Do You Have a Classic Vehicle? MOT Testing Facts that You Should Know

Do You Have a Classic Vehicle MOT Testing Facts that You Should Know

Classic cars are a valuable possession for vehicle enthusiasts. While most keep them as an item for showcasing their choice of luxury, a large number of people still drive them with a few restoration works. For these types of vehicles, the MOT Test requirements are a bit complex.

The Rules for MOT Testing for a Vintage Car:

If you are in possession of a classic car currently, you must adhere to the various MOT rules that apply to them. While some cars are exempt from this vehicular test, some may need greater attention than modern vehicles. It is important to communicate with your nearby source for MOT Testing in Hove to clarify these facts.

Major Requirements for Classic Vehicle MOT Testing:

In this blog, we discuss the common questions regarding MOT Tests for classic vehicles. These will help you gather some vital information and proceed accordingly.

Do You Really Need MOT for Your Classic Car?

In certain scenarios, you may be prompted to take your vintage ride for an MOT test. However, if the vehicle was registered 40 years back and has not undergone any technical changes in the last three decades, you may not need to take it to an MOT Testing source.

What is Considered a Substantial Technical Change for the Cars?

One can find out a number of factors while looking for substantial changes in a classic vehicle. These changes should not have been done at least for the last three decades. The main components added in the ‘substantial mechanical changes’ are:

  • Changes to the engine and number of cylinders
  • Specific changes to the chassis and subframe
  • Modification to the axle or running gear, i.e. steering or suspension

How to Declare a Classic Car for MOT Exemption?

To make your vehicle eligible for MOT Exemption, the vehicle must undergo the DVLA historical vehicle registration process. Here, you need to fill out a form, either online or offline. In this form, you must produce details about the vital details of the vehicle. You may also have to produce vehicle tax reminders and insurance certificates.

These are a few important requirements that you must remember for MOT Testing in Hove. You can follow these to keep your classic possession updated to shape. For better assistance, you can get in touch with Rapid Auto Centre. As a trusted source for MOT Tests, we have served a number of customers in the last few years. To learn more about our service, you can visit our website today.

Tips For Choosing the Perfect Garage For Mot Testing in Hove

Tips For Choosing the Perfect Garage For Mot Testing in Hove

MOT refers to Ministry of Transport Tests are important annual tests to check your car’s health and roadworthiness. You should have a current MOT to legally drive your car on the road. A new car doesn’t require MOT, but a car older than three years need to carry out MOT before driving. Choosing the best MOT testing centre in Hove is essential for your car, and here are some factors you should look into in a garage before taking your car there.

Factors to Find the Appropriate Garage For MOT Testing

Check whether they are approved for Carrying out Mot Testing: Look for a government-approved testing centre, as there are a lot of garages with all the relevant tools and equipment to conduct the test. However, their test results will not give you the best resell value.

Check whether their Services include a thorough Car Inspection: MOT testing includes checking all the vital car parts like lighting and signalling equipment, suspension, steering, seat belts, brakes, tyres & wheels, body structure, drivers road views, exhaust and fuel emissions, registration plates, bonnet, electrical wiring & battery, windscreen, wipers & washers, doors, and others. If any garage denies you for the examination of overall car parts, look for another.

Check Mechanics’ License and Certification: Before handing over your car, ask the mechanics who will handle it to show their certification and license. You can also pay a surprise visit to the garage to see their technical skills. This will help you to make a better decision for your car.

Additional Services: A qualified garage will also offer other services to meet their client’s requirements depending on the cars. 

Friendly Staff: No matter how well-skilled and experienced a car repair centre is, you can’t choose the one where the staffs are not friendly and responsive to your requirements. While entrusting your car to others’ hands, it is an important factor as you may have a bunch of questions about your car; you would not be able to ask those with rude staff.

We at Rapid Auto Centre are qualified to carry out any car or van test. Our advanced equipment and well-trained mechanics ensure clients’ satisfaction. We offer various garage services like brake repairs, full car servicing, professional tyre fitting service and others. Contact us today if you are looking for the best garage for MOT testing in Hove and the surrounding areas.

What Happens When You Take Out Your Car without MOT?

mot certificate

The MOT Test is an important annual test related to your car maintenance. It is regarded both as a moral obligation and a legal requirement. The main objective of receiving an MOT Certificate is to ensure your car is suitable for driving. It also ensures that it doesn’t pose a threat to the passengers or pedestrians.

Driving without MOT is Illegal:

Nearly in all circumstances, driving without an MOT certificate is deemed illegal. If your MOT Certificate is older than three years, you should visit an MOT Testing in Hove. The test can help you solve most of the vehicular faults or issues. As a result, you can restore the standard of driving your vehicle on the roads.

Penalties for Not Taking Out an MOT Certified Vehicle:

In this blog, you can get a detailed discussion about the consequences of driving your car without an MOT certificate.

Penalties: When you cannot show an updated MOT Certificate upon request, you are liable to pay hefty fines. According to a minor change in MOT Laws in 2018, the fines can go up to £1000. In case your car has some dangerous faults, you may have to cough up a higher amount. In addition to that, you will receive three points against your licence. If you get fined twice in three years for not driving with an MOT, you may be banned from driving for six months.

Insurance and Other Benefits: The financial benefits against your car will also become null and void when you drive without MOT. The car insurance providers generally certify a car against insurance after checking all the documents. If your car is not roadworthy, they have all the reasons to remove your vehicle from their insurance.

Parking: It is illegal to park a car on a public road like a Highway which has lived up to its MOT certification period. If it’s reported, your car can be seized, and you have to pay a hefty fine. You will face this ordeal even if you have fully insured and cleared the taxes of the car.
To avoid all these tough situations and recurrent fines, it’s better to get your car MOT Certified on time. If you want it done from a well-known source, you can visit Rapid Auto Centre. We are one of the leading names in MOT Testing in Hove. Our business is a Class 4 MOT Testing Centre. We have all the usual equipment and technical assistance. To know more, you can visit our website today.

5 Things to Check Before Taking Your Car for MOT Testing in Hove

5 Things to Check Before Taking Your Car for MOT Testing in Hove

MOT testing is an annual safety checking process to ensure that the vehicle meets all the safety standards before you can drive the same out on the road. The test is mandatory for all cars, and during the test, a few specific parts of the car are checked. If the car passes the MOT test without any faults, then your car is completely ready for the road.

However, many times, the car might not pass the MOT test because of a minor problem present in the car. Under such circumstances, before taking the car for MOT testing in Hove, ensure you get the same checked by the local mechanics.

There are a few key things you’ll want to check first. Here are 5 of the most important car parts that should be checked before taking the car for the final MOT test.

What are the things to check before taking the car for the MOT test?

Tyre tread and pressure

Ensure your tires have enough tread and are inflated to the proper pressure. This will help ensure a smooth ride and good gas mileage. A minimum tyre tread needs to be maintained in the tyre. Ask the mechanic about the same.

Lights and reflectors

All of your car’s lights and reflectors should be in working order. This includes headlamps, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. It is unsafe to drive without these, but you could also fail your MOT test.

Windshield wipers

Check that your windshield wipers are in good condition and can effectively clear away rain, snow, or debris. Your car can’t pass the MOT test with defective windshield wipers as they help clear away the water and give the driver a clear view of the road ahead.

Horn

Your horn should be loud and clear. If it’s not working properly, you’ll need to fix it before your MOT test. For obvious reasons, a horn is an important part of the car. Horns alert cars and people walking on the road about the incoming vehicle. Hence without a proper functioning horn, your car will not get a clearance certificate from the MOT testing centres.

Oil level and condition

Check your car’s oil level and ensure it’s clean and debris-free. This is important for the longevity of your engine. This is an essential aspect that helps to pass the test.

Bring your car to Rapid Auto Centre. We are a class 4 MOT testing centre qualified to test regular cars for MOT with advanced equipment. To know more, check our website and book your dates.

What are the truths behind the MOT Tests?

What are the truths behind the MOT Tests?

For those who are aware of the term MOT test, it is an annual test which is performed to check the vehicle safety, conditions of the vehicle parts, judge the roadworthiness aspects and the type of emissions the car is producing. In simple terms, a car is required to pass the test to be eligible to be on the road. However, during an MOT test, the engine clutch and gearbox condition remain unchecked.

It is always illegal to drive a car without a valid MOT. If your card has failed the test, it is better to get it checked by a professional mechanic and approach the centre for MOT testing in Hove to fix the issues that are persisting in your car.

However, a few myths related to this testing process need to be discarded before going to a testing centre. Read on and get enlightened.

3 common myths related to MOT tests

Myth 1: Car fails MOT Test if lights don’t work
Many car owners feel that if the car’s front and rear end lights are not working correctly, the car will fail the test. If there is a problem with the bulbs, don’t panic; get them changed before you take your car out on the road. However, this is not a legal requirement and hence doesn’t affect the result of the MOT test.

Myth 2: Spare tyres must be legal

If the spare tyre is kept in the car and is not used during the mot test, it doesn’t play any role in the result. Many believe that the spare tyre must be legal for the car to pass the test.
However, this is a myth that needs to be discarded.

Myth 3: No insurance, no problem

Regardless of circumstances, a car’s insurance is a must and is a legal requirement. Although this is not a part of the MOT testing process, even if you pass the test, you may get into trouble on the road if you drive a car without insurance.

At Rapid Auto Centre, we provide complete MOT testing services. We have a team of mechanics who can help you with MOT tests. To know more check our website.

4 Things that can go Wrong if Regular Car Servicing is Avoided

4 Things that can go Wrong if Regular Car Servicing is Avoided

A car owner’s real responsibility starts after the car has been purchased. Car servicing is among the vital responsibilities that shouldn’t be avoided at any cost. However, to car owners, servicing seems like an additional expense. Especially if the car has been purchased recently, the car owner feels that servicing the same is a futile expense. However, like a human body, car’s function well when they are treated well. Each car has its defined period of performance. Pushing the same can result in damaging the car.

You can avoid irrelevant repair costs if you service the cars effectively. Even to pass the MOT test effectively, you must keep servicing your car regularly. Take a look at some of the issues that will definitely haunt you if you don’t service your car properly.

What happens to the car if it’s not serviced properly?

Sudden breakdowns

To keep the optimum level of performance in place, you need to take your car for regular servicing. If you avoid the same, you might face sudden breakdowns that can put you in trouble. Moreover, untimely damages occur when the car is not serviced properly. Hence approach professionals for car service in Brighton, Hove at least once a month.

Reduction in car’s lifespan

If you keep on avoiding regular servicing it will result in a reduced lifespan of the car. Like a human body, a car needs nourishment from time to time. Unchecked breakdowns and increased usage can cause your car to get old easily. Let’s say that your car has a lifespan of 10 years; lack of servicing will automatically reduce it to 5 years.

Expensive commuting

The car’s fuel economy is affected by several factors like engine’s performance, tyre pressure, and improper care. When these factors are not taken care of, the fuel consumption of the car increases. Hence, if you think of avoiding the servicing expenses, then instead, you’re wasting a lot of money for the high fuel consumption.

Inappropriate resale value

It will get difficult to find a buyer for a car with poor performance. The resale value of the car generally decreases when the car is not serviced properly. Moreover, the car’s performance is affected when the servicing is avoided; hence inconsistent resale value occurs.

To avoid these problems, take your car for servicing at Rapid Auto Centre, one of Brighton’s reputable and premier garage services. We provide complete car body services at the most affordable rates in town. Visit our garage today and improve your car’s performance.

Ready For MOT Testing? It Will Be Reintroduced Soon

Ready For MOT Testing? It Will Be Reintroduced Soon

If you are one of those car owners who think that their cars don’t need MOT testing because of the prevailing pandemic and lockdown, it is time you update yourself. Mandatory MOT testing to be reinforced soon as the government will slowly start lifting lockdown restrictions. If your van, car or motorcycle is due for an MOT test, start looking for a reputed garage offering the service. Book the test in advance to ensure that your vehicles are safe for driving as restrictions begin easing. The test certificate is necessary if you want to continue driving your vehicle.

Know Why Every Car Needs MOT Testing

The primary objective of MOT tests is to ensure that every part of your vehicle, including the lights, exhausts, seatbelts, brakes and tyres are in good working order. Some modern vehicles even require emission checks. If your car needs a few repairs, there are qualified mechanics who can bring your car back on the road. To maintain social distancing, numerous garages have opened all across the country. Their testing capacity has increased. You can choose one near your home offering MOT testing at competitive prices.

Check The New Guidelines

A few changes have been made in the guidelines. If the due date of your MOT was during the lockdown, you would get a six-month exemption. Even if you are planning to delay the test, ensure that your car is maintained correctly and is roadworthy. Car experts believe that if you want to enhance the lifespan of your vehicle, get the MOT sooner even if you are exempted from the legal requirement. Visit a garage without any delay if you feel that something is wrong with your car.

For more details please feel free call 01273 413 030 or 01273 422 128, you can also visit https://www.rapid-auto-centre.co.uk/mot/

How to Select the Best Service Provider for MOT Testing

Best Service Provider for MOT Testing

MOT or Ministry of Transport test involves a bunch of examinations of the vehicle to ensure its safety and functionality. This test ranges from checking the breaks to the seatbelts and from checking the doors to the exhaust system of the car. MOT testing in Portslade is not easy, and you must obtain the assistance of the qualified, certified and experienced automobile mechanics.

Know the Top Features of the MOT Service Provider

1. High Level of Experience

The matter or MOT testing demands a lot of understanding about the zone of automobile mechanism. Hence, the service provider must have vast experience and in-depth knowledge about this process. They should understand what the basics of MOT testing are and what the clients should get from the same.

2. Best Testing Tools

MOT testing also requires modern tools and technologies so that you can get flawless results. Testing with faulty or outdated tools may not provide you with the correct results. Therefore, the garage you choose for this test should have the latest equipment to test your car and find out its exact condition.

3.Aware of the Cause

MOT testing is done with a particular cause. This is a test of vehicle safety to ensure that the car you are driving is in proper condition and to reduce the chance of having accidents. The mechanics you hire should have complete awareness about the cause of this test. Then only they can perform it correctly.

4.Compact Services Must Be Offered

This type of testing includes a range of examinations on cars and general vehicles. The garage must have proper infrastructure, enough space and capacity to perform all these tests seamlessly. From the headlights to the windscreen and from the engine to the tyres – everything must be tested, and the result should be 100% accurate.

5.Advanced Diagnostic and Repairing Process

The main motto of this MOT testing in Portslade is to ensure the functionality and safety of your car while you are driving the same. However, if there are issues in your vehicle, then the mechanics should inform you about the same and repair them immediately. Advanced repairing must be done by the experts so that you can get your car back in flawless condition.

While talking about the MOT test, Rapid Auto Centre is a leading name in the industry where you can check for this service. They are one of the professional and reputable centres of garage service in Brighton. They can offer you complete assistance for the MOT test of your car anytime you want.