MOT Testing in Ermington

Ermington lies in the River Erme valley, and getting in and out means narrow country roads. Many residents commute towards Ivybridge and Plymouth, so cars spend time on tight lanes and then on faster roads.

Automaster is a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We provide MOT testing for cars and vans and can repair what the test finds. The sections below take you through the process from booking to retest.

Can Ermington drivers get an MOT with you?

Yes. Drivers from Ermington, Ivybridge, Modbury, South Brent and Kingston use our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. You can book online or by phone.

When you get in touch, tell us the vehicle type, so we can book a Class 4 car test or a Class 7 van test correctly. A little detail at the start saves confusion later.

What gets examined on a valley-lane car?

The tester checks lights and indicators, brakes, tyres, steering and suspension, exhaust and emissions, mirrors and windscreen, seatbelts, plates, warning lights and the condition of the structure for safety.

Tight lanes mean scraped tyre sidewalls and knocked wing mirrors. Commuting towards Plymouth adds brake wear. All of this is worth looking over before the test, not after.

Many Ermington drivers run older cars as well as newer ones, and either can pass. What matters is the condition of the safety parts, not the age on the registration.

• Tyre sidewalls
• Mirror and glass condition
• Brake wear
• Steering play

What happens after a fail?

A defect is graded dangerous, major or minor. Dangerous means do not drive it. Major means a fail, and minor is recorded while the car passes. Advisories point to parts that are wearing.

We can carry out MOT failure repairs and then retest. Retest and repair terms depend on the fault and timing, so ask. A vehicle with poor brakes or steering should not be used on narrow lanes until it is fixed.

For anyone commuting towards Ivybridge or Plymouth, the main thing is not to put the repair off. A fault found at the test is still a fault on the road the next morning, so book the work as soon as you have the quote.

Should I do MOT preparation first?

Preparation saves a return trip. Check bulbs, wipers, washer fluid and tyres, or have us do a full inspection. Small items often cause a fail, and they are cheap in effort to put right beforehand.

A pre-MOT look also lets us warn you about parts that are close to failing, so you can plan around them rather than being surprised.

When is the MOT due and can I test early?

The first MOT is due at three years, then yearly. Test up to a month minus a day early and you keep the same renewal date, so you can choose a convenient moment around your commute.

For prices on any repairs, ask for a quote. The cost depends on the fault and the vehicle.

It is worth noting the date on your current certificate somewhere you will see it, so the valley lanes do not make you forget about it.