MOT Testing in Bickington

Bickington lies on the road between Newton Abbot and Ashburton, close to the A38 on the edge of Dartmoor. If you drive here you will know the mix: steady dual carriageway miles, then steep, twisting moorland roads. Brakes, tyres and suspension all earn their keep.

At Automaster we carry out MOT tests on petrol and diesel cars and vans from our garage at Longcombe Cross, near Totnes. Below is a plain guide to the test, from booking to retest, written with Dartmoor-edge driving in mind.

What is the MOT test looking for?

The MOT is a check that the vehicle meets minimum legal roadworthiness standards on the day. We inspect lights, brakes, tyres, steering and suspension, exhaust and emissions, the view through the windscreen, seatbelts, registration plates and the condition of the body where it affects safety. Any warning light showing on the dash will be noted and can cause a fail.

It is not a service and it does not judge the engine's overall health, which is why many people also book a service alongside it.

How do the A38 and Dartmoor roads affect an MOT?

Sustained dual carriageway speeds wear tyres steadily, while long descents off the moor demand a lot from brakes. Uneven surfaces take their toll on shock absorbers, springs and steering joints. Those are the parts that most often cause trouble at test time.

If your car has felt less sure on bends, or pulls to one side when braking, mention it when you book. A pre-MOT inspection is a good moment to find out before the test counts.

• Brake feel and noise
• Uneven tyre wear
• Knocks over bumps
• Pulling to one side

What does a fail mean, and what happens next?

Results are graded dangerous, major or minor. Dangerous and major both mean a fail, and a dangerous defect means the vehicle should not be driven at all until it is repaired. Minor defects are written down but do not fail the vehicle, and advisories show wear worth watching.

After a fail, we can quote for MOT repairs and carry out a retest. Terms for the retest depend on the fault and timing, so ask when you book.

Can I bring my van or car from Bickington to you?

Yes. Drivers from Bickington, Newton Abbot, Liverton, Heathfield and Buckfastleigh come to us. We are at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL, so that is the postcode to use.

Booking is online or by phone. Please say whether it is a car or a van, as vans are tested under Class 7, and mention anything you have noticed such as a warning light or a new noise.

How does the MOT date work for a first test or a renewal?

A first MOT is due when the vehicle is three years old. After that, it is annual. Testing up to a month minus a day early keeps your renewal date the same, so you can book comfortably ahead.

Repair work depends on the fault, the parts needed and the labour involved, so we can only quote once we have looked at it. Ask us for a quote and we will talk it through in plain terms.