MOT preparation and repairs in Milton Keynes

Before your MOT

A few minutes with the car before the test can save a fail on something simple. Walk round with someone else and check every light, including the number plate light and the brake lights. Look at the tyres for cuts, bulges and tread depth (the legal minimum for a car is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre). Check the wipers clear the screen and the washer bottle is full, and make sure no warning lights stay on once the engine is running.

If you'd like us to look it over properly, book it in and we'll tell you what's likely to need attention, with a price for each item, so you can decide what to do before the test.

If your car has failed

GOV.UK says a car fails if the result lists "dangerous" or "major" problems. You can take it away if your current MOT is still valid and no dangerous problems were listed. Otherwise it needs repairing before you drive it, and it must stay roadworthy at all times. Driving a car that failed because of a dangerous problem can mean a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban and 3 penalty points.

Send us the failure sheet on WhatsApp, or bring it in, and we'll quote for each item it lists. Once you're happy with the price, we do the work. GOV.UK says that if you take the car back to the same test centre within 10 working days, you may only need a partial retest, which can cost less than a full one.

Sources: GOV.UK, after the test and retest after a repair. Our guide: failed your MOT, what happens next.

Rust and welding

Rust fails an MOT when it's in the load-bearing structure, or within 30cm of where parts like seat belts, suspension and steering are mounted, and has made a hole or left the metal soft. Sills are a common place for it. We weld sills, chassis rails and wheel arches to MOT standard, on cars and vans. Read more about welding or our guide to MOT corrosion failures.