What to Check Before Your MOT – A Simple Checklist for Chester Drivers

Written by John Brookes, Director, Crane Bank Garage Chester

9th September 2026

After more than 50 years of carrying out MOT tests here in Chester, I have seen the same avoidable failures come through our doors time and again. A few simple checks before your MOT can save you the time and inconvenience of a retest, and in some cases save you money too.

We carry out around 150 to 200 MOT tests every month at Crane Bank Garage on Hartford Way, and whether you are coming to us from Blacon around the corner, making the trip from Handbridge across town, or driving in from Saltney or Saughall, the advice below applies to every car and every driver.

Here is the checklist I recommend to every customer before they bring their car in.

1. Lights

Walk around the car and check every light is working. Headlights on full and dipped beam, brake lights (you may need someone to help with this one), indicators front and rear, hazard lights, fog lights and number plate lights. Faulty lights are the single most common MOT failure reason in the UK year after year, and a single blown bulb can cause a failure.

We replace bulbs at no extra labour cost during an MOT, but it is always better to spot these things before you come in.

2. Tyres

Check the tread depth on all four tyres. The legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre. A simple way to check is the 20p test: insert a 20p coin into the tread groove, and if the outer rim of the coin is visible your tread may be close to the legal limit. Also check for any obvious damage, bulges or cuts in the sidewall.

I always tell our Chester customers that tyres can look fine on the surface but still be close to the legal limit. If you are not sure, bring the car in and we will check them for you.

3. Windscreen and wipers

Check your windscreen for chips or cracks, particularly in the area directly in front of the driver. A chip larger than 10mm in the critical viewing area will cause a failure. Also check your wiper blades — if they are smearing or streaking, they may need replacing before your test.

4. Brakes

If your brakes feel spongy, are pulling to one side, or making a grinding or squealing noise, get them looked at before your MOT. Our team at Crane Bank is always happy to take a look and give you an honest assessment. As one of our Chester customers told us: “Good friendly staff able to help very quickly, clear explanations of the issues.”

5. Horn

Give your horn a test. It sounds obvious, but a non-functioning horn is a straightforward MOT failure and one that is very easy to overlook.

6. Seatbelts

Check all seatbelts across the car, not just the driver’s. Make sure they clip in properly, retract smoothly and are not frayed or damaged. Every seatbelt in the vehicle is checked during the test.

7. Fluid levels

Check your engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid. Low washer fluid will not cause a failure but low brake fluid could flag a concern. It is good practice to check all of these before any garage visit.

8. Dashboard warning lights

If any warning lights are showing on your dashboard when you bring the car in, the MOT tester will see them. Some warning lights, particularly the engine management light, will cause a failure. If you have a warning light showing, it is worth calling us on 01244 317191 before your test so we can advise you.

9. Number plates

Make sure both number plates are present, secure, clean and clearly readable. Damaged or missing plates are a common and easily preventable failure.

10. Exhaust

If your exhaust sounds louder than usual or has started rattling, get it checked before your test. A leaking or excessively noisy exhaust will cause a failure, as will a faulty catalytic converter.

A final word from me

If you are not sure about anything on this list, please just give us a call on 01244 317191 before you come in. We are always happy to give free, honest advice over the phone. That is what we have always done and it is what keeps our Chester customers coming back year after year.

As Lorna Connolly, one of our regular customers, told us: “Wouldn’t use any other garage now for my MOT.”

Book your Chester MOT today

Crane Bank Garage is at Hartford Way, Sealand Road, Chester, CH1 4NT. While-you-wait MOT testing Monday to Friday, most tests completed in under an hour. MOT from £54.85 with a free 14-day retest included as standard.

Call 01244 317191 or book online here.