drive. A mechanic will check your brakes, steering, suspension, battery and airbags. They will also check the exterior and bodywork of your car, amongst other things. For example, they will check that your exhaust is secure.
When the mechanic is checking all of this, faults will be recorded and separated into categories. Since the MOT overhaul in 2018, the new fault categories are minor, major, and dangerous. If you incur minor faults, your car should still pass its MOT. However, any major and dangerous faults will result in a fail.
If your vehicle passes, you get a certificate that shows your vehicle is roadworthy and meets a number of standards. Without this certificate, you are unable to tax your car, which means you cannot legally drive it.
How to Prepare Your Tyres
According to statistics from the DVSA, tyres accounted for over 10% of initial failures on class three and four vehicles last year. That’s a lot of faulty tyres! To make sure your tyres don’t end up being a part of the next statistic, you can carry out your own inspection and determine whether you need to purchase new tyres.
Visual Inspection
To check your tyres, have a walk around your vehicle. Look to see if there are any visible cuts or bulges in the sidewalls. You’ll also want to check that there are no objects embedded in the tyres.
Tread Depth
Another important test you should carry out is for your tread depth. Lots of tyres fail their MOT test due to low tread depth. To check yours, you’re going to need a 20p. The 20p test involves placing the 20p in the tread of your tyres. If the rim around the edge of the coin is visible, your tyres will need replacing.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm. However, it is important to note that just because your tyre tread depth is legal, that doesn’t mean it is safe. Tyre tread depths below 3mm severely underperform in wet weather, resulting in longer stopping distances. Should you find that you need to replace your tyres, Goodyear provides premium quality tyres that offer superior performance in comparison to cheaper alternatives, so that you don’t have to worry.
Tyre Pressure
In addition to checking the condition and tread depth of your tyres, you should also check your tyre pressure. Underinflated tyres can result in blowouts, increased fuel consumption and are even a major contributor to aquaplaning. That’s why it’s so important for your tyre pressure to be correct in time for your MOT test.
Tyre Size
Another important aspect to check is that each tyre is the same size, type of structure and aspect ratio, as the tyre on the opposite side. You’ll find this information in the series of markings on the tyre’s sidewall. Usually, the first three digits are the tyre size and the second two are the aspect ratio in % (the height of the sidewall, divided by the tyre’s width), followed by a letter which represents the tyre’s construction type. The next markings usually include the rim diameter, load index and speed rating.
If you find that your tyres are in poor condition, it might be time to get them replaced not just so that you’ll pass your MOT tests, but also so that you’ll be as safe as possible while out on the roads. After all, that is what MOT tests are about. Goodyear has a wide range of tyres available at Asda Tyres for you to explore such as the Efficentgrip Performance and the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2.
Read more motoring and car maintenance advice in the rest of our blog, or visit our help and advice centre.