Safety Signs You Must Never Overlook Before an MOT

Back in 2018, there were more than 1,700 fatal road accidents in the UK, a 3% increase from 2017. It was a similar number seen back in 2012. More than 26,000 individuals were either seriously injured or lost their lives that year.

By following a few simple tips, a significant number of accidents could have been averted. For example, dashboard lights which might indicate a malfunction. Many a time, drivers also ignore various additional easy to avoid safety signs.

Here are some significant safety signs you should never overlook when you're on the road.

Brake lights

If this light turns on, make sure the parking brake is fully released; this is a common reason behind the brake lights turning on. However, in most other cases, the issues are mechanical and serious in nature. Brake lights may illuminate in case of braking fluid leaks leading to comprehensive system failures.

If you feel your pedal is lacking resistance while stopping or you have to pump the pedal to halt, it is the cause of the leakage. Take your car for a full MOT check-up at service centres for an MOT test in Coventry. Reputed professional garages such as Central Point MOT provide such professional check-up services. Their expert technicians are known for their pre and post MOT car care services all throughout the UK.

Temperature light

Did you notice any signs of overheating in your car? It’s normal if you drive through an excessive humid day for long hours. But if that’s not the case, your car engine may have multiple underlying issues. The first step you should take is let the engine cool off. If the problem persists, drop by any nearest service workshop for a check-up.

Usually, it takes 20 to 30 minutes for the engine to cool down. Open the engine, check for the coolant levels. If the level stays low even after 30 minutes, you should consider a refill at the nearest professional garage you can find. Typically, a malfunctioning sensor or an underlying issue can cause the cooling system to malfunction. It is advisable to seek professional advice at once.

Engine lights

Make sure engine lights don’t pop up while you’re driving. Often called the ‘dreaded light’, it signals serious issues with your car's engine. It could be anything like a bad sensor or a failure of your exhaust system among other possibilities. Get your car diagnosed at professional auto mechanic workshops immediately.

Inflation issues

Tyre pressure light blinks on when your car tyres are 25% or less inflated. Over-inflated tyres increase the chances of a tyre blowout. The first symptom you will notice is higher braking distance. Under-inflation also comes with its own share of negatives, e.g. rapid treads wear. It is essential to know the accurate tyre pressure necessary for your vehicle’s tyres.

Remember, over or under-inflated tyres can lead to a silly blemish on a could-have-been perfect MOT Test in Coventry.

Check the parking mirrors

See if the parking mirrors are properly functioning while you're parking your vehicle. Are they showing parking or leaving a position? Are you able to do a three-point turn? Is it merging when changing lanes? These indicate you need to change your parking mirrors immediately.

While these don't cover the entire list of pre-emptive safety issues, it does include all the significant aspects. Before taking your car for an MOT, just make sure to run a thorough enough check on these pointers. Better still, refer to professional assistance to guarantee that you pass your MOT straight up!