"Common reasons for MOT test failure"
"MOT Bilston, MOT Brierley Hill ( 650+ words)"
[ "Common reasons for MOT test failurePeople can get lazy over time and neglect car maintenance and the most commonly overlooked vehicle component is the tyre. Car tyres need to be checked regularly but in a lot of cases, they are not maintained at all till some serious damage occurs and this could turn out to be a serious threat.Almost 10% of the MOT test failures are due to a lack of proper tyre care. In this article, well go through a list of things you need to keep in mind so you can avoid test failures and maintain tyre life and quality.WHAT IS THE MOT test?The Ministry of Transport test or just commonly called MOT test is an overall car checking test done every year to ensure the road and environmental safety of your vehicle. After three years of registration of your car, it is legally required for you to perform this test every year by a qualified MOT technician. WORN TYRE TREADSIn the UK the minimum tread depth is 1.6mm below which the tyre is unsafe. Treads help improve grip and traction of the contact patch and keep your vehicle under control. The grooves help remove water or ice and allow ease of braking, steering and acceleration.This ensures that the people inside your car and the people on the road are all safe. With time the treads wear out and your tyre becomes more dangerous and unsafe.TREADWEAR;It is recommended to place a 20p piece of coin inside the tread of the tyre spread across the whole width so that once the tyre wears out to this level you NEED to get your tyres changed or otherwise it will pose a huge threat to your safety. If your tyres look smooth, bald or shiny then they are worn out and hazardous and completely illegal to drive around.Two major tips for extending the tyre life1)Always keep checking your tyre pressure to ensure that it is filled to its optimum level. When your tyres are inflated to an optimum setting of air pressure they show even tyre wear maximising not only safety but also fuel efficiency.2)Avoid the purchase of part-worn or second-hand tyres. Most of these tyres are sold illegally and have various underlying hazards and faults that are not visible to the naked eye. They obviously wear faster than premium good quality tyres keeping in mind the fact that the minimum tread depth for part worn tyres to be sold is around 2mm. SIDEWALL DAMAGESidewalls ensure your tyre overall stability by withstanding pressure and shock when driving. MOT Bilston specifies that damage to the sidewall means there is serious damage to the structure of your tyre. This not only increases the chances of major tyre damage and serious blowouts but also increases the chances of accidents. Sidewall damage without any exception leads to an immediate MOT test failure.Five major tips for avoiding damage to the sidewall.1)Avoid contact with kerbs and harsh pavement when parking to prevent any long term tyre damages.2)It is not always possible to avoid potholes but make sure you do. The rough road conditions, stones and scrapes can damage the tyre as well as the suspension.3)Tyre pressure needs to be frequently checked and kept at optimum levels to avoid putting any unwanted stress on the sidewall.4)Petrol, dirt or any oil residue on your tyres can cause the softening of your tyre compounds that damage the sturdy structure of the tyre sidewall.5)Try to keep an eye for sharp objects that lead to punctures, cuts and bruises on your tyre.TPMS MalfunctionTPMS or Tyre Pressure Monitoring System are used to sense the tyre pressure and they come in most modern cars. These systems show a warning sign every time the tyre pressure starts to drop below the optimum levels or gets higher than what is recommended. MOT Brierley Hill provides servicing and checking of TPMS systems before the test. These systems also need to be working efficiently for one to pass the MOT check." ]