Do you know the current MOT guidelines during the COVID-19 lockdown?

A: Jerri Murtagh

Following the most recent COVID-19 guidelines, the Government has announced that the MOT expiry date of your car, van or motorcycle will be extended by six months if it’s due on or after 30th March 2020, provided that your car is still safe to drive.

Due to current guidelines, all of our MOT, service centres and showrooms are temporarily closed, however as long as your MOT is due on or after Monday 30th March you do not need to take any action other to ensure that you book this in within six months of your current expiry date, when normal business resumes in the UK.

The one key area to note however is that, although the MOT deadline has been extended, you MUST keep your vehicle safe to drive.

Website, GOV.UK, recommends the following checks:

Checks you should carry out

Every time you drive you should check:

the windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean
all lights work
the brakes work

Your vehicle’s handbook will tell you how often to check the:

engine oil
water level in the radiator or expansion tank
brake fluid level
battery
windscreen and rear window washer bottles - top up with windscreen washer fluid if necessary
tyres - they must have the correct tread depth and be free of cuts and defects

The handbook will also tell you when your vehicle needs to be serviced.

Tyre tread

Tread must be a certain depth depending on the type of vehicle:

cars, light vans and light trailers - 1.6 millimetres (mm)
motorcycles, large vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles - 1mm
Mopeds only need to have visible tread.

There must be tread across the middle three-quarters and around the entire tyre. You can view all guidelines by clicking here.

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Our showrooms and service centres are temporarily closed, however we are still able to operate as an online business for those looking to purchase a new car. Find out more by clicking here.