All vehicles need regular inspections to make sure they are safe to use on the roads. For taxis, private-hire vehicles and other high-mileage professional drivers, it is even more important that your vehicles are well maintained.
Roadworthiness
When a private vehicle becomes three years old, a Ministry of Transport test is required to keep it on the road. These inspections are carried out annually by government-approved mechanics and experts.
Taxi and private-hire vehicles are required to undergo MOTs as part of their local authority licensing, which includes having the correct taxi insurance in place. Checks include vehicle safety and emissions.
Unlike private vehicles, a taxi or PHV must undergo an MOT inspection more frequently and as often as required by the authority it is licensed by. This could be from 12 months from the date it was first registered, to every six months, depending on the mileage covered and the requirements of the licensing authority.
A taxi or PHV with an expired or failed MOT test cannot be driven on the roads. A valid MOT certificate is required to tax a vehicle, and drivers could face prosecution including a fine and a ban for driving without an MOT and taxi insurance.
Stricter standards
As well as the standard MOT tests carried out on private vehicles, taxis and PHVs face additional, more rigorous checks to help keep passengers and other road users safe.
These include vehicle cleanliness, bodywork condition, licensing badges and any other required signs. For public-hire taxis, checks are also carried out to ensure that the meter is functioning properly.
One of main reason for MOT failures is a vehicle’s lights. The inspection covers everything from headlights and brake lights, to indicators and number plate illumination, and it is easy to get caught out.
Inspectors also test a vehicle’s brakes, including components such as pads, callipers and discs, as well as the steering system to ensure it is fully functional.
They also check that doors, boots and bonnets can be opened and properly secured.
Seatbelts must be in full working condition and there are strict guidelines for the depth of tread on tyres.
All windows and mirrors must be in good condition and having damaged or ineffective windscreen wipers — or an empty screen wash reservoir — can lead to an MOT fail.
The advice is that as soon as you notice issues, address them straight away, whether it is replacing a cracked or chipped windscreen, or damaged wipers.
While a vehicle has to be mechanically up to standard, drivers must also look after the bodywork. As well as checking for corrosion and rust, any sharp edges that could cause injury could lead to a fail.
Helping yourself
Drivers are responsible for ensuring their vehicle is safe and roadworthy at all times. This is even more important for professionals such as taxi drivers, who could risk their livelihood if their vehicle is taken off the road or they are prosecuted for presenting a danger to others.
As well as keeping up to date with regular maintenance and servicing, taxi drivers can avoid issues during an MOT inspection by keeping on top of simple tasks themselves.
This includes making sure wipers work correctly, checking tyre pressure and tread depth, and ensuring that fluid levels such as screen wash and coolant are at the correct levels.
Checking lights can also avoid the hassle of an MOT fail and many bulbs can be replaced easily and cheaply ahead of an inspection.
As well as keeping your vehicle clean for passengers, windscreens and windows must allow full visibility and a dirty or obscured number plate can also lead to an MOT fail.
All mirrors should be intact and clean and an inspector will also check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to ensure it matches the log book.
By keeping on top of regular servicing and maintenance, and addressing issues as they crop up, taxi and PHV drivers can present their vehicle for its MOT inspection with the confidence that everything is working as it should be.
Being familiar with all the systems on your vehicle, even if you can’t fix it yourself, you become aware of issues and are able to address them before they become an issue during your next MOT test.
