MOT Testing in South Brent

South Brent is a stopping point on the A38 between Exeter and Plymouth, with the River Avon running beside it and hills climbing towards the moor. Cars that live here tend to do long fast stretches on the main road, then steep climbs on the way home.

At Automaster, our garage near Totnes offers MOT testing for cars and vans, with repairs and retests available if something fails. Below is how it all works, in plain terms and without the jargon.

Can I get an MOT if I live in South Brent?

Yes. Drivers from South Brent come to our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, as do people from Ivybridge, Buckfastleigh and Modbury. You can arrange a booking online or by phone.

If you also use your vehicle for work, mention whether it is a car or a van so that we can book it under the right class. Cars take a Class 4 test and vans a Class 7.

What gets checked on a car that does A38 miles?

Regular fast-road driving wears tyres and keeps the brakes working hard, and the tester examines both closely. The test also covers lights, steering, suspension, exhaust and emissions, mirrors, the view through the windscreen, seatbelts, plates, warning lights and the body structure.

If you hear a droning from a wheel bearing or feel vibration at speed, say so when you book. It may be nothing, but it is better looked at than ignored.

• Tyre wear across the tread
• Brake pads and discs
• Exhaust and emissions
• Windscreen chips in the wiper area

What is the difference between dangerous, major and minor?

Dangerous means stop driving until it is repaired. Major means the vehicle fails. Minor means the fault is recorded but the car can still pass, and advisories flag parts approaching their limit.

Treat a dangerous or major mention seriously. Get the repair booked rather than putting up with a worn or failing part on a fast road with hills at either end.

Why do a pre-MOT inspection first?

The point is to avoid a second visit. Bulbs, wipers and tyre condition are quick to check, and if they need replacing, you can do so before the test rather than after a fail.

This is particularly useful for anyone with a busy week who cannot spare time for a retest. An inspection also gives us the chance to spot brake or suspension wear coming up.

How does the MOT date work, and what about retests?

The first MOT is due when the vehicle turns three years old, then every year after. A test taken up to a month minus a day early keeps the renewal date the same.

After a fail, we can repair and retest. The terms depend on the fault and the timing, so ask us. For repair prices, ask for a quote once we have seen the vehicle.