Tesla MOT Completed at Our Walsall Workshop
A Tesla came into our Walsall workshop recently for its MOT. Electric vehicles are becoming a much more common sight on the roads around here, and we get asked fairly regularly whether we can test them. The answer is yes. We carry out MOT testing on electric vehicles the same way we do on any other car, and this Tesla was a straightforward booking that went through our ramp without any issues.
An Electric Vehicle MOT Covers the Same Core Safety Points as Any Petrol or Diesel Car
There is a common assumption that electric cars either do not need an MOT or that the test works differently. Neither is true. Once a vehicle reaches three years old it requires an annual MOT regardless of what powers it. The test on an electric vehicle covers brakes, steering, suspension, lights, tyres, bodywork, mirrors, seatbelts and visibility, all the same structural and safety checks that apply to every other car on the road. The one area that does not apply is the emissions test, because there is no exhaust. That part is simply skipped. Everything else is assessed to exactly the same standard.
On this Tesla we checked the brake pads and discs for thickness and condition. We checked the tyres for tread depth, which must be at least 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tread and around the full circumference. We checked all lights front and rear, the condition of the windscreen, the wipers, and worked through the steering and suspension components for play, wear and security. The vehicle came through all of these checks and the MOT was issued without any advisories.
Leaving an MOT Until the Vehicle Is Already Overdue Creates a Legal Problem as Well as a Safety One
An expired MOT means the vehicle is not legally roadworthy. If you are stopped by police or involved in an accident while driving without a valid certificate, you face a fine and your insurance may not pay out. That second point is the one that tends to focus people's minds. Insurers look for reasons to reduce or reject claims, and an expired MOT gives them one. Booking before the expiry date costs nothing extra and avoids all of that.
If the test does flag something, knowing about it early usually means a smaller repair bill. A brake pad that is down to 3mm is a straightforward replacement. Leave it until the pad has worn through to the metal backing plate and it will score the disc as well, which means replacing both the pads and the disc rather than just the pad. The same logic applies to tyres, suspension components and anything else that deteriorates gradually. Catching things early keeps the cost down.
If Your Tesla or Any Other Electric Vehicle Is Due Its MOT, We Can Book You In
At Platinum Vehicle Services in Walsall we carry out MOT testing alongside servicing, brakes, suspension, engine work and general mechanical repairs. We work on a wide range of vehicles including Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Ford and, as this job shows, electric vehicles including Tesla. If your MOT is coming up or you are unsure whether your certificate is still valid, get in touch with us. You can leave a message any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 07970901354 and someone from the team will come back to you as soon as possible. You can also find us and book online at platinumvehicleservices.co.uk.
