HGV MOT's: What Is Checked & How Can You Prepare Your Vehicles?

Every vehicle that is more than three years old needs to undertake an MOT test every year, and HGVs are no exception. The test has been developed to examine specific components to ensure that the vehicle is safe to be on the road and to check its emissions in order to try and improve air quality.

All commercial vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of more than 3.5 tonnes must undergo an MOT within a year from the end of the month of its first registration, and trailers with an unladen weight of over kilograms must have their MOTs no more than a year after the end of the month of its initial sale.

As so many HGVs rely on a clean bill of health from their MOT to stay on the roads and earn a living, we have taken a look at the key items to be checked on an MOT and what you can do to prepare your HGV.

To explain further, Andrea Easton of Walker Movements, shares her insights into HGV MOT's and how you can prepare your vehicle.

Brakes

During the inspection, the brakes of the vehicle will be checked, looking at their condition and performance. This will include examining the brake pads, discs, drums and hydraulics.

The legal limit for brake pads is 1.5mm and if your pads are on or below this limit, your vehicle will fail its MOT. If your brake pads are at or below 3mm then you will pass your MOT however it will be given as an advisory to change your brake pads as they could soon become illegal.

Suspension

The shock absorbers, springs and ball joints of your suspension will all be checked to make sure that they are in good working order.

Steering

As the handling of the vehicle is very important, the inspector will check how the steering system operates by looking at the steering wheel as well as the steering column and the steering box.

Lights

Visibility is essential when driving an HGV, so the condition and operation of the lights will be looked at, including the headlights, indicators, brake lights and hazard lights.

Before your MOT, it is worth testing all of your lights to ensure they are in full working order and if you notice any faults, you may have time to replace bulbs before the MOT.

Bodywork

As part of your MOT, inspectors will pay attention to the bodywork of your HGV and not just the mechanics of it. They will check its condition and will pay particular attention to the chassis, cab and external fittings to ensure that they are all in good working order.

Windscreen

Your windscreen is also important and so they will look for any chips, cracks or damage that might impair visibility when driving.

During the MOT, they will also check the health of your wiper blades for any tears or damage and to ensure they effectively clear your windscreen when operated. If they are deemed inadequate, your truck will fail, and the wiper blades will have to be replaced.

Tyres

There are some tight regulations in place where tyres are concerned, and so MOT inspectors will check that they meet all minimum requirements.

The legal limit for tyres is 1 mm of even tread. Your vehicle will fail if your tread is below the legal limit, and you will be required to purchase new tyres immediately. You may receive an advisory to change your tyres when they get to around 3mm left in tread.

Exhaust Emissions

The MOT will also cover the emissions that come from your exhaust to see how polluting the vehicle is. There are minimum standards set by the DVSA, and so the test will ensure that you are within the legal limits.

Preparing for an MOT test

MOT repair bills can be costly, and a failure can mean that the vehicle is off the road until all necessary repairs have been made. It is therefore important to be as prepared as possible by conducting your own regular maintenance checks.

This will help to flag up any issues and will allow you to deal with things before they become major problems. You can also conduct your own check before the MOT so that you do not get any nasty and avoidable surprises.

It is also a good idea to get all of your documentation in place and clean your vehicle to help make it easier to identify any defects.

When sending your HGV for an MOT test, you should make sure that you always use a certified test centre so that you can be sure your certificate is valid and legal. By staying on top of the maintenance that your truck needs on a regular basis, you can help to avoid many of the typical MOT pitfalls and keep your HGV on the road.

Using the government's website, you can also sign up for alerts and you will receive an email or text to remind you that your vehicle is due an MOT, this is helpful if your business has a large fleet or a busy schedule. The reminder will be sent two months before your MOT expires, so you will have plenty of time to book your MOT.