MOT Testing in Pounds Gate

Pounds Gate is a small rural hamlet on narrow lanes near the Dartmoor edge. Drivers from here and from the countryside round about, together with Caton, Buckfastleigh, Bickington and South Brent, make the trip to us at Longcombe Cross near Totnes.

At Automaster we carry out MOT testing for petrol and diesel cars and vans. Here is what the test involves and how to book it.

What is the MOT, and who needs one?

Any car or van that is old enough, meaning three years from first registration and yearly after that, needs a valid MOT to be used on the road. The test confirms the vehicle meets minimum safety and environmental standards on the day.

A car is tested under Class 4 and a van under Class 7. Ask us if you are unsure which applies.

The test is not a service, so it will not tell you whether the engine needs attention. Many drivers book a service at the same time, and we can talk through what makes sense for your vehicle.

What do the testers look at on a country-lane vehicle?

Everything on the national list: lights, brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, exhaust and emissions, windscreen and wipers, seatbelts, plates, the horn, the safety condition of the body and warning lights. Steep, narrow lanes tend to find out brakes, tyres and suspension first.

If you have noticed a knock, a pull or a soft brake pedal, tell us when you book.

Hedges, ruts and the occasional pothole mean mirrors, light units and tyre sidewalls get knocked. The tester will also look at exhaust condition, because a blow or a loose mounting is common after a bumpy lane. Walk round the vehicle before you come and note anything that looks damaged.

• Brake pedal feel
• Tyre sidewalls
• Suspension noises
• Mirrors and lights

My MOT says dangerous. What now?

A dangerous defect means the vehicle is not safe to drive, so please do not use it. A major defect also fails the test. Minor defects are recorded but allow a pass, and advisories flag early wear.

Ask us for a quote on the repair. Retest terms depend on the fault and timing.

If your car is marked dangerous because of the brakes, steering or a tyre, it is not worth risking another journey. Leave it parked, tell us what the result sheet says and we will explain what the repair involves.

Do you test cars and vans from Pounds Gate?

Yes. Our garage is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL. Customers from small hamlets and the surrounding countryside, as well as nearby towns, use us.

Booking is online or by phone. Have your registration to hand.

Nobody expects you to know the local test procedure. Just tell us who you are, what you drive and what has been bothering you.

How early can I test, and does a pre-MOT check help?

You can test up to a month minus a day before expiry and keep the same renewal date. A pre-MOT inspection before that can show whether anything is likely to fail, so you can repair it first.

Time and cost for repairs depend on the fault and the parts. Ask for a quote and we will explain the work.