MOT Testing in South Knighton

South Knighton is a small rural hamlet on country lanes in the Newton Abbot area. People here depend on their car or van for almost every journey, so a vehicle failing its MOT can disrupt a whole week.

This guide explains how MOT testing works at Automaster, our garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and how to arrive prepared so that the test is a formality rather than a worry.

What counts as a pass or a fail at an MOT?

The MOT tests a vehicle against a minimum standard of roadworthiness. Defects are recorded as dangerous, major or minor. Dangerous means the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and both dangerous and major defects result in a fail. Minor defects are noted and the vehicle can still pass, while advisories point to wear that is developing.

A pass certificate covers the day of the test only, so keep an eye on tyres, lights and brakes through the year.

Which parts of my car or van are looked at?

The tester checks lights and indicators, brakes, tyres and wheels, steering and suspension, the exhaust and emissions, the view through the windscreen, wipers, seatbelts, registration plates, the horn, the safety condition of the body and any dashboard warning lights.

Cars are Class 4 and vans Class 7. We test both.

• Lights, wipers and screen
• Brakes and tyres
• Steering and suspension
• Exhaust, emissions and warning lights

Is it worth checking my car before the MOT?

Yes. Hedgerow lanes cause scuffed tyres, cracked lamp lenses and mirrors knocked out of position, and these are simple to put right before the test but frustrating to fail on. A pre-MOT inspection looks at the same items and tells you what needs attention.

If we find something, we can carry out the MOT repairs here. How a repair and retest fit together depends on the fault and timing, so ask when you book.

Can I bring my vehicle to Longcombe Cross from South Knighton?

Yes. Drivers from South Knighton and the lanes around it, along with Newton Abbot, Heathfield, Liverton and Abbotskerswell, come to our garage at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes, TQ9 6PL.

You can book online or by phone. Give us your registration, say if it is a car or a van, and mention anything unusual such as a noise, a warning light or a pull when braking.

When is my MOT due, and what makes repairs cost more or less?

A vehicle needs its first MOT at three years old and then every year. You can have it tested up to a month minus a day before the certificate expires without losing your renewal date.

What a repair costs depends on the fault, the parts for your vehicle and the labour needed. We can only give a sensible figure after looking, so ask for a quote and we will explain it in words first.