MOT Testing in Paignton

Anyone who has crawled along Paignton seafront on a sunny weekend knows how much stop-start driving the town produces. With the pier, the harbour and the zoo all pulling in visitors, local cars spend long spells in queues, which is hard on brakes, clutches and batteries.

At Automaster, our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, we offer MOT testing for Paignton cars and vans. We are an RAC Approved Garage, and we try to explain every result in plain English rather than leaving you with a sheet of jargon.

What is included in a Paignton MOT test?

The tester works through a fixed national list. They look at lights and indicators, brakes, tyres and wheels, steering and suspension, the exhaust and emissions, mirrors, wipers and washers, seatbelts, number plates and the horn. The condition of the body is checked for safety only, such as sharp edges or corrosion near structural points. Dashboard warning lights are noted as well.

Because seafront traffic means plenty of gentle braking and tight low-speed turns, we pay particular attention to brake wear and steering play.

• Headlights, brake lights and indicators
• Brake efficiency and balance across the axle
• Tyre condition, tread and sidewalls
• Exhaust condition and petrol or diesel emissions

What happens if my car fails its MOT in Paignton?

You receive a list of defects, each marked dangerous, major or minor. A dangerous defect means the car should not be driven at all. A major defect is a fail that has to be put right before the car can pass. Minor items are recorded and the car still passes, though they are worth watching.

We can carry out the MOT repairs and retest the vehicle. How a retest works depends on what failed and how quickly the car comes back, so ask when you book rather than assuming.

Is MOT preparation worth doing before the test?

Most failures come from simple things: a blown bulb, tired wiper blades, a low tyre or worn brake pads. A pre-MOT inspection looks at these first, so they can be fixed before the official test. That makes a retest less likely and saves you a second trip.

It is particularly useful if you rely on the car for the school run or for work and cannot easily spare it for a few days.

When should I book my MOT, and can I do it online?

A new vehicle needs its first MOT when it reaches three years old, then once a year. You can test up to a month minus a day before the current certificate expires and still keep the same renewal date. For Paignton drivers that is a handy way to dodge the busiest holiday weeks.

Booking is available online or by phone. We test vans under Class 7 as well as cars under Class 4, so a small business can use the same garage for its work vehicle.

Can Paignton drivers use Automaster, and where is the garage?

Yes. We welcome drivers from Paignton, wider Torbay, Brixham, Churston and Totnes. The garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and we give you the details when you book.

When you ask for a quote, tell us the make, model and registration, and mention anything that has been bothering you, such as a warning light, a pull under braking or an unusual noise.