UPDATE: The 6 Month Extension is due to end on 1st August 2020, if your MOT is due on or after this date, you need to have your MOT as usual

To help prevent the spread of Covid-19, car, van and motorcycle MOT expiry dates will be extended by 6 months if it’s due on or after 30 March 2020 – but you must keep your vehicle safe to drive.

You must make sure your vehicle is safe to drive and roadworthy. Your car can be unsafe, even if your MOT expiry date has been extended. It is your responsibility to keep your car in a safe condition, regardless of your MOT expiry date.

View our advice on ensuring your vehicle is safe and maintained in a roadworthy condition. If you’re in any doubt, give us a call and arrange for us to check it over for you and sort out any issues you are having.

You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get a minimum of 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

Government advice allows us to stay open throughout the Coronavirus outbreak to ensure that the cars on the Britain’s roads are safe, so we are here if you need us. We have taken social distancing measures so if you need us to look at your car, please call ahead to ensure we know you are coming.

Eligibility

Your MOT certificate will be extended by 6 months if it was due to expire on or after 30 March 2020 and your vehicle is a car, motorcycle, light van. this also includes vehicles that are due their first ever MOT test.

How the 6-month extension works

Your vehicle’s MOT expiry date will be automatically extended by 6 months if it’s eligible. This will be done just before it’s due to expire.

This means that:

1. Your vehicle will still have a valid MOT certificate for an extra 6 months
2. You can still tax your vehicle – you might need to wait to do this until later in the month if both your MOT and tax run out in the same month
3. Your insurance will still be valid
4. Your vehicle’s record will be updated so the police can see you have a valid MOT
5. You will not get a new paper MOT certificate with the new expiry date on it.
6. You must still keep your vehicle safe to drive.

What do you need to do?

Your vehicle’s MOT expiry date will be updated a few days before it was originally due to expire.

1.  Three days before your MOT was originally due to expire, check the expiry date has been extended.
2. If the expiry date has not been extended 3 days before it was due to expire, email covid19mot@dvsa.gov.uk

Include the following details in the email:

1. MOT expiry date
2. vehicle registration number (number plate)

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will then update your vehicle’s record and email you to tell you this has been done

Taxing your vehicle

If your vehicle tax and MOT run out in the same month, you cannot renew your vehicle tax until your MOT expiry date has been extended. It will be extended a few days before it was originally due to expire. So, you might need to wait until later in the month to tax your vehicle.

Check that the MOT expiry date has been extended before attempt to tax your vehicle.

We are still here if you need us.

Although the 6 month extension is in place, you are still responsible for maintaining a safe and roadworthy vehicle, including your tyres, brakes and all other safety systems on the vehicle. If you have any issues, or if you are unsure about anything, we are still open. We are also still taking MOT bookings, if your missed your MOT date before 30th March and need a new MOT we are still taking bookings and we do have testers on site to carry out a valid MOT. If you need one, you can book your MOT online or give us a call.

The car makes and models most likely to pass and fail an MOT

2019 data from the Department for Transport has been released which has been analysed by the insurance company By Miles. The data reveals the car makes and models that are most and least likely to pass an MOT.

With more cars on the road again as lock-down is eased and the 6 month MOT extension in place, there are potentially over 1 million cars on the roads that would not pass an MOT if it were carried out today. Your car might be one of those, if you want peace of mind, you can still get an MOT and book online today.

The Best and Worst Manufacturers

The best five manufacturers

1 Lexus                 93.80%

2 Honda               93.70%

3 Porsche            93.60%

4 Mini                   91.60%

5 Suzuki                91.40%

It is good news if you own a Lexus, Honda or Porsche. All of the top 3 have a pass rate over 93%. Mini and Suzuki round off the top 5, with over 91% of cars passing their MOT.

The worst five manufacturers

1 Renault             82.70%

2 Citroen              84.60%

3 Dacia                 85.80%

4 Vauxhall           85.90%

5 Volvo                 86.20%

The news is less encouraging for Renault drivers with a pass rate under 83% for their vehicles. The worst 5 is rounded off by Citroen, Dacia, Vauxhall and Volvo.

The Best and Worst Models

The best five models

1 Honda Jazz                      95.40%

2 Honda CR-V                     93.40%

3 Toyota Prius                    93.10%

4 Mercedes GLA               92.80%

5 Toyota RAV4                   92.70%

Although a close second in the overall manufactures, Honda have the 2 best models for MOT passes, the Honda Jazz and CR-V lead the pack. The Honda’s are followed by the Toyota Prius, Mercedes GLA and Toyota RAV4.

The worst five models

1 Renault Megane           78.10%

2 Citroen DS3                     81.00%

3 Renault Clio                    81.40%

4 Volvo V40                        83.90%

5 Vauxhall Insignia           84.40%

Renault again fare poorly in the worst models list. The Megane has an MOT failure rate of over 20% (more than 1 in 5), Renault also have the Clio third in the worst models in the UK, with the Citroen DS3 between the Renaults. The worst five is rounded off with the Volvo V40 and the Vauxhall Insignia.

Make and Model Alone Won’t Pass or Fail an MOT

The model and manufacturer of the car alone is not a factor for the passing or failure of an MOT. This data doesn’t tell us why the cars failed their MOT, things like tyre wear, windscreen wipers, fluid levels and light bulbs not working are all reasons for a failure. Regular servicing and maintenance along with carrying out a some simple checks at home will help ensure your car’s roadworthiness and improve the chances of passing an MOT. A well-maintained Renault Megane is more likely to pass an MOT than a neglected Honda Jazz.

At Motorvation our service options start at £79.99, you can book online today.

Sources

https://data.gov.uk/dataset/e3939ef8-30c7-4ca8-9c7c-ad9475cc9b2f/anonymised-mot-tests-and-results

MOT Update: There are potentially over 1 million dangerous cars are on the roads.

Is your car one of the unsafe ones?

Since the coronavirus lock-down came in, a 6-month automatic MOT extension has been applied to all cars with an MOT due after 30^th March (until 1st August 2020). This has been to help those isolating and was put in place to reduce unnecessary travel.

The Negative Side

As lock-down measures begin to ease, roads are getting busier. As more people get moving again, the cars back on the roads include those with the automatic 6-month MOT extension. Considering the volume of MOT test and the failure rates from April 2019 and taking into account the number of MOTs that have been carried out in April this year, the statistics suggest that there could be over 1 million potentially unsafe cars on the UK roads that would fail an MOT if taken today.

Analysis of data from the DVSA, carried out by motorway.co.uk, shows that despite the automatic extension, almost 750,000 MOTs have took place in April this year. That number is only around 20% of the 3.5 million carried out in April last year but it shows that, despite the automatic extension, people are still having their car tested to ensure safety and for their own peace of mind.

MOTs are Available

Savvy drivers are still having MOTs carried out to ensure their vehicle is safe. While you can’t do anything about other cars that have had an automatic 6-month MOT renewal, you can ensure that yours is safe by and ensuring it is well maintained and having an MOT carried out as usual. It might not be a legal requirement, but you will have the peace of mind knowing that your car is safe to drive. We are still offering MOTs and a full range of servicing.

We are still carrying out MOTs and you can book yours online now.

If you are going away for a prolonged period of time or if you are following the government advice during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, then you are probably not using your car. This guide will help you to ensure that you are looking after your car during lock down.

If you can, you should be starting the car at least once a week for around 15 minutes, to help to maintain the battery and engine. There is more to do than just this, keep reading to find out how to make sure that your car is running smoothly when you need to use it again.

Battery and engine maintenance

The easiest way to keep your battery charged is to run your car for around 15 minutes at least once a week. This will re-charge the battery and help keep the engine in good condition by circulating the oil around the moving parts of engine. It is important to allow the engine to run for this long so the battery can properly charge up.

** Please remember to NEVER leave your car unattended with the engine running and NEVER leave the engine running in an enclosed space like a garage.

If for any reason you are unable to run the engine for 15 mins a week, then you can get a mains-powered battery maintainer from somewhere like Amazon. Theses keep your battery topped up but they will not help with engine maintenance.

Brakes

When a car is parked up for a long period with the parking / hand brake on, the brakes can seize. To prevent this, it is a good idea to release the brake and move the vehicle a few metres forward and back about once a week. It is best to do this while running the engine for battery and engine maintenance. You should not leave the parking / hand brake off unless the vehicle is parked on private land with the wheels secured to prevent any chance of the car moving.

Fuel

Topping up with fuel is strongly advised for cars that are parked up for long periods of inactivity. The main reason for doing this is to prevent condensation in the fuel tank. Condensation can cause serious problems over time if it builds up. In addition, if you need to use the car in an emergency, it is ready to use straight away.

Tyres

Before driving the car after a long period parked up, you should check all the tyres pressures to ensure that they are correct. Read our advice on tyre pressures and why having the correct pressure in your tyres is vital for driving safely and efficiently.

Tax, Insurance and MOT

Your car must be insured, have valid tax and an MOT if it is on a road. Even if it is just parked on the side of the road and is not being used. If your MOT was due on, or after, 30^th March 2020 (until 1st August) the MOT date has been automatically extended by 6 months due to the coronavirus. Tax and insurance are unaffected by the outbreak and should be arranged as usual to ensure that your car is legal, even if it is just parked up and not being used for a prolonged period.

The only way you do not need tax, insurance and an MOT is if the vehicle has a valid Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN), is parked on private land and is not being used on the roads. Otherwise, you need all of them to remain legal.

If you have any doubts, give us a call

If you have any doubts about anything mentioned in this article, give us a call and ask for advice on what you should do. If you would like us to take a look at your car, or you would like us to physically take a look at something arrange to drop your car in and we will help you out.

If you are clocking up the miles, you will be going through a lot of fuel. If you want to save yourself some money. If you can make a few changes to the way you drive, it could help to make those savings.

Cut down on hard braking

Look as far ahead as you can to avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration. The more you accelerate, the more fuel you use.

If you keep a good distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, you can adapt your speed when necessary without having to use the brakes and accelerate again.

Change gear earlier

Moving through the gears quicker and driving at lower revs reduces the amount of fuel used so change up a gear at around 2,000 RPM for maximum efficiency.

Tyre pressures

Under-inflated tyres will create more friction with the road which will increase your fuel consumption, increase tyre wear and can be dangerous on the road. So, make sure you check the pressure at least once a month and before any long journeys. You can view our in-depth advice on tyre pressures but if you need any more help, just pop in and we can help out.

Switch off the engine

A lot of newer cars have an automatic engine cut off and restart feature to save fuel. If your vehicle doesn’t switch itself off, then ensure you turn off your engine when you’ve stopped for a minute or more. It will save fuel and lower the amount of pollution that you are producing.

Slow down

Fuel consumption is linked to revs, generally driving faster means higher engine revs. So, fuel consumption will increase the faster you drive so stick to the speed limit and shift to a higher gear as soon as possible.

Air conditioning

Air conditioning uses fuel to power the pump which makes the air cooler. If the air conditioning system is not properly maintained with a regular re-gas and service, the system can become less efficient and increase the amount of fuel that is needed to run it.

You can book an air conditioning re-gas or service with us to help keep your fuel bills down.

Roof boxes

If there is a roof box or roof rack on a vehicle, it will vastly increase drag which means the fuel efficiency will reduce. Any roof racks or boxes should be removed when they are not in use

Check your vehicle is safe to drive

You’re responsible for making sure your vehicle is always roadworthy and safe to drive. It can be unsafe even if you have a current MOT certificate.

You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition. So every time you drive you should be sure that your care is safe and roadworthy.

What you should check

1.          Windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean
2.          All lights work
3.          Brakes work
4.          Engine oil level
5.          Water level in the radiator or expansion tank
6.          Brake fluid level
7.          Battery is working
8.          Windscreen and rear window washer fluid levels
9.          Windscreen wipers are working correctly
10.          Tyres tread depth and condition. See our tyre safety guide for more details

An increasing number of motorists are switching to hybrids as their vehicle of choice. This is, in part, due to the seemly constant rising cost of fuel in the UK, along with the lower carbon emissions in comparison to traditional cars. In the past few years hybrids have become more and more commonplace on the UK’s roads and with advances in technology hybrid vehicles are becoming even more environmentally friendly and more affordable.

One of the key factors in choosing a hybrid is the reduced running costs, however, due to the technology involved, people often think that maintaining hybrid cars is much more expensive. This is simply not the case anymore. Since independent garages, like us at Motorvation Northampton, have been able to invest in the training and equipment required to service hybrid cars, there is now a much more cost-effective alternative to taking your hybrid car back to the dealer for servicing.

At Motorvation we offer a range of services for hybrid vehicles, all of which offer huge savings on taking the car back to the dealer for servicing. If your car is still in its warranty period, we can still service the car without invalidating your warranty.            

So, whether you drive a Toyota Prius, Mitsubishi PHEV, or a Golf GTE, give us a call or drop in and speak to us about our hybrid servicing options and how we can save you money on your hybrid car servicing.

Why is servicing a hybrid car different?

The majority of the mechanical parts of a hybrid car are the same as traditional cars. However, there are a few additional parts and checks on the electrical systems that need specialist training and equipment. So, there is a little more work required when servicing a hybrid car, compared to a traditional car.

Servicing hybrid cars requires extra training and specialist equipment due to the high voltage electrical systems that power hybrid cars. Our highly skilled technicians are qualified to enable them to work safely on hybrid cars and have all of the specialist equipment required to carry out the work safely and to the highest standard.

How often should I service my hybrid vehicle?

You should service your hybrid car in line with the manufactures recommendation. This is generally at the same interval as the equivalent traditional car model in the range, though some manufactures do vary their recommendations, so it is best to check your car’s service book.

Oil

Oil is like the blood in your engine, it keeps everything working properly so checking it is very important and pretty simple. You should be checking at least every two weeks as part of your basic maintenance. Here’s a step by step guide but if you are still unsure of how to check, pop in to us and we will be happy to show you.

1. Ensure that your car is on level ground, not on a slope. switch off your engine wait five minutes before you begin.
2. Open the bonnet of your car and find the dipstick. Pull it out, make a mental note of where it came from as you have to replace it in a second.
3. Use a lint free cloth to wipe the oil from the dipstick, once it is clean look for the marks on the end of the it, there will be a minimum and maximum mark.
4. Checking the oil level is as simple as putting the clean dipstick back in all the way and then pulling it out again, do this slowly and ensure you’ve put it all the way in before pulling it out again. When you look at the markings at the end of the dipstick the oil mark should be between the minimum and maximum marks – if it’s getting close to the minimum, you need to add some oil.
5. If you need to add more oil, make sure you have got the right type of oil for your car, diesels and older engines use different types of oil to modern petrol vehicles, using the wrong oil can cause damage to the engine so if you are unsure then we can advise you if you pop in to see us. To fill up, replace the dipstick and remove the oil filler cap, it usually looks like the image below, but if you are not 100% sure pop in, we’ll be happy to show you. Pour in some oil and wait a few minutes for it to drain into the engine, then re-check the level. Overfilling, is not good for the engine so take your time and be careful.

Fluids

Modern cars have a number of different fluids that need to be checked, depending on you car, you will almost certainly have three or more of the following: brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, coolant and washer fluid. These usually have markers on the reservoirs, so you can see when they are getting low. If any are getting low, top them up with the relevant liquid.

Tyre Tread

The legal minimum tread depth for cars 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and must meet this minimum requirement around the complete circumference of the tyre. 

You should check each of your tyres at least once a month and ensure that your spare tyre, if you have one, also has a legal tread depth. There are there are three ways to do check: The 20p test is an easy and quick way to check that your tyres are within the legal tread depth limit. All you need is a 20p coin. Insert the coin into the tread grooves on the tyre. If you can’t see the band that runs around the edge of the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit.

If any of the band is still visible above the rubber tread, your tyres could be unsafe, give us a call or drop in and we will check them for free to make sure you are safe and legal.

Tyre Pressures

If tyres are inflated under, or over, the recommended pressure it can affect the performance and handling of the car and life of the tyre.

A tyre inflated to the recommended pressure has maximum contact with the road surface to giving optimum performance and means that the tyres will last longer.

Manufacturers have recommendations for the tyre pressures of each of the cars that they produce. The recommended pressures can usually be found in the car’s handbook and sometimes printed inside the petrol cap.

You can check the pressure at a petrol station using the air and water machine, just remove the dust caps from the valve on each tyre, set the desired pressure and attach the air hose, the machine will do the rest.

If you are not sure, then pop in and we can check for you and show you what to do.

Lights

Most modern cars will tell you when one of the main bulbs in your car is not working, but it is always worth checking to see for yourself. This should include headlights, sidelights, rear lights, brake lights, hazard lights and indicators. Brake lights can be a little difficult if you are on your own but can be checked by reversing up close to a wall or flat surface like a garage door and applying your brakes. Using your rear-view mirror, you should be able to see if your brake lights come on and off against the surface. Some bulbs can be tricky to replace but most can be changed quite easily even without mechanical knowledge

Servicing

Unlike an MOT, servicing your car is not mandatory, but the importance of servicing should not be underestimated just because you don’t HAVE to do it. During the recession a few years ago, people were trying to save money by not servicing their cars, this led to breakdown companies having a big uplift in the number of breakdowns, it is no coincidence. So, it is important to ensure you service your car regularly to prevent the chances of breakdowns and improve reliability of your car. We offer a range of servicing options to suit all makes of cars, and they are much more affordable than dealer servicing, get in touch to find out more.

Keep your eyes peeled for our basic maintenance evenings which we will be running periodically. They are free and we will show you the basics checks you should be doing at home to save you money and keep your car going longer.

Now that government advice only to travel when it is essential, the amount of traffic on the roads is much lower than usual. This also means that services like the AA, RAC and other breakdown organisations are running with reduced staffing levels. So, if you get into trouble it might take a while to get things moving again, not to mention the danger of being stranded in your car. Preventing breakdowns could be easier than you think. Follow our advice and it might mean that you avoid a preventable breakdown.

We are open, government advice is that garages like Motorvation are essential in keeping Britain’s cars moving and ensure that vehicles can still be maintained and repaired. So, we remain open for you to keep your car on the road safely. If you have any motoring issues or needs, we’re here.

We have procedures in place to ensure social distancing is maintained, therefore, we ask that if you can, please call and book-in before coming down, this enables us to keep the number of people on site to a minimum and keep everyone safe. We are operating with fewer technicians to help with social distancing and while this this might mean that waiting times are occasionally slightly longer, we will do everything we can to get you back on the road quickly, and more importantly, safely.

Look after your tyres

The most common breakdown causes are punctures or flat tyres. These are usually preventable and the risks can be minimised by having correctly inflated tyres and by checking the tread on your tyres to ensure they are in a good condition. You should be checking your tyres at least once every couple of weeks. Follow our advice on checking your tyre tread and tyre pressures to keep the risks of punctures and blowouts as low as possible, while also prolonging the life of your tyres.

Oil

Oil is like the blood in your engine, it keeps everything working properly so checking it is very important and pretty simple. You should be checking at least every two weeks as part of your basic maintenance routine. If you don’t know how to check your oil levels, there is a step by step guide in our basic maintenance guide. If you are unsure, you can always come and see us and we will be happy to show you how to do it.

Keep your fluids topped up

Modern cars have a number of different fluids that need to be checked, depending on your car, you will almost certainly have three or more of the following: brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, coolant and washer fluid. These usually have markers on the reservoirs, so you can see when they are getting low. If any are getting low, top them up with the relevant liquid. If you run out of any of these fluids it will be an expensive breakdown to repair, so don’t wait to top them up and do it regularly. Again, if you are struggling, give us a call and come down to see us, we can show you what you need to check and how to do it.

Lights

If your any of the lights on your car are not working, your chances of having an accident are vastly increased. While your headlights light the way for you, the other lights on your car warn other motorists where you are or that you are stopping, turning or reversing. If any of those lights are not working, other motorists might not know what you are going to do next.

Most modern cars will tell you when one of the main bulbs in your car is not working, but it is always worth checking to see for yourself. These checks should include headlights, sidelights, rear lights, brake lights, reverse lights, hazard lights and indicators. Brake lights can be a little difficult if you are on your own but can be checked by reversing up close to a wall or flat surface like a garage door and applying your brakes. Using your rear-view mirror, you should be able to see if your brake lights come on and off against the surface. Some bulbs can be tricky to replace but most can be changed quite easily even without mechanical knowledge, if you are struggling, you know where we are, just give us a call and we can help you out or show you how to do it.

Following our advice could help you to prevent a breakdown. If you do find an issue with your car, please give us a call, don’t ignore it. Ignoring a problem could make it worse and your car may not be as safe as you think. If in doubt at all, call us and arrange for us to check it out.

Stay safe, we are here if you need us!

Some drivers want a car that really stands out from the crowd. A loud exhaust, shiny new wheels, a sleek body kit and a big spoiler are all ways to change the way your car looks and sounds. Modifications can also be made under the bonnet to improve the performance of the car. However, there are potential legal issues with making modifications to a car, not to mention the need to inform insurers of any changes.

Implications of Modifications to Insurance

The insurer of the car must be informed of any changes to the car. If the car is involved in an accident and modifications are subsequently discovered the insurance can be deemed invalid. So, they can refuse to pay out and the driver will be left to foot the bill and the police will become involved as the driver has been driving without valid insurance.

Modifications are likely to increase the insurance premiums as they can affect the car’s handling and make it more desirable to thieves. Though it may be tempting not to tell the insurer to avoid paying extra, the result is the same as not having insurance at all, so let them know as soon as the modification is carried out. Ensure you stay safe, legal and insured.

In Car Entertainment (ICE)

The aftermarket in-car entertainment business is booming, just like the speakers they provide! Thousands can be spent on in-car entertainment, a new stereo, sat nav, amp, screens, games console, speakers, sub-woofers and just about anything else you can think of can be put into a car. Just remember, cars aren’t great at keeping sound in. If the car is in a public place and the music is turned up on a large stereo system, it will annoy residents and the public.

Police have the power to seize any vehicle that is causing an annoyance to the public. Though seizing of cars is usually reserved to persistent offenders, it is not unheard of for cars to be seized without warning.

If DVD players, games consoles or screens are fitted, they should not be able to be seen or used by the driver while the car is in motion, for obvious reasons. Distractions can cause serious accidents and if they are found to be in use while a vehicle is being operated it can lead to hefty fines, points, court appearances and driving bans. There are many offences that it could lead to including careless driving, dangerous driving or driving without due care. More importantly, the risk of an accident is greatly increased. If a DVD, TV or similar device is installed, never use it unless parked up safely.

Spoiler

Spoilers are used in motorsport to improve the handling of a car by providing down-force, pushing the car down. However, a road car is much more likely to have an aftermarket spoiler fitted for aesthetic reasons. The car may look ‘sportier’ but wouldn’t really gain any performance enhancement from it, certainly not at the legal speed limits of most UK roads.

When fitted, a spoiler should be securely attached to the car and not have any sharp edges that could cause damage to other cars, pedestrians or cyclists

Tinted windows

Tinted windows are one of the easiest modifications to make to a car. DIY tinting kits can be purchased relatively cheaply and installed with basic instructions. There are laws to they level of tint that can be applied to the windows of a car. The front windscreen must let at least 75% of light through, while the front side windows must let in a minimum of 70% of light. This is to ensure that the driver can see properly in darker conditions. Rear windows and rear windscreens have no restrictions.

If stopped by the police, a driver with window tints that do not comply with the laws may be issued a prohibition notice or issued with penalty notice or court summons. A prohibition notice prevents the car from being driven until the offending tint is removed. The tint film can be removed easily with a little effort and can be done at the roadside. Many police cars carry a device that can measure the amount of light that a tint is allowing through.

Wheels and Tyres

A big set of wheels can really improve the look of a car. It is worth considering that altering your wheels and tyres can greatly affect the handling of a car. As a result, it’s best to only fit wheels and tyres that have been approved by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

When fitting new wheels and tyres, make sure there is acceptable clearance between the bodywork and the tyre. This allows for movement of the suspension and will prevent the tyres from rubbing on any bodywork which could cause the tire to fail.

Wheels and tyres that are deemed dangerous or illegal could land of fine of up to £2500 and 3 points PER TYRE / WHEEL. That means if all 4 are not legal then up to £10,000 fine along with 12 points.

Suspension

Lowering the suspension on car can help to improve the ‘sporty’ look, but the handling will be much stiffer and less comfortable.

Lowering of cars should always be carried out by a mechanic. Never simply remove parts of the suspension to make it lower as this is both dangerous and illegal.

As with changing the wheels and tyres, the clearance around the wheel and tyre needs to be considered to prevent rubbing of the tyre on the bodywork. Tyre rubbing can cause failure of the tyre and could land the driver with up to £2500 fine and 3 points per tyre.

Exhaust

Changing the exhaust system can result in a noisier car. Some big-bore and aftermarket sports exhausts are not legal on UK roads as they are considered a nuisance due to the increased noise.

The catalytic converter on the exhaust system is a legal requirement no matter what exhaust is fitted to a car. It may be tempting to remove the cat to get a little more noise from the car but that will ensure the car fails its MOT and means the car is not roadworthy, so a prohibition notice may be issued for the car if discovered by the police.

Any exhaust which are deemed excessively noisy could receive a £50 fine combined with a prohibition notice to have the car taken off the road until the offending exhaust is replaced.

Engine enhancements

The list of possible engine enhancement is almost endless, depending on the car. From completely rebuilding the engine to changing a few components, extra horse power can be squeezed out of most engines in one way or another.

The legality of each enhancement should be checked to ensure that the car remains both legal and roadworthy. At Motorvation Bedford, we can check and advise you of how to get the most out of your engine and remain on the right side of the law.

Finally, remember…

Making modifications to a car may improve its look or performance, but they should never be made at the expense of safety. The law is there to ensure that cars on the road are safe for the driver, other road users and pedestrians, so please ensure that laws and regulations are followed.

Don’t put aesthetics ahead of safety or legality and tell the car’s insurer of any modification that have been made! If you’re in Bedford and looking to modify your car, give Motorvation Bedford a call, we can help to ensure your modifications are legal and safe for you and everyone else on the road.