How is a MOT test different from a car service?

Maintenance of a vehicle depends on the quality of car servicing and maintenance. Your user guide has complete instructions about the proper maintenance of your vehicle. You will keep your car safe and efficient for a long time if you do not ignore the instructions in the user manual.

MOT Harrogate or the Ministry of Transport test is a compulsory test for car drivers in the UK. According to the instructions of the MOT department, drivers have to visit an authorized MOT center with their cars for a complete checkup to get a MOT certificate. The main objective of this test is to enhance the level of road safety.

In this blog, we will compare both the MOT test and car servicing since both have a link with road safety and maintenance of the vehicle.

What is the basic difference between an MOT and a car service?

The car service ensures a vehicle’s overall performance and efficiency. Moreover, the car mechanic will check the components of the vehicle to improve its condition.

During an MOT test, the tester will check the vehicle to assess its mechanical condition. The mechanic during the test has no intention to change the condition of your car.

The priority of a mechanic during car service is to improve its mechanical condition by eliminating faults. On the other hand, the tester looks for faults but does not want to repair the faults to declare the results.

To elaborate on the topic, let us have a look at the MOT test and car service separately.

What is an MOT test?

MOT is a compulsory test for car drivers in the UK. Drivers must pass this test to get a valid certificate. This certificate shows that your car is safe on the roads.

A lot of garages are working as MOT centers across the country. You can come to any center for the MOT test after the third anniversary of your vehicle.

What is included in the MOT test?

The MOT tester checks your vehicle according to a pre-defined list of components.

These components include brakes, tyres, horn, seatbelts, lights, windscreen, windscreen wipers, steering and suspension, exhaust, number plate etc.

These components may have three types of faults according to the categorization of the MOT center. These types are major, minor, and dangerous.

Minor faults would not cause failure in the test. Your car would not be able to get the certificate due to major or dangerous faults.

Is MOT a legal need?

Yes, an MOT test has legal importance. According to the MOT laws and regulations, you have to bring your car to the center for the test if it is over three years old.

If you drive your car without a legal MOT certificate, the police department can take legal action against you.

What is the period of validity for an MOT certificate?

Your MOT certificate is valid for one year. It means you have to submit your car again to get a new certificate. If you do not have the test after one year, the police department will treat your certificate as an illegal document.

You should book your MOT test before the expiry date to avoid any legal action. If for any reason, you could not have the test and now your certificate is invalid, you have to stop driving your car immediately, locate a nearby center, and book your MOT. Laws allow you to drive your car to the MOT center to have a pre-booked test.

What is a car service?

The main objective of a car service is to ensure the proper health and performance of a vehicle. A car mechanic wants to improve the condition of your vehicle, unlike the MOT tester. The MOT tester aims to check the condition of your car to declare the results.

Cars are large moving machines that should run on roads efficiently. Therefore, regular checkups are necessary to preserve a vehicle.

Cars come with a user manual that has complete information about car servicing and maintenance. The user manual tells the car driver about set time intervals to be a part of a car servicing session.

What does a car service session include?

The list of car components during a car service session depends on the type of car service.

Generally, the mechanic includes a fuel filter, air filter, tyres, fluids, spark plug, coolant flush, and tyre rotation during a car service session.

Is a car service a legal need?

No, a car service is not a legal requirement. However, you need to maintain your car according to the car servicing schedule to keep it healthy and efficient for a long time. Moreover, a healthy and efficient car is safe on roads for other drivers and road users.

Visiting a car service center for car servicing is extremely important. Your well-maintained car will provide several benefits to you if you do not avoid the car servicing schedule.

You will always travel with peace of mind because your car does not have any major or dangerous faults. Moreover, your car will perform efficiently on roads because of high-level maintenance. Additionally, maintaining a car increases its resale value. Conclusively, you should not avoid Car Servicing Harrogate in any condition. Besides these benefits, you should consider safety concerns as well.