If you have joined the thousands of other drivers in the electric car revolution by purchasing an EV, you may wonder if your electric car needs a MOT Test Luton just like combustion engine cars.
The short answer is Yes, All cars whether they are run on combustion engines, hybrid or even electric cars, all need to go through the MOT Luton test in order to drive within the UK. If your EV is brand new then you need to wait for three to get your MOT done. If you are electric car is more than three years old you need to perform an MOT every year to ensure it is safe to drive on UK roads.
In this blog post, we will talk about everything related to the MOT test and the components that are checked in the MOT test. If you want to know more about electric car MOT testing, keep reading.
Petrol Car MOT vs Electric Car MOT
Performing MOT in an electric car is similar to the MOT test for petrol and diesel vehicles. But there are some differences.
The main difference between both of them is fuel cars have an internal combustion engine, which will have an exhaust system that needs to be tested but in electric cars that is not necessary.
Outside of electric cars, there is no exhaust system in the car. However, some cars do have exhaust but they are just for looks and are fake. There are also other differences as well in the features of the cars. For example, inspecting the car battery is a major part of an electric car MOT.
What Are Things Check-in The MOT Test?
An electric car MOT test is designed to make sure that your EV satisfies the minimal legal requirements of traffic legislation and is safe to drive on the road, in contrast to combustion engine automobiles that run on petrol or diesel. A few of the parts of an electric car that the MOT inspector inspects are:
Tyres: The rules for tyres are the same for both combustion engine cars and electric cars. Your tyres must have a legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm and below that mark, your car will fail its MOT test so be sure to check it. The tester will also look for any damages like cuts or bulges because it is crucial for daily drivers as the condition of your tyres can affect performance and safety.
Wheels: The tester will check the wheels and look for any cracks or splits in the wheels and that all nuts and bolts are properly secure.
Bodywork: The MOT tester will inspect if your vehicle has any signs of corrosion, rust or damage to lights, etc.
Brakes: Brakes are checked during the MOT test and they will inspect if the brakes are working properly and aren’t overheating. The brake fluid is in sufficient amounts as this can sometimes be low due to an overuse of regenerative braking which rechanges the car battery.
Battery condition: The tester will check if the battery can store enough power to turn on the car and run at last four headlamps.
Charging equipment: The tester will check the charging port for any signs of damages or leaks as this can cause slow charging, electric faults or other charging issues.
Seatbelt: This is one of the simple and common safety features most of us ignore. but this little safety feature can become a reason to fail your MOT test if there is a fault or damage in it.
Steering: The tester will check the wheels and tyre suspension to ensure that the car steering is in good condition.
Windscreen: The tester will check the windscreen and look for damages such as any cracks or scratches. They also check if the windscreen wiper is working properly.
Lights: In the MOT test, all lights will be checked by the tester from hazard lights to brake lights and headlights. They will check if the lights are working properly and with the right brightness and effectiveness. If you are unsure about your car light then you can check your lights by yourself and if found any damaged lights then replace them.
The process of booking an MOT appointment for an electric is similar to booking an MOT appointment for a combustion engine car. There is no specific MOT centre for electric cars and they are tested in the same MOT centres where all tyres of cars are tested. As an electric car owner, you need to make sure that your car battery is fully charged and the car is in good condition before reaching the MOT test centre.
Is MOT in An Electric Car Necessary?
Most of us think that an MOT test is performed to ensure that your vehicle is safe for the environment and doesn’t pollute the environment. Because of this people think electric cars don’t have a combustion engine so it doesn’t require an MOT test but this isn’t true. MOT ensure that your vehicle is environmentally friendly and roadworthy as well.
So there are other elements which are checked during an MOT test. During the test, other safety components will be checked to ensure your car is safe to use and protect you from unwanted accidents. If you want higher chances to pass your vehicle MOT test then regular carried out Electrical Repair Luton.