1	Side Lights	Front and rear	Clean if dirty check all lenses for cracks or chips, don't forget the number plate lights (rear).
2	Head lights	Main beam and dip beam	also check aux lights, driving lights etc for cracks
3	Hazard warning	front rear	also check the speed and repeaters on front wings or mirrors.
4	indicators	front rear	check also the repeaters
5	Windscreen	Front	For cracks or chips (any chips repair as soon as possible) See bottom of page
6	Wiper blades	Front and (rear if fitted)	Check rubbers for perishing or splits. also check headlight wipers if fitted
7	Windscreen washers	front and rear	Check spray pattern reaches centre and top of screen
8	Brake lights	Rear and( high level if fitted)	Check brightness if one is dimmer than the other replace bulb or check the bulb is fitted correctly
9	Fog lights	front and rear	front are optional on most cars but rear must work. remember to switch them off after check.
10	Horn	Is it loud enough
11	Doors	All	check that you can open all doors from inside and outside and all catches work properly
12	fuel filler cap		Filler cap must seal an emergency one is no good for MOT
13	Mirrors	wing, door and rearview	check for cracks replace if needed, see tip at bottom of page.
14	Seatbelts	All	check for frayed or damaged belts, check all belts recoil and all buckles fasten and undo
15	hand brake	Travel	Check the travel in the lever you should only hear 3 or 4 clicks when you pull it up, any more adjust
16	Foot brake	Travel	If pedal is spongy or has exessive travel see reasons below. and what to do.
17	Seats	All	Check all fixings loose fixings on seats are a fail.
18	Steering	Play	Move steering wheel from side to side while watching front wheels If there is a delay, see bottom of page For power steering check with engine running.
19	Bodywork	All	check for sharp edges missing trim and the evil RUST.
20	Tyres	All	Check tread even the spare and pressures See more on the Tyres page

Windscreen	Mirrors	Steering
Chips or cracks in the windscreen directly in front of the driver, in the area swept by the wiper blades, are acceptable if they are less than 10mm in diameter. A 5p piece is a good guide In the rest of the swept area, up to 40mm diameter damage is acceptable.	Secure Visible from the driver's seat Not distorted or damaged so as to impair the driver's view of the rear. TIP Broken Door mirrors can be expensive to replace a stick on mirror is available that you stick over the broken one. Available at most good parts stores.	Reasons for play in the steering can be many. 1 Track rod ends worn. 2 Steering rack worn or badly adjusted 3 Universal joints in steering system worn or loose. 4 Balljoints in suspension 5 Steering wheel loose or not fitted correctly.