MOT Testing in Churston

Churston sits between Paignton and Brixham, close to the steam railway line, and plenty of the cars and vans here spend their lives on the Brixham and Dartmouth roads. Short, stop-start journeys and salty air from the bay do their own quiet damage to brakes, exhausts and underbody parts.

At Automaster we test cars and vans for drivers in Churston and the surrounding Torbay villages. We are an RAC Approved Garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and we handle the test, any repairs and the retest in one place.

What is checked in an MOT test near Churston?

An MOT is a roadworthiness check, not a service. The tester looks at lights and indicators, brakes, tyres and wheels, steering and suspension, the exhaust and emissions, the driver's view of the road including wipers, washers and mirrors, seatbelts, registration plates and the horn. The structural condition of the body is checked for safety, and dashboard warning lights such as airbag or ABS are noted too.

Petrol and diesel emissions are measured, so a missed service or a blown exhaust joint can show up on the day.

• Lights, indicators and number plates
• Brakes, tyres and wheels
• Steering, suspension and exhaust
• Seatbelts, mirrors, wipers and warning lights

What do dangerous, major and minor mean on an MOT?

A dangerous defect means the vehicle should not be driven until it is fixed. A major defect is a fail: the car is not safe enough or breaks environmental rules, and it needs repair before it can pass. A minor defect is recorded but still passes, and advisories flag wear to watch.

If your car fails with a dangerous item, please do not drive it on the road. Talk to us about what can be done before you move it.

Should I book a pre-MOT check before the test?

A quick look beforehand catches the things that most often cause a fail: a blown bulb, worn wiper blades, a low tyre or a worn brake component. Fixing these first means the test itself is cleaner and a retest becomes less likely.

If your car does fail, we can carry out the MOT repairs and arrange the retest. Retest and repair terms depend on the fault and on how soon the car returns, so ask us when you book.

When is my MOT due, and how do I book?

A new vehicle needs its first MOT when it reaches three years old. After that it is due every year. You can have the test up to a month minus a day before the current certificate runs out and still keep the same renewal date, which is handy if you want to avoid the busy summer weeks around the bay.

You can book online or by phone. Class 7 testing is available for vans, so tradespeople working around Brixham and Paignton can book their work vehicle in the same way.

Do you test cars from Churston, and where do I bring the car?

Yes. Drivers from Churston, Brixham, Paignton, Dartmouth and the rest of Torbay come to us. The garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and the booking confirmation tells you where to go.

Tell us the make, model and registration when you ask for a quote so we can plan the test properly.