Conducting MOT Test In An Electric Car: Is It Required?
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 an MOT test just like combustion engine cars.
The short answer is yes. All cars, whether they run on combustion engines, hybrids, or even electric cars, need to go through the MOT test to drive within the UK.
If your EV is brand new, then you need to wait for three months to get your MOT done. If your electric car is more than three years old, you need to perform an MOT Test in Watford 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 an 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 that fueled 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 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 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 Checked In The MOT Test?
Compared to combustion engine cars that run on petrol or diesel, an electric car MOT test is made to ensure that your EV meets the minimum legal requirements of road laws and is safe to drive on the road. Some of the components which are inspected by the MOT tester in an electric car:
● 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 damage 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 ensure that all nuts and bolts are properly secure.
● Bodywork: The tester will check for any signs of corrosion, rust or damage to lights, mirrors and number plates.
● 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.
● Battery condition: The tester will check if the battery can store enough power to turn on the car and run at least four headlamps.
● Charging equipment: The tester will check the charging port for any signs of damage or leaks as this can cause slow charging, electrical faults or other charging issues.
● Seat belt: 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 to it.
● Steering: The tester will check the wheels and tyre suspension to ensure that the car’s steering is in good condition.
● Windscreen: The tester will check the windscreen and look for damage 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 lights, then you can check your lights by yourself and if find any damaged lights, then replace them.
How To Do My Electric Car MOT?
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. To ensure your EV passes its test, do a Car Service Watford instead.
Is MOT In An Electric Car Necessary?
Most people think that an MOT test ensures that a vehicle is safe for the environment and doesn’t pollute it. Because electric cars don’t have a combustion engine, they don’t require an MOT test, but this isn’t true. MOTs also ensure that a vehicle is environmentally friendly and roadworthy.
So there are other elements which are checked during an MOT test. During an MOT test, other safety components will be checked to ensure your car is safe to use and protect you from unwanted accidents.