MOT Testing in Totnes

If your car spends its life climbing Fore Street, crawling behind summer visitors or waiting for a gap on the A385 and A381, the brakes, tyres and suspension take more punishment than the average. An MOT in Totnes is the yearly check that shows how well those parts are coping.

At Automaster we test cars and vans, and we can also look at anything that needs attention afterwards. This page explains what the test covers, what happens if something fails and how to book, so you know what to expect before you bring the vehicle in.

What does an MOT test check on my car?

A Class 4 MOT is the test for ordinary cars. The tester works through the vehicle methodically: lights and indicators, brakes, tyres, steering and suspension, the exhaust and emissions, the view through the windscreen and mirrors, seatbelts, registration plates and the dashboard warning lights. They also look over the body for damage or corrosion that could make the car unsafe.

It is a snapshot of roadworthiness on the day, not a service. It does not tell you how the engine will run next year, but it does flag worn or failing parts that affect safety.

• Lights, indicators and number plates
• Brakes, tyres and wheels
• Steering and suspension
• Exhaust, emissions and warning lights

What do dangerous, major and minor mean?

Every fault is graded. A dangerous defect means the vehicle is a direct risk to road safety and should not be driven until it is repaired. A major defect is a fail that needs fixing before the car can pass. A minor defect is recorded, but the car can still pass, and the tester may also note advisories about parts that are wearing.

Treat advisories as a shopping list for the year ahead. A tyre close to its limit or a slightly weeping shock absorber is far easier to plan around than to deal with at the roadside.

Do you test vans and cover Totnes drivers?

Yes to both. Alongside Class 4 car tests we carry out Class 7 MOT testing for vans, which suits Totnes tradespeople, shop deliveries and market-day loads. Our garage is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from Dartington, Buckfastleigh, South Brent and Paignton also bring their cars and vans to us.

If you are not sure whether your vehicle falls under Class 4 or Class 7, tell us the make, model and type when you get in touch and we will confirm before you book.

Is a pre-MOT inspection worth doing?

A quick pre-MOT inspection often pays for itself. Bulbs, wiper blades, washer fluid and tyre condition are common reasons for a fail and are easy to fix beforehand. If we find something during an inspection, you can decide whether to have it put right before the test itself.

Cars that do plenty of short stop-start trips in town can pick up brake wear and tired suspension bushes without the driver noticing, which is another good reason to have things looked over first.

When is my MOT due and how do I book?

A new car needs its first MOT when it reaches three years old, then every year after that. You can take the test up to a month minus a day before the current certificate runs out and keep the same renewal date, so there is no need to leave it to the last minute.

You can book online or by phone. If the car fails, MOT failure repairs can be carried out here, and a retest is part of the process. Retest and repair terms depend on the fault and on timing, so please ask when you book.