MOT Testing in Caton

Caton is a small hamlet on the Dartmoor edge near the A38. Drivers from the surrounding countryside and nearby places such as Bickington, Pounds Gate, Hexworth and Buckfastleigh bring their vehicles to us.

We are Automaster, at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and MOT testing is one of the things we do day in, day out for petrol and diesel cars and vans.

What does a petrol or diesel car MOT include?

The tester checks brakes, lights, tyres, steering, suspension, exhaust and emissions, visibility, seatbelts, plates, horn, warning lights and the body's safety condition. Diesels are tested for smoke and petrol cars for exhaust emissions.

Class 4 covers cars and Class 7 covers vans.

A short list of what we look at is below, though the full test goes deeper than any list can show. If your engine management light is on, tell us when you book, as it matters for the emissions part of the test.

How can I prepare before booking?

Check bulbs, wipers, washer fluid, tyres and warning lights yourself. A pre-MOT inspection by us catches the rest, including wear you cannot easily see such as brake parts and suspension joints.

Fixing small things first stops them becoming a fail and a retest.

On Dartmoor-edge roads, tyres pick up cuts and bulges from stones and kerbs, and brake components can wear unevenly after long descents. Ask us to look at both if you have not had them checked recently.

• Bulbs
• Wipers
• Tyres
• Warning lights

What happens after an MOT fail?

Defects are dangerous, major or minor. Dangerous and major are fails. Dangerous means the vehicle should not be driven until repaired.

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

Please do not keep driving a vehicle that has been marked dangerous, particularly if the fault is with brakes, steering or tyres. It is far better to ask us about a repair than to take that risk on a country road.

Where is the garage for Caton drivers?

Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL. Drivers from the countryside around Caton and from nearby towns come to us. Book online or by phone.

Tell us your registration and vehicle type, and whether you have noticed any faults.

We are used to people travelling from small hamlets and farms, so there is no need to explain exactly where you are coming from. Just tell us the vehicle details and what you are worried about.

If you would rather talk it through first, call and ask. We would sooner answer a question than have you guess.

How does the MOT date work?

The first MOT is due at three years. You can test up to a month minus a day early and keep your renewal date.

Repair costs depend on the fault, the parts and the labour involved. Ask for a quote and we will explain it.

If your vehicle is a van used for work, let us know, since planning the test and any repairs around your working week is easier when we know in advance.

Keep your V5C handy if you are bringing a vehicle for its first test, as the registration date tells us when it was first due.