Master the MOT and Come in First

When it comes to passing the MOT, anyone working on courier jobs knows better than anyone how important hitting the mark the first time around is. The repercussions of failure are enormous; not only is having to go through a second test annoying and a waste of time, it’s exceedingly expensive and your vehicle may be forced out of commission for an extended period of time.

Here are some tips on how to master the MOT and make sure that you’re only going through the process once.

Review the Risks

If you’re someone who works on courier jobs, you’ll already be aware that your vehicle goes through a lot more than the average automobile; as you’re driving significantly more miles than most, there’s often much more wear and tear just from daily use. Unfortunately, this makes it a lot easier for a vehicle to fail. In fact, 20% of all courier vehicles on the road don’t pass the first time – and that failure can be financially detrimental. You will risk the incurring the following:

• Loss of profits
• Reduced time on the road
• Reduced productivity
• Loss of money due to expensive repair bills

The Importance of Being Prepared

Fortunately, you don’t need to be scared off by these potential problems. As long as you make sure you’re in the know and ensure you’re prepared. Spending a little extra energy by making sure your vehicle is always well-maintained can potentially save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

So how do you make sure you’re prepared? Start by knowing when exactly your MOT is due to happen – it can be all too easy for it to sneak up on you. To combat this and stay ahead of the game, consider booking an appointment at a garage in advance (and, as backup, make sure you request a reminder a few days before you’re meant to go in).

Regular checks are also imperative when it comes to being prepared for the MOT – try to get in the habit of giving your vehicle a weekly or monthly once over to make sure you have everything you need in place and everything’s running well. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you:

• Your interior should have dash warning lights, rear view and wing mirrors, a horn and secure and release seatbelts.
• Your exterior should have number plates on the front and back, working lights and windshield wipers, tyre treads that are at least 1.66mm and operating door closures from both the inside and outside.
• Under your bonnet, you should have coolant, screen wash and oil.

Yes, it really can be that easy for those working on courier jobs to pass the MOT the first time! Feel free to congratulate yourself once you do – but don’t let that success lead to future failure by slacking off. Between tests, it’s helpful to continue checks throughout the year, service your vehicle annually and make repairs as needed.

Good luck!

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 5,300 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.