MOT Testing

If you have any questions regarding our MOT testing service, please don't hesitate to contact the friendly team at JS Motors Oxford.

What is a Class 4 MOT?

Class 4 MOT tests cover:

• Cars with up to 8 passengers
• Motorised caravans/ camper vans
• Three-wheeled vehicles over 450kg (curb weight)
• Quad bikes up to 400kg (curb weight) or for goods vehicles 500kg (curb weight) and a maximum net power of 15 kw.
• Dual Purpose Vehicles (vehicles designed to carry both passengers and goods, weighing no more than 2,040kg)
• Taxis and ambulances
• Private passenger vehicles with 9-12 passenger seats

What's checked in an MOT?

The test is designed to ensure that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards.

You should be aware that the MOT certificate is not a guarantee of the general mechanical condition of your car - you should have your car serviced regularly to maintain its mechanical condition.

Most common MOT failures

Most MOT failures are caused by issues that are easy to identify and in many cases can be addressed at home, with lighting and signalling issues consistently being the most frequent area of MOT failure. These were the five most common areas of MOT failure in 2014/15 according to the DVSA:

• Lighting and signalling: 18.4% of all tests (5 million)
• Suspension: 12% of failures (3.3 million)
• Brakes: 9.6% of failures (2.6 million)
• Tyres: 7.4% (2 million)
• Obstructions to driver’s view of the road: 6.6% (1.8 million)

How to make sure your car passes its MOT test

Many failures we see every day could be prevented by drivers carrying out some simple checks before bringing their vehicle in. Common avoidable faults include light bulbs, tyre condition and pressure, mirrors, wipers and washers. See our tips on how to make sure your car passes its MOT first time.

You can avoid the common MOT fails by checking:

• lightbulbs are working - 30% of all faults related to lighting and signalling
• tyre condition and pressure - 10% of all faults related to tyres
• mirrors, wipers and washers - 8.5% of all faults related to ‘Driver’s view of the road’

What documents do I need to bring?

If your vehicle is undergoing its first MOT then a V5C vehicle registration certificate (log book) is required, this document is also required if your vehicle has had a change of registration plate since its last MOT. In all other instances, no documentation is required.

What happens if my car fails?

If your car fails, it must be repaired and retested. You cannot legally drive your car on the road until the repairs have been made and a certificate issued. Most repairs can be carried out onsite at JS Motors Oxford on the same day, and we will always advise you upfront about any work that needs to be done.