The MOT is often a worry for some car owners. The potential for something to be discovered that costs a fortune to repair always lingers. If you keep your car in good condition and keep to its service schedule, you should have no reason to worry that your car may fail its Jaguar MOT.
At Roberts County Vehicles, we have years of experience in helping Jaguar owners drive their cars in the safest possible condition. So, if you are ready for yours to be checked over, get in touch and book a Jaguar service or MOT today. Then read this guide to see exactly what is checked on your Jag come the day of an MOT; we’ll also cover when you should be getting it done so you don’t miss out on keeping your car compliant!
How often should I get my Jaguar MOT’d?
If you have purchased a brand-new Jaguar, you will not need to have it taken for an MOT for the first three years of ownership. However, once your car is three years old, it becomes a legal requirement to book an annual Jaguar MOT. There are plenty of garages that offer such a service, and whilst many work on all car types, it is often beneficial to choose a specialist for your particular marque. That way, you get full professional treatment from people who deal with your make of car every day.
If your Jaguar was purchased as a used model, you should check when the next MOT is due, so you don’t fall foul. You can do this by checking the vehicle paperwork or checking on the government website.
You should never drive a Jaguar that does not have a valid MOT unless you are driving the vehicle to its MOT appointment.
How much does a Jaguar MOT cost?
Prices may vary depending on where you take your Jaguar for its MOT but there are rules in place to stop service centres charging unreasonable amounts. The current maximum allowable charge for an MOT in 2023 is £54.85. No VAT is added to this cost. It could rise in 2024 though so keep an eye out on announcements from the government.
What will get checked on a Jaguar MOT?
Once booked in, your Jaguar will be subjected to potentially 150 different checks, largely focused on emissions and safety. It can take a few hours for the Jaguar MOT experts to work through your MOT, so in some cases, you might want to organise a journey home via public transport whilst you wait. Some centres have a waiting room that you are welcome to use whilst your car is being tested.
The checks can be quite complex, but we have listed below a selection of what you can expect to see tested on your Jaguar during the time of its MOT.
Interior checks for Jaguar MOT
You can expect to see the following interior checks, among others, carried out on your Jaguar.
- Seats and seat belts
- Warning lights
- Steering wheel and steering column
- Doors, mirrors and horn
- Brake controls
- Speedometer
Exterior checks for Jaguar MOT
When the MOT tester has finished checking the interior of your Jaguar, they will test various features of its exterior. This will include, among other things:
- Registration plates
- Indicators and hazard lights
- Wheels and tyres
- Doors, boot, and bonnet
- Stop lights, fog lights, and reflectors
- Mirrors, fuel cap, and wiper blades
- Shock absorbers
- General condition of bodywork
Under the bonnet checks for Jaguar MOT
A lot is going on under the bonnet of any vehicle, so it is only right that your MOT tester checks it over to make sure your Jaguar is safe to drive and that the parts are not faulty. These checks will include, among other things:
- Braking systems
- Exhaust systems
- Steering and power steering components
- Suspension components
- Vehicle structure
Under the vehicle checks for Jaguar MOT
With the interior, exterior and under the bonnet checked, your MOT tester will then look under the vehicle for a variety of things. The tests in this section will include, among other things:
- Wheel bearings
- Wheels and tyres
- Brake systems and components
- Fuel system and tank
- Exhaust system
- Suspension and shock absorbers
- Steering
- General structure
Following the tests on all of these parts, the engineer will also look to test the emissions of your vehicle to see that they are safe and match what they should for your Jaguar.
Is my Jaguar exempt from MOT?
In some cases, you may not even have to book your Jaguar in for an MOT. Rules issued by the government in 2018 state that if your Jaguar is a ‘classic vehicle’ it could be exempt from an MOT.
Jaguars, and other cars, that were first registered more than 40 years ago are exempt from an MOT unless they have undergone what is classed as a substantial change. This change could include the chassis, the engine, or the axle. In addition, if the car is a kit car, registered as a “Q” plate or a reconstructed classic car, it will still need an MOT.
To perhaps add a little more confusion, some of these changes may have been carried out for specific reasons that may then categorise them as acceptable changes. When this happens, the vehicle becomes exempt from an MOT.
So if you have an original E-type, the days of MOTs are long gone!
Preparing your Jaguar for an MOT
Your Jaguar is about to go through some pretty stringent testing and when faults are discovered, they can cost a lot to repair. There are some things you can do that can help prevent an MOT failure and help secure an MOT pass for your Jag.
Many things, of course, will only be spotted by a trained professional but these small things you do in advance can help greatly.
Clean your reg plate
Now this isn’t a safety feature but having your licence plate clear enough to read is part of the MOT. Turning up with one that is illegible is the first cross in a box you should be getting a tick in. In addition, whilst making sure your plates are gleaming, give the vehicle a clean inside and out, some testing centres have been known to refuse to work on a car that is filthy inside and out!
Test your lights
Lights play a huge role in road user safety and as a result, faulty lights can play a huge part in failing the MOT. Using a housemate, spouse, or friend, have them stand outside of the car and watch as you operate each light. They can then inform you of any that are not working. At the same time, check your windscreen wipers too.
Tyre tread
Another safety feature that could see a failure and a costly replacement is your tyre tread. A simple test with a 20p coin can give you the answer you need to know. Your tread must be at least 1.6mm deep to be road legal, stand a 20p in the tread and if the outer edge is covered, your tread is approximately 2mm.
Fluids, horns and mirrors
Finally, before heading to the test centre, check all fluids are sufficiently topped up. Brake fluid and screen wash are extremely important. Then check that your mirrors are nice and secure, clean and not cracked. Give your horn a push to make sure it sounds loud and clear and then you are more or less ready to go. Just double check your VIN on your bodywork matches your vehicle documents and you are good to go!
Remember, driving without a valid MOT is illegal and can see fines, bans, and insurance policies invalidated! Contact RCV today to get your Jaguar MOT booked in and remain confident that your Jaguar remains safe on the road. We are the Kent Jaguar specialists that also work on Range Rovers and Land Rovers with highly trained technicians working to manufacturers’ service schedules and using their latest diagnostics, we ensure your Jaguar or Land Rover is in the safest possible hands. We also offer wheel and tyre alignment for your Jaguar should you need it!