Get Your Car Ready for Its MOT

by OCGAdmin | Aug 18, 2026 | News

An MOT can feel slightly like waiting for exam results, but there are several straightforward checks you can carry out before taking your car to the test centre.

These checks cannot guarantee a pass or replace a professional inspection. They can, however, help you spot simple problems such as a failed bulb, worn tyre or empty screenwash bottle before they become reasons for failure.

1. Check when your MOT is due

You can check your vehicle’s current MOT expiry date and previous test results using the government’s online MOT history service.

An MOT can be completed up to one month, minus one day, before the current certificate expires while retaining the existing renewal date. Booking early also gives you more time to deal with any repairs.

2. Test all the lights

Ask someone to stand outside the vehicle while you operate:

• Headlights
• Sidelights
• Brake lights
• Indicators
• Hazard-warning lights
• Rear fog lights
• Number-plate lights
• Reversing lights

Walk around the vehicle and check that every light works, is secure and is not badly damaged. Remember to check the high-beam warning light on the dashboard too.

3. Examine the tyres

Check every tyre for cuts, bulges, cracking and uneven wear. The legal minimum tread depth for cars and light vans is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its complete circumference.

Tyres should also be correctly inflated and of a suitable size and type for the vehicle.

If your car has a tyre-pressure monitoring system, make sure its dashboard warning light is not showing a fault. The spare wheel is not included in the MOT inspection, although it should still be kept in a safe and usable condition.

4. Check the windscreen, wipers and washers

The driver needs a clear view of the road.

Look for significant chips, cracks or damage to the windscreen, particularly within the area swept by the wipers. Check that both wipers operate properly and that the blades clear the glass without leaving large streaks.

Top up the screenwash and make sure the jets direct fluid onto the windscreen.

5. Try the horn

The horn should work properly and produce a continuous, uniform sound. Give it a quick test—but perhaps not at six o’clock on a Sunday morning unless you are trying to become less popular with the neighbours.

6. Inspect the number plates

The front and rear number plates must be:

• Securely attached
• Clearly readable
• In good condition
• The correct colour
• Displaying correctly formed and spaced characters

Clean off any dirt that makes the registration difficult to read.

7. Check the seatbelts and seats

Pull each seatbelt out fully and inspect it for serious cuts or fraying. Make sure it fastens securely and retracts properly when released.

The seats should be secure, and the driver’s seat must be capable of being adjusted where adjustment was originally provided.

8. Look at the mirrors

Check that the required mirrors are present, secure and provide a clear view. A cracked or badly damaged mirror may need replacing before the test.

9. Check the dashboard warning lights

Warning lights relating to systems such as the airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, brake fluid and electronic parking brake form part of the MOT inspection.

A light that remains illuminated may indicate a fault requiring investigation. Do not simply attempt to hide or reset a warning light without addressing its cause—it is likely to return, usually at the least convenient moment.

10. Pay attention to brakes, steering and suspension

Some safety-critical components cannot be properly assessed at home, but you may notice warning signs while driving.

Arrange an inspection if:

• The car pulls to one side
• The brake pedal feels unusual
• The brakes grind, squeal or vibrate
• The steering feels loose or heavy
• You hear knocking from the suspension
• The vehicle handles differently from normal

Do not wait for the MOT if you suspect a safety problem. A vehicle must remain roadworthy throughout the year, not merely for one day at the test centre.

Make sure the tester can inspect the car

Remove unnecessary clutter from the seats and boot, make sure all doors can be opened and ensure there is enough fuel and oil for the test to be completed.

The engine should be at its normal operating temperature when presented for the emissions test. A sensible drive before the appointment can help bring it up to temperature.

Is an MOT the same as a service?

No. An MOT checks whether a vehicle meets minimum road-safety and environmental standards at the time of the test.

A service follows the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and can include changing oil, filters and other components. A vehicle can pass its MOT while still being overdue for servicing, and a recently serviced vehicle can still fail its MOT.

What happens if the car fails?

MOT defects are classified as minor, major or dangerous. A vehicle fails if it has a major or dangerous defect.

Whether you can drive it away depends on whether the existing MOT remains valid, whether any dangerous defects have been recorded and whether the vehicle remains roadworthy. Never drive a vehicle with a dangerous defect.

Book an MOT in Sunderland

O’Connor’s Garage carries out MOT testing for Class 4 and Class 7 vehicles. We can also investigate faults and complete repairs if your car needs attention before or after the test.

Call 0191 565 9586 or use our contact form to arrange your MOT at our Sunderland garage.

Car Air Conditioning Not Blowing Cold? Five Signs It Needs Attention

by OCGAdmin | Aug 18, 2026 | News

Your car’s air conditioning is easy to ignore—right up until the first properly warm day, when the vents produce little more than a disappointing breeze.

Air conditioning is not only useful during hot weather. It also removes moisture from the air inside your car, helping to demist the windscreen during colder and wetter months. Keeping it working properly can therefore improve comfort and visibility throughout the year.

Here are five signs that your car’s air conditioning may need to be checked.

1. The air is no longer cold

The most obvious warning sign is air coming through the vents without becoming properly cold.

This can happen when the system is low on refrigerant, but it may also indicate a leak, a damaged condenser, a compressor problem or another fault. Simply adding more refrigerant will not permanently solve the problem if the system is leaking.

2. It takes much longer to cool the car

Your air conditioning may still produce cold air but take noticeably longer than it used to.

A gradual reduction in performance can occur as refrigerant is lost over time. According to the AA, many vehicle manufacturers recommend having the air-conditioning system serviced or regassed approximately every two years.

An air-conditioning regas is not normally included in a standard vehicle service, so it is worth checking when yours was last completed.

3. There is an unpleasant smell from the vents

A damp, musty or stale smell when you switch on the air conditioning may be caused by bacteria or mould within the system. A dirty cabin filter can also contribute to poor airflow and unpleasant smells.

A regas replaces the refrigerant but will not necessarily remove bacteria or mould. The system may require cleaning or further investigation to identify the cause.

4. You hear an unusual noise

Clicking, rattling, squealing or grinding noises when the air conditioning is running should not be ignored.

Possible causes include problems with the compressor, fan, drive belt or other moving components. Switching the system off and arranging an inspection could prevent a relatively small problem from becoming a more expensive repair.

5. The windscreen is taking longer to clear

Air conditioning helps remove moisture from inside the car, which is why it can clear a misted windscreen more quickly.

If the windows are taking longer to demist, particularly during wet weather, reduced air-conditioning performance could be part of the problem.

Should you use air conditioning during winter?

Yes. Running the system regularly throughout the year helps circulate refrigerant and lubricant through its components. It also gives you an opportunity to notice a loss of performance before the next hot day arrives.

Using the air conditioning alongside the heater is also one of the quickest ways to clear condensation from the windscreen.

What happens during an air-conditioning regas?

The existing refrigerant is removed from the system before it is checked and refilled with the correct quantity and type of refrigerant for the vehicle.

Different vehicles require different refrigerants, so air-conditioning work should be carried out using appropriate professional equipment. If the system has lost an unusual amount of refrigerant or quickly stops working again, it may have a leak or another fault that needs repairing.

Get your air conditioning checked in Sunderland

O’Connor’s Garage can regas and repair vehicle air-conditioning systems, including diagnosing faults and replacing damaged condensers where required.

If your air conditioning is no longer cold, is producing an unpleasant smell or is taking too long to clear your windscreen, contact us before the problem becomes worse.

Call 0191 565 9586 or use our contact form to arrange an air-conditioning check at our Sunderland garage.

Is Your Car Ready for the School Run? Seven Checks Before September

by OCGAdmin | Aug 18, 2026 | News

Cover:

1. Tyres — pressures, damage and tread depth. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. GOV.UK
2. Brakes — noises, vibration, pulling to one side or increased stopping distance.
3. Lights — headlights, indicators, brake lights and fog lights.
4. Wipers and screenwash — especially as darker, wetter mornings return.
5. Battery — warning signs such as sluggish starting after reduced summer use.
6. Oil, coolant and brake fluid — check levels and investigate unexplained loss.
7. MOT and servicing dates — don’t discover they are overdue on the first busy Monday morning.

The Highway Code recommends checking tyre pressures and fluid levels regularly and ensuring the battery and antifreeze are ready before winter. Highway Code vehicle maintenance guidance

Not sure whether your car is ready for the return to school?
O’Connor’s Garage can check your tyres, brakes, lights, battery and fluid levels before the darker mornings arrive. Call us on 0191 565 9586 to arrange a seasonal vehicle health check.