MOT – Northfield

At Northfield Car Care Centre, we carry out Class 4 MOTs on all makes and models, including hybrid and electric vehicles, in two dedicated testing bays that allow us to test two vehicles side by side.

We are a family-run, RAC approved garage, so if your car needs any work to pass, you will hear from us with a confirmed price before anything is carried out.

Vehicles covered by a Class 4 MOT

Class 4 is the most common MOT class and applies to:

• Cars and passenger vehicles with up to eight passenger seats
• Motor caravans
• Light goods vehicles up to 3,000kg design gross weight, such as smaller vans
• Taxis and private hire vehicles with up to eight passenger seats
• Dual-purpose vehicles and quad bikes

When is your MOT due?

Your car needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of its registration, and every year after that. You can have the test up to one month minus one day before your current certificate expires and still keep the same renewal date, which gives you flexibility when booking. Click here to find out when your MOT and tax are due for renewal.

Driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, although you are allowed to drive to a pre-booked test.

What the MOT inspection checks

The test assesses whether your vehicle meets the legal safety and environmental standards. Key areas include:

• Brakes, including performance, condition, and the handbrake
• Steering and suspension components
• Tyres and wheels, including tread depth and condition
• Lights, indicators, and reflectors
• Seatbelts, seats, and doors
• Exhaust, fuel system, and emissions
• Windscreen, wipers, washers, and mirrors
• Body structure, including corrosion in key areas
• Registration plates, horn, and vehicle identification number

The MOT does not assess the condition of the engine, clutch, or gearbox, which is why it should not be treated as a substitute for regular servicing.

How MOT results are graded

Any faults found are recorded under one of the following categories:

Dangerous: an immediate risk to road safety. The car fails and should not be driven until it is repaired.

Major: a fault that could affect safety or the environment. The car fails and must be repaired.

Minor: no significant effect on safety. The car passes, but the issue should be repaired as soon as possible.

Advisory: something to keep an eye on, such as tyres approaching the legal limit.

What happens if your car fails

If your car fails, our team will explain each defect in plain terms and call you with a price for the repairs. Because we carry out MOT repairs in our own workshop, the work can usually be completed on site. If your car stays with us and is retested within 10 working days, there is no charge for the partial retest.

Why choose us for your MOT

• Two MOT bays side by side, including an automated test lane, so your test fits more easily around your day
• Confirmed pricing before any repair work, with nothing carried out without your approval
• Snap-on and Autel diagnostic equipment for tracing faults quickly and accurately
• The option to combine your MOT with a service in a single visit
• A family-run garage established in 1998, trusted by customers from Bartley Green, Weoley Castle, Shenley Fields, and beyond