Booking an MOT and a Service in One Visit: How to Plan It

Check your MOT date first

Start with the date your current MOT runs out. You can check it using the government's online MOT history service with your registration number, and your last certificate will show it too.

You can usually have the MOT done up to a month, minus a day, before it expires and keep the same renewal date. For example, if your MOT expires on 20 June, you can test it from 21 May and the new certificate will still run to 20 June the following year. Test it earlier than that and the new expiry is counted from the test date. If you are unsure, check the current rules before booking.

Choosing the right level of service

Service levels vary between garages, so ask what each one includes rather than relying on the name. As a rough guide, an interim service suits drivers who cover a high mileage or want a check between annual services, while a full service is a wider inspection and replacement of key items each year.

A major service goes further still, covering more of the items that wear over longer periods. If your car is still in a manufacturer's service plan or you want the book stamped to a particular schedule, ask about manufacturer-schedule servicing. Your handbook and service book will show what your car's makers recommend at its age and mileage.

• Interim service: a lighter check, useful between annual services
• Full service: a thorough annual service of key items
• Major service: the widest scope, for items that wear over longer periods
• Manufacturer-schedule servicing: follows your car maker's service plan

Getting the car ready

Preparation is mostly common sense. Check that all lights, the horn, the wipers and the washers work, make sure the windscreen is not badly chipped or cracked in the driver's view, and look over your tyres for damage and low tread. Top up screenwash, and clear out the boot and cabin so the car can be inspected properly.

Take notes of anything you want looked at, such as a noise, a warning light or a pull when braking. Tell the garage when you drop the car off. If a warning light is on, mention that as well, because it can affect the MOT result.

• Test all exterior lights and the horn
• Check wipers, washers and screenwash
• Look over tyres for damage and wear
• Make a list of any faults or noises to mention

Handing over the keys

When you drop off the car, say clearly what you have booked: the MOT, the level of service and any extra concerns. Leave a contact number that you will actually answer, and take any locking wheel nut key and radio codes in case they are needed.

Ask how and when you will be told the result, and how you would like to approve extra work. We are happy to explain what will happen, and you can ask us about timings when you book. It is better to agree the plan at the start than to guess later.

If repairs are found

Occasionally the inspection finds something that needs attention. In an MOT, faults are generally recorded as items that fail the test, items that are dangerous, or advisories that are worth watching. A failed MOT can mean the car needs repair and a retest.

The garage should explain each item, show you what they found if you ask, and give you an estimate before starting any repair. At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we can carry out MOT repairs and retests, and we will explain what is urgent and what can wait. Ask whether a retest applies after repair, since the rules on retests depend on the circumstances, and check the current guidance.

Getting your records

After the visit, the MOT result is recorded online against your registration, and you should be given the service paperwork too. Keep the invoice, the service book stamp or digital record, and the list of work done.

A tidy record of services and MOTs helps you track what has been done and when the next work is due. It is also useful if you later sell the car, as buyers like to see evidence of regular care.

Frequently asked questions