Car MOT Checklist: What to Check Before Your Test

Every October, loads of people suddenly remember their annual vehicle inspection is about to expire. And they ask me, "Kris, do you think my car will pass?" Well, that depends, my friend. If you check it a week beforehand, you've got time to put anything wrong right. If you discover a problem while you're queuing at the inspection centre, that's a different story. So here's my car MOT checklist, based on what we check at Das Auto Service before sending our customers off for their annual inspection in Bulgaria.

What safety equipment must you have in your car?

Start with the really simple things. You might laugh, but you'd be surprised how often people have to go back because of these:

• A first aid kit that's still in date;
• A warning triangle;
• A fire extinguisher that's been inspected and is still within its validity period;
• A high-visibility vest.

Every year, people come to us who can't even remember the last time they opened their first aid kit. We take a look, and it turns out it's been there since the previous owner had the car. And it expired ages ago. That's one headache you really don't need.

Car MOT checklist: what do inspectors actually check?

• The lights: dipped beam, main beam, indicators, brake lights, rear lights, fog lights and number plate lights. Even one blown bulb can cause you trouble.
• Headlight alignment. If your headlights are shining straight into the eyes of oncoming drivers, the inspection centre will pick it up.
• The brakes: whether they stop the car properly, whether there's a difference in braking force between the left and right wheels, and whether the handbrake holds.
• The tyres: how much tread is left, whether there's any visible damage, and whether the tyres on the same axle match.
• The suspension and steering: whether there's any play, torn rubber boots or leaks.
• Emissions: how much smoke the diesel produces and what comes out of the exhaust on a petrol engine.
• Dashboard warning lights. If the engine management light, airbag warning light or ABS light is on, there's a problem we need to investigate.
• The windscreen. If there's a crack in the area swept by the wipers, that's a problem too.

What can you check yourself a week before the inspection?

1. Walk around the car and switch on every light. Ask someone to press the brake pedal so you can check the brake lights too.
2. Have a good look at your tyres. Check how much tread they've got left and whether there's any damage. If winter is getting close, it's also time to think about switching to winter tyres.
3. Check the fluids: brake fluid, coolant and windscreen washer fluid.
4. Look at the dashboard after starting the engine. If a warning light stays on, come and see us. We'll run a diagnostic check and find out what's bothering your car.
5. Check the wipers and washer jets. Make sure the wipers clean the glass properly and the jets spray as they should.

Why is proper headlight alignment so important?

Because quite a few places simply don't do it properly. And then we wonder why so many cars are dazzling us on the road. I've explained it all in detail in my article about headlight alignment. With xenon, LED and Matrix headlights, you can't just put the alignment machine in front of the car and turn a screw. You need a diagnostic tester, the correct tyre pressures, the right vehicle load and a driver sitting in the driver's seat. Skip any of those things, and the machine might tell you the headlights are perfectly aligned while you're out on the road dazzling everyone coming towards you. Now tell me, my friend, what's the point of an adjustment like that?

A tip from Kris Mladenov: My friend, don't turn up for your annual inspection just hoping your car will pass. Bring it in for a quick service check a week beforehand. If we find anything wrong, we'll have time to sort it out properly, without rushing. Much better than trying to work out what to do on the last day, when your inspection has already expired.

I hope these checks help you pass your annual vehicle inspection first time. And if you've found this useful, send the article to a friend whose inspection is coming up too. You might save them a completely unnecessary trip to the inspection centre.

What you'll find in our shop

Audi car first aid kit

Genuine Audi first aid kit, supplied with everything required. Have a look at the expiry date on yours, my friend. It might have expired a long time ago.

View in our shop

Audi high-visibility vest for adults

Audi high-visibility vest for adults. Keep it inside the cabin, where you can reach it easily, not in the boot.

View in our shop

Audi folding warning triangle

Audi folding warning triangle. Takes up very little space and stands securely.

View in our shop

Read more

• Routine servicing at Das Auto Service
• Vehicle diagnostics
• Essential safety equipment for your car — in our shop
• Why is proper headlight alignment so important?
• When should you fit winter tyres, and how do you look after your summer tyres?
• Which windscreen washer fluid should you use in winter?
• Dashboard warning lights: which are serious and which can wait?
• Matrix LED and xenon headlights: common faults and alignment after replacement

Frequently asked questions

What must I have in my car for the annual inspection?

You'll need an in-date first aid kit, a warning triangle, a fire extinguisher that's been inspected and is still within its validity period, and a high-visibility vest. Check them well in advance, my friend. It would be a shame to have to go back over something so simple.

Will my car pass the inspection if the airbag warning light is on?

Don't take your car for its inspection with that problem. If the airbag warning light is on, something in the safety system isn't working as it should. We need to find out why first.

What is the minimum tyre tread depth for the inspection?

At least 1.6 mm. But remember, from 15 November to 1 March, Bulgarian law requires winter tyres or tyres with at least 4 mm of tread. Those are two different requirements, so don't mix them up.