MOT Testing in Liverton

Liverton is a village on the edge of Dartmoor, near Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey, on the A382 side of the area. Hills and country roads are part of everyday life there, and a vehicle that copes with them all year still needs checking once a year by a tester.

We handle MOT testing at Automaster, our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Read on for what we check, how to prepare, and what to do if something fails.

What happens during a car MOT?

Our tester goes through a set list: lights and indicators, brakes, tyres and wheels, steering and suspension, exhaust and emissions, mirrors, wipers and screen, seatbelts, number plates, the horn and the body's condition for sharp or loose parts. If a warning light is on, it counts against you.

Cars are Class 4. We also test vans as Class 7, and the checks are broadly the same with allowances for the heavier vehicle.

Lights are the single most common reason for a fail, so a quick walk round with the indicators and brake lights on is a worthwhile habit.

Why do pre-MOT checks save a retest?

Many failures are small: a blown bulb, a perished wiper blade, a tyre close to its limit. A pre-MOT inspection finds those so they can be fixed beforehand. This is usually simpler than failing, going away to arrange repairs and coming back.

If your Liverton driving involves a lot of braking on hills, ask us to look closely at pads, discs and brake fluid condition while the vehicle is with us.

• Bulbs and indicators
• Wipers and washers
• Tyre tread and condition
• Brake wear

Dangerous, major, minor: how should I read my result?

Dangerous means the vehicle is not safe to drive and fails. Major fails as well and needs repair before a pass. Minor items are noted but you still pass. Advisories flag wear that will need attention in future.

Never keep driving a vehicle with a dangerous defect, particularly on brakes or steering. We can talk through the repair and a retest, and the terms depend on the fault and timing.

Do you test vehicles from Liverton and nearby?

We do. Customers from Liverton, Heathfield, Newton Abbot, Bickington and Hexworth bring vehicles to us at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL.

Book online or by phone. If you are not sure which class applies, tell us what you drive and we will confirm it when you book.

When should I book, and what affects repair cost?

The first MOT is due at three years, then yearly. You can test up to a month minus a day early and keep your renewal date, so booking a little ahead leaves breathing space for repairs.

Repair cost depends on the fault, the parts and the labour involved. We will explain it in plain words and give a quote on request, rather than guess before we have looked.