Sovereign Motor Engineers: Mot Tonbridge
Sovereign Motor Engineers is an MOT test centre providing MOT’s to the people of Tonbridge for over ten years. SME is a local garage that offers various services, including car diagnostics, servicing, and a full MOT test. The team has grown from just one man to more than 20 mechanics! This means that they can now accommodate all your needs with their professional expertise and service excellence.
How much does it cost to have my MOT done?
The MOT cost is just £54.85 at Sovereign Motor Engineers in Tonbridge, Kent
What makes a trustworthy MOT centre?
A trustworthy MOT test centre has a reputation for being fair and honest. At Sovereign Motor Engineers, the team believes that customers deserve to have a transparent experience. They will always provide you with all the information about your car’s MOT test and any other work or services needed.
How To Book My Car In For An MOT Test?
Give us a call, and we will get your vehicle registration number to book your MOT with us. Then we can arrange a time so you can turn up at our MOT testing station.
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Drive Safely, Choose SME Tonbridge MOT!
Choosing the right MOT centre is crucial for your vehicle’s longevity and your safety, and SME MOT in Tonbridge Kent ensures both. From extensive reviews to candid advice, we strive to provide transparent and reliable service. Explore a range of items and services we offer, and find the one that suits your needs. Our engaging video content provides insights into our process, allowing you a sneak peek into the meticulous checks and balances we perform. We’re here to offer personalized solutions based on your preferences and requirements. Rest assured, every piece of advice and service is tailored to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and secure.
When is my vehicle MOT test due?
There are a few ways to check this. You can use the VOSA website as well; this will show your valid MOT and the MOT expiry date, past MOT failures if there is any, plus if you have your logbook, you can see who the last MOT testing centres were. Click here to find out when you are due,
If you don’t want to check your MOT test online, give us a call, and we can tell you instantly over the phone, and we will be able to tell you if you have a valid MOT test certificate or not.
What is an MOT?
This is a common question that we get asked, and it is a legal requirement in the UK for all vehicles that are over three years old to have an MOT. There are sometimes exemptions, but this will depend on if you own your car or lease it. An MOT is simply a test to make sure your vehicle is roadworthy and safe and give you a good idea of the state of health for your car. It’ll show any advisories which we found with it and will be presented on your MOT test certificate, but these are not necessarily problems that need repair straight away.
When and how often do your car need an MOT?
You don’t need an MOT if your car is less than three years old, then after that, the MOT is due every year. You can visit the Gov website to see when your MOT is due, but we are also happy to help you out if it’s not showing up.
How long is a Car MOT valid for?
The MOT is valid for 12 months, and in some cases, if you take your MOT tests early can be up to 13 months.
Can you MOT your car early?
You can MOT your car early, up to 1 month minus a day, and still retain your anniversary MOT date. This is a great habit to get into, and if you get your car tested early, you will never have to worry about getting an appointment, especially when most cars are due to mot in April and September, so beat the rush and get organised.
Do I need to have an MOT?
Yes, it’s required by law to have a certificate if the car is more than three years old.
Can I still drive if my MOT has expired?
No. It is the law to have an MOT, and if the MOT has expired, you can’t drive. Don’t risk it as firstly it is a fine of up to £1,000, if the police do pull you over, it will be on the spot fine of £100 and decide to take you to court if the first fine is not paid. The fines are not good, but more importantly, you do not know if your car is safe to be on the road. Don’t take the risk; otherwise, you could be risking not just your life but someone else’s.
For example, a common fault with car tyres, and sometimes you can’t see the inner edge is down to the wire, which can cause, at worst, a blowout. So call SME in Tonbridge Kent today to get your car in.
Do I need to take anything to my MOT?
The only thing you need to bring with you when testing your vehicle is the keys! Also, you won’t need to bring your previous mot certificate as mot test centres use the DVSA database, which is a government service that will show us the previous mot tests.
The MOT centre will get your vehicle information up from the DVSA database, which tells us everything we need to MOT your car, including existing MOT details.
How long does an MOT take on average?
The average MOT, which is for class 4 vehicles and small vans, takes around 45 minutes to an hour.
We are located in the centre of Tonbridge, so if you don’t want to take a seat in our waiting room, you can take a walk up the road, and you have the high street at your disposal.
What is Class 4 MOTs?
This is the standard MOT that most vehicles that have no more than eight passenger seats. This can include taxis, private hire cars, motorhomes, campervans, motor caravans, and small vans up to 3,000kg.
Is insurance valid if my MOT runs out?
If your vehicle is due an MOT, it’s important to get the car booked in before the existing MOT runs out so that you can continue driving legally, so your insurance will be invalid.
What's Included in an MOT?
The annual MOT includes various checks to ensure the safety of your vehicle. This can include a check on all lights, including brakes and indicators, and checking there are no leaks and so much more. The list below a comprehensive list of what is in a mot check.
Vehicle Identification Number
The MOT test checks that the Vin, called the Vehicle Identification Number, is present and legibly displayed on your vehicle.
The VIN is a unique code that includes numbers and letters. The location of the Vin varies from one manufacturer to another, but it’s typically found on the dashboard or in front of your windshield.
Registration plate
The car registration plate will be check for its overall condition, make sure it is fitted securely, and the plate is legal, with the letters being correctly spaced and must meet certain criteria to pass and get a new mot certificate.
Steering and suspension
Your car’s steering and suspension system are not only responsible for the way your car feels but also for how safe it is. A tester will make sure that all of the parts are in good condition and that the ball joints and steering rack are not loose making sure it is safe to drive, will check for excessive play in the steering wheel.
Wipers and the washer bottle
The MOT tester will check wipers and the washer bottle. The wipers are crucial to keeping your windshield clear of debris, so a failure could mean major visibility issues on the road. Washer fluid is key for maintaining a clean windshield as well, so you want to make sure it’s full before you head out. This one of the most common MOT checks is a common failure, so make sure you top your fluid up.
Windscreen
When your car is being MOT, they will check your windscreen for any cracks or chips. It’s important to keep in mind that a chip at the base of your windscreen could indicate potential structural damage, so you’ll want to get it repaired as soon as possible. Windscreen glass, if it fails, can hold up everything, so if you have a crack, then get it fixed before the mot; otherwise, you won’t be able to drive the car until it is rectified.
Car Lights
A car’s headlights, sidelights, and brake lights are the most important car safety features. It is crucial to make sure that they work properly before you drive in the dark.
Common faults with the lights are 9/10, just a bulb, rare for it to be an electrical wiring issue. If you are concerned, call us, and we will be happy to look.
An MOT tester will check your Car Lights for any malfunctions or defects with these parts of your vehicle’s lighting system. If there are problems found during an MOT test, it can be an MOT failure.
Also, will all mot stations will check your headlight aim. This headlamp aim check is a simple test making sure the beam is not pointing anywhere it shouldn’t
So always check your lights nothing worse than failing because of a bulb and coming back for a partial retest.
Seats
A car seat is the most important part of your safety on the road. You spend a lot of time in it, so it’s only reasonable that you want to know that it will keep you safe if an accident happens. The mot tester will check your seats and make sure they are in good condition for any type of crash or impact. They’ll also inspect them for wear and tear, the potential damage from insects or other passengers and more!
Seatbelts
A seatbelt is a belt or strap that goes over your shoulder and across the top of your chest. It’s designed to protect you in case of an accident by holding you in place so that you don’t get thrown around.
The person on the mot test will check your seatbelts to make sure they are safe. They will check for wear and tear and seatbelt load limiter, and the seatbelt pre tensioner seats.
Emissions
MOT check the car exhaust Emissions, and if it is below the legal limit, then it’s all good. But what if your emissions are too high? This can have a massive impact not just on fuel consumption, engine performance and overall health of your vehicle and the world. If the car fails, the mot testers might be able to give you some indication of the issue. If not, you will need to book the car back in for car diagnostics and get a vehicle repair.
Once fixed, you can book your mot and finally get your mot certificate. And yes, diesel cars are also checked, diesel car emissions are check slightly differently, but they are checked.
Horn
The mot tester will check the horn for safety. The horn is a vital part of any vehicle and ensures that you are seen on the road. If it’s broken or not working properly, then you could be in danger while driving. This is another common car failure; take just a second to see if it is working. If it is not, get your car back to the garage before the test and get it fixed.
Fuel system
The MOT testing centre will check the fuel system for any leaks and check the fuel cap is fitted properly and seals correctly. Any signs of a leak, you will not get a valid mot certificate and once rectified, you would need a retest at the same test centre.
Car Doors
On the mot test, they will check your doors, making sure they open and close as they should, also that both your front doors can open from inside the car as well. A simple test, but again, if you have a broken handle, get it fixed before you take it to mot garages.
Bodywork
The vehicles main structure and body shell are looked at during a mot test, checking for excessive corrosion or potential damage to a specific area of the car. If there are any sharp edges, this can lead to a mot failure. These repairs are not easy to cost because of the unknown; you don’t know the damage until the metal is stripped back. As a consumer, it is harder to compare prices for this type of work.
Wheels and tyres
The Mot tester will check the car’s wheels and tyres, checking their overall condition, tread depth, tyre size to make sure they are fitted correctly. This is the most common failure, so check this before you book your mot, and if you need them replaced, get them done ASAP. Also, if your tyre pressure monitoring system light is on, this is a failure.
Brakes
On the test day, the brake efficiency will be checked and will have the cars braking performance tested on the brake roller. Also, a visual inspection of the brakes will be carried out, so if they are low, they won’t pass.
Mirrors
The most important part of any car mirrors because you need them to see behind you. That’s why it’s so important that they work properly. The MOT tester will check your mirrors for defects that could affect visibility while driving.
MOT & Service
Why not combine the two and reduce your time at the garage. This is a great way to save money. If they find anything on the service, you can get the car back on the road quickly as your car is already there for service and mot, so why not book your mot services and get the full test with us today.
Is the MOT certificate Digital?
MOT certificates are now digital. It’s a great way to keep track of all your cars and trucks, as well as making sure they’re safe for the road, simply visit the Gov website and you can see when your mot is due, the previous mot and advisories, plus with your logbook, you can see who the last garage who mot’d your car.
Do the government remind me?
No, they do not send mot reminders. That’s on you, and It’s your responsibility to check your vehicle MOT, so make sure to keep a reminder in your calendar!
You Have a Valid MOT Test Certificate
So you have a valid MOT test certificate, and you’re good to go. Just set a reminder that in 12 months, you will need to come back for new tests. So don’t forget you can book your test early. At SME, we promote customers getting their mot test done early at our mot test centres because there is nothing worse than forgetting,
Road safety is so important, whether it is your first MOT or 10th, as you would drive your family in the car knowing there is an issue. So always make sure you take road safety seriously.
Mot Test Centre In Tonbridge Kent
Auto services Since 2010
Book your car with us today as we offer a range of services to suit your needs. Mot prices are £54.85 for all cars, which is a great price when you compare prices.
We also provide a range of other services such as brakes, tyres, exhausts and more! If your car does fail, we are a repair centre too, so we will give you no-obligation repair costs.
Give us a call today, and simply tell us your vehicle registration, and we can tell you when your next mot is and when the existing expiry date is, so you can get your car in early.
Sovereign Motor Engineers Mot Test Centre is a garage that’s particularly special to its loyal customers that come back to the same garage. Every year, these clients return there for their annual MOTs and other car care needs – whether it be an engine repair or something as simple as a puncture in the tyre. They know they can always rely on Sovereign Motors’ expert staff knowledgeable about all types of cars and have decades of experience under their belts!
Every time you need your vehicle looked at by professionals with years of experience behind them, head over to Sovereign Motor Engineering Ltd.’s MOT centre, where our technicians will get everything back up-to-date before you know it.
Where in Tonbridge wells are you located?
Sovereign Motor Engineers are located off vale road in Tonbridge, which is just off the A26. If you come on to vale road of the A26 you will bend round to the left which is Sovereign Way. We are positioned on the right-hand side just after the river medway.