MOT Testing in Abbotskerswell

Abbotskerswell sits near Newton Abbot and is reached by narrow country lanes, and plenty of people who live here commute. That kind of driving, with tight bends, wet verges and daily mileage, puts steady wear on tyres, brakes and suspension, which is exactly what an MOT looks at.

We are Automaster, a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and we test cars and vans. Here is what to expect and how to make the process painless.

What is actually inspected during an MOT?

The tester works through lights, brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, exhaust and emissions, mirrors and windscreen view, seatbelts, number plates, horn and the general condition of the body for anything unsafe. Warning lights on the dash are part of it as well. It is a snapshot of safety on the day, not a promise about the future.

Cars are Class 4 and vans fall under Class 7, so the right test is chosen from the type of vehicle you bring.

• Lights and visibility
• Brakes and tyres
• Steering and suspension
• Exhaust, emissions and seatbelts

Can lane driving cause an MOT failure?

Country lanes are hard on cars. Kerbs and potholes can damage tyre sidewalls and wheels, grit and mud wear brake parts, and rough surfaces loosen suspension joints and bushes. Hedges can scrape mirrors and lights too.

A pre-MOT inspection checks these wear points ahead of time. If it flags something, you can have it fixed before the test and avoid a retest. Ask us what a check involves for your vehicle.

What do dangerous, major and minor defects mean?

Dangerous means do not drive the vehicle, and it fails. Major also fails and must be repaired. Minor defects do not stop a pass but are noted, and advisories point out wear to keep an eye on.

If you fail, we can quote for the repair work and arrange a retest. Retest and repair terms depend on the fault and how soon you come back, so please ask.

Do you take bookings from Abbotskerswell?

Yes. Drivers from Abbotskerswell, Newton Abbot, Milber, Bickington and Liverton come to us. Our address is Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL.

You can book online or by phone. If you commute and need the vehicle back for work, say so when you ask and we will talk through what is possible.

When is my MOT due, and when can I book it?

A vehicle needs its first MOT at three years old, then once a year. You may test up to a month minus a day before expiry and keep the renewal date, so there is no need to wait for the last day.

Leaving a gap before the deadline also gives time to repair anything that fails. Cost and time depend on the vehicle and the fault, so ask for a quote.