"A Thorough overview of the MOT Exam"
"Alfa Romeo MOT Northampton, Mot Northampton (650 words)"
[ "A thorough overview of the MOT ExamThe MOT test was first introduced in 1960 to make sure cars wererunning safely. It is an annual legal requirement for all private vehicles overthree years old and commercial vehicles over three months old - although manymotorists choose to have their car tested earlier. Results of your MOT test arekept on file for two years by DVSA, so you do not need to declare them everyyear as proof that your vehicle is roadworthyDVSA chief executive Gareth Llewellyn said: "Thebest way to make sure your car is safe and roadworthy is to have it inspected(MOT) regularly.A car that's been checked, and has a valid MOT certificate,will not let you down." The MOT test was first introduced in 1960 to makesure cars were running safely. It is an annual legal requirement for allprivate cars, three years old and commercialThe list is part of an overhaul of MOT testing inBritain, increasing the number of components checked from 2,000 to 4,000 -including windscreen wipers and tyre treads. Drivers will face increased costsfor repairs, with around 16 per cent more cars requiring major work followingtheir test failing compared with this year's figuresAn MOT;Northampton checklistof things to check for your car to watch for when reviewing a car, published bythe Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), reveals some of the astonishingnumbers of faults that have been carried on Britain's roadsThe list also includes some more traditional defects,such as oil leaks, wiper blades not clearing the windscreen, or too thin brakediscsHeatEnsure you can properly regulate the air conditioning andsee how quickly it takes to get cool or warm inside the car. Check there is nodampness on the floor near the heater vents. If it smells musty, don't buy asthis usually means a leak has sprung somewhere and could be expensive to fix.The same goes for overheating  make sure it's notheating up too much or burning oil (smeared all over underneath)EngineOn pre-1989 vehicles, listen out for any odd sounds thatmight indicate something wrong with the engine (knocks and rattles), and lookfor leaks like oil/coolant/transmission fluid under the bonnet. Check for aproper lubricant fluid reservoir and ensure the battery isn't leakingTransmissionTest the automatic transmission by driving at 50mph insecond gear. Let go of the accelerator so you should feel it kick down intofirst gear smoothly, then add throttle again - if there is a problem with eitherof these actions or if it doesn't engage properly, don't buy. Test manualtransmissions (if applicable) by moving the car manually through all gears tomake sure they change smoothly without damaging anything else in the car (e.g.,crunching noises when changing gear).Brakes;Ensure that the pedal doesn't feel too spongy (thiscould mean air has got into the system), and there's enough brake power to stopyou quickly.Electrical systemsTest all electrical systems like electric windows(including boot/ bonnet), central locking, sunroof (if applicable), radio/CDplayer, etc. Try opening and closing everything; make sure the electroniccomponents work properly by trying them out over a few days before committingto buy. Make sure you lock your car using either your key or key fob (the redbutton on critical fobs). Check that immobilizer isn't faulty by making sureother people can't get in your car after leaving it.Exterior;Check bodywork for repairs, rust, etc. Look at thepaint; make sure it's not dull and has an even finish (small bumps may behidden by shine). Also, look out for bubbles or blisters that could indicatesomething is amiss underneath if they've appeared out of nowhere on newer cars.Ensure there are no signs of "over-spray" on glass, plastic bits,mirrors, lights etc., which means the paint has been sprayed when the bodyworkwas still wet.Exhaust system;Vehicles should have an excellent system withoutleaks, corrosion or other damage that can cause dangerous fumes to come intothe cabin while being driven. Ensure that the exhaust tips look clean and don'thave a lot of rust around them due to corroded back boxes or exhaust pipes.Also, make sure exhausts are routed well away from the bodywork, scrape onbumps, etcWheels and tyresCheck wheels for significant damage, replacement orrepair (look closely at the edges of rims). Ensure tyres are in good condition;make sure they don't have any cuts, bulges, sidewall cracks etc. Also, checktyre tread depth which should be 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the tireswidth (3mm minimum), and that wear is even across the whole surface. Failing to do so can also lead you to fail the Alfa Romeo MOT exam" ]