The test itself takes only about 45 minutes and you can choose to either take your car to a centre offering only MOTs, or to a garage who will give if a service and then MOT it. The later has a lot to recommend it as a qualified mechanic can then rectify any fault (s) if it fails and carry out a retest, often at little extra cost.

If car maintenance has been a priority with you throughout the year and you have had your car regularly serviced you are unlikely to face any major shocks at the actual test. You may not have a mechanic´s specialist knowledge, but there are a few basic checks you can do before taking the car, which will ensure it doesn´t fail on some minor thing.

Ensure the car is not filthy dirty underneath , as the garage can refuse to do the test if it is. If there are dents on the car, ensure they are not sharp and could injure a pedestrian.

You can easily check windscreen wipers and washers are working properly and the wash bottle is full. Likewise you can check the horn works properly and seat belts run smoothly and lock properly , especially if they are old and frayed.

Small cracks or chips are allowed on windscreens , if they do not effect the driver´s vision, if in doubt look on the MOT website for precise details of position and sizes allowed.

You can also check that your tyres have sufficient tread on them and that all the lights work and no bulbs need replacing.

Checking such things as brakes, suspension and emissions are usually beyond most owners , but at least this preparation means you will not fail on something you could have anticipated.

While you could take the car to a mechanics to have these checks carried out, it really isn’t worth it.

Car servicing is different altogether from these checks that are easy to carry out, and should really be carried out by a professional unless you are really sure what you are doing.

The main fluid levels that can be checked are engine coolant, screen wash, brake fluid and engine oil.

The engine coolant tank will probably have a min and a max level and the level needs to be kept between these markers.

Screen wash should be kept topped up and is an MOT fail if it is empty.

The brake fluid reservoir has a minimum and maximum marker again, and it is very important that this is checked regularly.

The engine oil level is checked using a dipstick. Remove the dipper and clean off the oil. Put it in again and remove it and check the level. There will be a minimum and maximum marker on the dipper.

The Mobile Mechanic service is a convenient stress free option for car owners at home and at the office, as it removes the need of driving the car to drop it off at the service garage and driving back again picks it up. The service potentially saves the car owner from time wasted in traffic and queuing at the garage. Prices vary and while some mechanics estimate charges according to a set price list, other mechanics may give an estimated quote on request. Costs for parts and labour are competitive, as many mobile mechanics do not even charge a call-out fee; this makes the service a cost-effective alternative.

Good Mobile mechanics are able to conduct repairs, maintenance and servicing on a number of different vehicle models and makes, in a polite manner and within a reasonable amount of time. Mobile mechanics will often be able to travel more than a thirty mile radius in order to attend to the car owner. A power supply near the point of repair will be required in order for the mobile mechanics to complete certain types of work like re-charging and servicing of an air conditioner, while jobs such as welding will require for the vehicle to be parked off road as well as nearby to a power point.

Mobile mechanics are able to carry out a huge range of jobs including MOT repairs, airbag, ABS, replacing shock absorbers, correcting suspension, exhausts, brakes, clutch kits, battery, starter motors, diagnostics, oil and filter replacement, alternators, and even the removal of unwanted cars.