MOT Testing in Ringmore

Ringmore is a small coastal village of narrow lanes, and walkers and holiday visitors mean slow driving and tight passing places for much of the year. Cars that live here brush the verge a lot, and the wear tends to show in tyres, wheel rims and suspension.

We are Automaster, and we carry out Class 4 MOT tests for cars and Class 7 MOT tests for vans at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Anything that fails can be repaired and retested with us, so the whole job stays in one place.

What gets looked at in an MOT?

Every MOT follows the same framework. The tester checks the lights, brakes, tyres, steering and suspension, exhaust and emissions, mirrors and windscreen visibility, seatbelts, registration plates, the condition of the body where it affects safety, and any warning lights on the dashboard.

Because lanes like yours are tight, check tyre sidewalls for scuffs and bulges and look over the lamp lenses before you come in.

• Lights, indicators and plates
• Brakes, steering and suspension
• Tyres and seatbelts
• Exhaust, emissions and warning lights

How serious is a major or dangerous MOT fault?

The tester sorts each defect into dangerous, major or minor. A dangerous fault means the vehicle should not be driven at all. A major fault is a fail that has to be repaired before the car can pass. A minor fault is noted but still allows a pass, and advisories point to things that are wearing.

If the brakes or steering feel wrong in the days before the test, do not wait for the MOT date. Have the car looked at straight away.

Should a car on narrow lanes have a pre-MOT check?

It is a sound idea. Contact with hedges and verges can loosen trim, crack lenses and damage tyres, and a pre-MOT inspection shows what is likely to cause a fail while there is still time to deal with it.

We can then do the MOT preparation work first, which often avoids having to come back for a retest.

What happens after an MOT fail?

You receive a list of the defects, and we explain what each one means. If you want us to carry out the MOT repairs, we can quote for them and then retest the car. The terms for a retest depend on the fault and how soon the car comes back, so ask when you book.

Never keep driving a car with a dangerous defect, whatever the lane or the errand.

Do you take MOT bookings from Ringmore?

Yes. Our garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from Ringmore, Bigbury, Kingston, Bantham and Thurlestone use it. Booking is online or by phone.

Say whether it is a car or a van, what fuel it uses and whether anything has been bothering you, and ask for a quote on any work.