Three tips to keep the cost of your annual MOT down
SORTING out your car if it fails annual safety checks can mean brutal payouts.
But taking a few steps ahead of the yearly MOT, can make all the difference to your bank balance.
Here’s how to put the brakes on your test costs . . .
GET A DATE: You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving without a valid MOT.
If you’re prone to forgetting then sign up for a free text or email reminder a month before its due at gov.uk/mot-reminder.
Garages can often be booked out a couple of weeks in advance so don’t leave it to the last minute. MOT test costs for a car are capped at £54.85 and many garages charge less than this.
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But if you think your car could need some repairs it’s best to find a trusted garage that has good customer reviews.
FAULT PREVENTION: If your car is given a major fault it will fail the MOT and you are not allowed to drive it.
However, many common ones are easy enough to fix ahead of the test and gives you time to shop around for best prices.
Give your car a once over, check every light is working and buy and replace bulbs where necessary.
Also look at the tyre pressure and tread which should be at least 1.6mm.
As a rough guide, you can place a 20p coin into the main grooves to check they are deep enough.
SAVE: £44.99
Cheap treat
GIVE this boxed candle to a loved one and you are sure to make their day – it’s £5 from Sainsbury’s.
What's new?
THE Peppercorn Angus collection has hit Burger King menus this week, including peppercorn crispy chicken and the gourmet peppercorn Angus burger, both selling at £7.99.
Top swap
THE leak-proof Meoky tumbler, £40.15 from Amazon, keeps hot drinks warm for ten hours. Or try the double-wall tumbler, £4.50 from B&M.
SAVE: £35.65
Little helper
ASDA shoppers can get a free hot drink and porridge breakfast at its cafes thanks to Quaker’s Share The Warmth initiative.
Offer valid 8am to noon, until March 20.
Shop & save
TAKE a moment to indulge in a box of Lindt’s Lindor salted caramel truffles, down from £6 to £4 with a Clubcard at Tesco.
SAVE: £2
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