Owning a car provides convenience, but it comes with responsibilities. In our daily lives, cars help us to commute from one place to another with the highest convenience. However, it is the responsibility of the car owner to make sure the car is roadworthy and safe for the environment. In the UK, road and environmental safety are given enormous importance. Therefore, it is a rule that every car running on the UK roads should have a valid Ministry of Transport (MOT) test certificate. Besides, car owners should also visit the service centre for its scheduled maintenance. These two aspects are the main responsibilities of every UK citizen. Let us now know about the MOT Croydon and the importance of regular car service.
What is an MOT Test, and Why is It So Important?
Cars that are at least three years old from their date of registration must have a valid MOT test certificate, where certified mechanics conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle. This test is based on some parameters that ensure that the car’s condition is safe to be driven on the UK roads. The MOT holds immense importance because it assesses the key operational components of the car and ensures that the vehicle complies with the set environmental standards. The test is an annual check-up that includes inspection of brakes, suspension, lights, and emissions and awards a pass certificate to the car owner.
What Are the Main Aspects of the MOT Test That Make It a Mandatory Inspection?
Firstly, road safety is something that not only safeguards the vehicle and pedestrians on the road but also protects the occupants of the car. One of the biggest advantages of the MOT test is that it checks all the important components of the car and identifies faults, which could lead to dangerous situations on the road. Some of the common issues found are damaged tyres, faulty lights, and worn-out brakes, among other problems. Once the faults are identified, the car owner can easily get them fixed before getting the pass certificate from the MOT.
Secondly, as mentioned above, one of the purposes of the MOT test is to ensure the vehicle is compliant with the set standards of the environment. In a time where pollution from carbon footprints is a prime concern, the MOT test is a good way for every citizen to contribute to the well-being of the environment.
Thirdly, the MOT test in the UK is regarded as a legal requirement, and therefore, cars without this certification face severe penalties from the traffic police. Besides hefty penalties, car insurance may become invalid, and, in some cases, car owners could be prosecuted as well. Thus, having a valid MOT certificate ensures you are aligned with the law and can drive without any fear.
Regular Car Service—The Lifeline of Every Car
Now that we have a fair understanding of the MOT test, let us find the importance of regular car servicing. Vehicle servicing is a step ahead of the MOT test, as it is a way to keep the vehicle running smoothly and efficiently. It not only checks the safety features and components of the car but also implements several preventive measures, allowing the car to run reliably throughout the year.
Prevention of sudden breakdowns: From time to time, car maintenance helps to identify issues like worn-out brakes, faulty batteries, and fluid leaks that are often the reasons for sudden breakdowns. During the service, the expert mechanic fixes all such problems, which significantly reduces the risk of breakdowns.
Improves fuel economy: Car owners would always want to save fuel as much as possible, as fuel isn’t that cheap. Regular car service ensures the oil and filters are replaced with new ones, and if there is any clogged filter, it is immediately cleaned. Even spark plugs and tyres are checked during the service, which altogether contributes to reduced fuel consumption, resulting in optimum fuel efficiency.
Extended lifespan: Cars that are taken to the service station enjoy a longer lifespan than those that are not well-maintained. Preventive safety measures and quick resolution, even to the smallest of mechanical issues, help the car run for a longer time. This practice also saves a lot of money, as repair costs for major issues are generally expensive.
Impressive resale value: Any car buyer would be ready to pay a good price for a car that has a proper service history. This is because car enthusiasts understand that vehicles that regularly undergo servicing are free from major issues and are reliable. Moreover, there are many car manufacturers that state that regular car service is necessary to keep the car warranties valid.
Conclusion
There is a misconception that if a car has a valid MOT test certificate, it does not require servicing. One has to note the fact that the MOT test inspects the safety components and ensures the vehicle is safe for the road and for the environment. Although a legal requirement, the MOT test does not check if the efficiency of the car is at an optimal level. Regular car servicing in Croydon provides long-term benefits, as it includes detailed inspection of the components, replacements of oil and filters, performance assessment, and many more that are excluded from the MOT test.
