Apps and Gadgets to Help Prepare for Your MOT
As you flip over your old fashioned paper calendar, those three little letters are there to greet you…
“MOT”.
There it is, in thick marker pen. Underlined. With a couple of exclamation marks. And a circle drawn round it. It has a knack for appearing out of nowhere, the old MOT test – like an exam you forgot to revise for.
But the days of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best are over, because we live in the future – and computers do everything now! Welcome to the glorious era of apps, smartphones, and fuss-free MOTs!
The apps to get for MOTs
Did you know there are free MOT history apps that let you see your car’s entire MOT past with a few taps? The GOV website has a treasure trove of MOT information, and the data have been opened up to app developers.
And it’s a useful way to help you pass your MOT.
By looking at last year’s MOT certificate, you can see any advisories the examiner noted. They were a gentle warning last year, but they could mean failure this time around.
Free motoring apps like Vehicle Smart for Android or MOT History UK for iPhone let you look into the history of a car (which is useful if you’re buying), and this gives you a checklist of what to prioritise before your MOT. Some of these apps contain help and advice on passing your MOT, too.
There are loads of maintenance and service tracker apps, too – like Custodian. It works like a digital logbook. You pop in your vehicle details, and then log every bit of TLC you give it – oil changes, new tyres, bulb replacements, the lot.
When MOT comes, you can review the last year at a glance. It helps you build a complete picture of your car’s health and proves you’re a diligent owner, which is never a bad thing! These apps can even be set to send you reminders for upcoming services, MOTs, or tyre checks – so no more excuses.
Geeky car gadgets that give you the inside scoop
Now, let’s get our hands on some proper tech – starting with an OBD2 scanner. For the uninitiated, that’s the On-Board Diagnostics port that lives somewhere near your steering column. And it’s been hiding a world of secrets from you.
You can buy a simple Bluetooth OBD2 dongle and plug it straight in. Pair it with a user-friendly app on your phone, and suddenly your car’s talking to you! Well, not literally. This isn’t Knight Rider. But you’ll get a firehose of data about everything your car has sensors for. And as it turns out, that’s a lot of things.
The scanner can read your car’s emissions sensor data, allowing you to check if the oxygen sensors and catalytic converter are working.
If the dreaded engine management light is on, the scanner will pull the specific fault code. It might tell you it’s something minor, or something more serious – but either way, you’re informed, and can sort it sooner rather than later.
Tyre tools for MOTs
Tyres are the second most common reason for MOT failures.
A digital tyre tread depth gauge is a tiny investment (okay, maybe not as tiny as the old 20p trick) that gives big returns. It gives you a precise, undeniable measurement in millimetres, so you’ll know for certain whether your tyres are sailing through or skirting dangerously close to the 1.6mm legal limit.
Pair it with a good quality digital tyre pressure gauge, because correctly inflated tyres not only help you pass the MOT test but also improve fuel efficiency and tyre life – making your car safer and cheaper to run.
Pre-MOT tech for pre-MOT checks
- Check your MOT history (in an app or on the GOV website)
- Review last year’s advisories and make them your primary targets
- Fire up your maintenance tracker app – is your service history up to date?
- Use an OBD2 scanner and do a full scan – clear any minor ones that you’ve fixed and see if any serious ones return
- Check every single light on the car – indicators, headlights, fog lights, brake lights, and number plate lights. Pro techy tip; propping your phone up to record a video while you operate the controls can make this a one-person job!
- Get your digital tread depth gauge and check each tyre in multiple places. Use your tyre pressure gauge to check inflation is right for your car’s load and tyre type.
Remember – these apps and gadgets don’t help you cheat the system; they simply help you and your car to pass the MOT. But they’ll also save you worry, money, time, and effort in the long run!
Book your MOT now
Make your MOT test booking today, with We Only Do MOTs. We promise to provide an impartial, independent MOT to everyone – and will carry out most minor repairs for free.
Send your message to enquiries@onlydomots.co.uk or call us on 023 8064 7180
