MOT Testing in Dawlish

Dawlish is known for the railway running along the sea wall, with steep hills inland and busy visitor traffic on the A379. Cars here deal with queues, hills and salty air, and all three leave a mark on brakes, tyres and the exhaust.

Automaster, at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, offers MOT testing for Dawlish drivers. We test cars and vans and repair what the test finds.

What is included in an MOT for a Dawlish car?

The tester checks lights, brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, exhaust, emissions, mirrors, wipers, seatbelts, plates and the safety of the body. Warning lights are noted.

Queues on the A379 wear brakes and clutches, and the hills inland test suspension and steering joints.

Seatbelts, mirrors and the horn are quickly checked but easy to overlook. A frayed belt or a cracked mirror glass can fail a car that is otherwise sound, and registration plates must be clear and correctly spaced.

• Brake condition
• Tyre wear
• Exhaust and emissions
• Lights and indicators

What do dangerous, major and minor mean?

A dangerous defect means do not drive. A major defect is a fail. A minor defect is noted and the car passes.

We go through the list after the test, so you see which jobs matter now and which can wait.

If something feels wrong with the brakes or steering on the hills, stop driving and talk to us instead of waiting for the test.

Should I have a pre-MOT inspection?

It helps find simple faults before the test, which cuts the chance of a retest. Worn wipers, a dead bulb or a soft tyre are typical examples.

If the car fails we can repair and retest. Terms depend on the fault and the timing, so ask.

Ask us to look at tyres, lights and brakes together, since those three account for a large share of fails. Salty air also corrodes brake pipes and exhaust brackets, so a look underneath is worthwhile.

How does the MOT date work?

The first MOT is at three years, then yearly. Test up to a month minus a day early and keep the renewal date. Book online or by phone.

Class 7 covers vans, so Dawlish traders can use the same garage as car owners.

Holiday traffic on the A379 can make mid-summer awkward, so many local drivers book their test in a quieter month and keep the renewal date.

If your certificate has already run out, tell us when you ring, because the rules on driving to a booked test differ from ordinary journeys and we would rather explain them than guess.

Do you cover Dawlish, and where do I bring the car?

Yes. Bring it to Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We also see drivers from Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Stoke-in-Teignhead and Heathfield.

Give us your registration when you ask for a quote.

Many Dawlish customers combine the test with another errand in the Totnes area, and we are happy to talk through what the car needs before you set off. Rural and coastal drivers alike should mention anything unusual, such as a pull to one side under braking.

Whatever you drive, tell us the registration, the mileage and anything odd you have noticed, and ask for a quote before booking so there are no surprises on the day.