Knowing the significance of quality tyres and the MOT test in the UK

 

We are living in an era where we are witnessing great innovation being adopted in the automobile industry. Whether it is the onset of electric vehicles or driverless cars, this industry has shown a lot of promise. Having said that, there are some basics of the automobile domain that can never change. No matter how much innovation is being used in car manufacturing, the key to a good driving experience depends on its safety standards. When we think about safety and performance, there are many important components, such as the engine, build structure and other safety features, that come to the forefront. While there is no doubt that these components are significant, little do we know that car tyres play a vital role in securing the vehicle to a great extent. Investing in good-quality tyres might have been an afterthought for drivers, but it is a huge reason behind the absolute safety and performance of a vehicle. In this article, let us explore the benefits of using a high-quality tyre and also learn about the MOT test, which is crucial for safety standards in the UK.

The fundamental function of a tyre is to provide traction, balance and friction that grips the road. It is this grip that helps to accelerate, stop and turn the car on the road. Tyres are manufactured using rubber compounds and have tread patterns on them. One of the main benefits of using high-grade tyres is that the rubber compound used during production is of advanced standards. It also has tread patterns designed in a way that maximises the contact pitch on the road. Further, vehicles are expected to perform well in all types of weather conditions, and to achieve this, having the right quality tyres is essential. High-quality tyres are formulated in a way that they can resist severe cold weather and remain flexible. It can also resist extreme heat temperatures by preventing softening of the tyres. 

There are many vehicles that use low-quality tyres, which results in hardening of the tyres in quick time. This leads to the loss of the vehicle’s grip on the road significantly, making the vehicle less reliable, especially on uneven and wet surfaces. Therefore, risking someone’s life on the road or the lives of the occupants of the car due to the poor tyre quality is never a good thing. There are many benefits of using genuine quality tyres; for example, it helps in influencing the braking system. A car fitted with top-quality tyres can stop much faster as compared to a car fitted with low-quality tyres. This safety enhancement is especially realised during an emergency situation when a car suddenly needs to come to a halt. Moreover, using premium-quality tyres would make sure you need to visit the service centre for car repairs Leicester on a regular basis. This is because with good-quality tyres, all components of the car tend to function properly without much exertion.

Now that we have a fair idea of the benefits of fitting high-end tyres to our vehicle, let us know about the MOT (Ministry of Transport) test in the UK.

What is an MOT test, and why is it important in the UK?

In the UK, any vehicle more than 3 years of age needs to undergo the MOT test. It is a process where the car safety features are measured and checked against specific parameters. Besides checking the safety of the car, the MOT test checks the roadworthiness and inspects if the car meets the environmental standards or not. If the vehicle fails the test, it will not be allowed to be driven on the road until the listed concerns are resolved and a valid certificate is obtained. There are a series of checks done on the vehicle during the MOT test that includes checking the exhaust emissions, responsiveness of the suspension and steering, and the functionalities of the braking and clutch system. Additionally, it checks the seat belts and lights of the car. The MOT test Leicester is conducted by a knowledgeable and qualified tester who inspects the safety aspects of the car thoroughly. In case the vehicle fails the test, a list of problems found is shared with the owner. Since the MOT test is a legal requirement, the owner must fix the issues before taking the car on the road again.

Conclusion

Driving a vehicle in the UK comes with responsibilities. One should understand that driving from one place to another safely does not only include the safety of your car. Safety also includes the pedestrians and other vehicles present on the road. Using the top-quality tyres for your car is a small yet significant step towards being a responsible driver in the UK. On the other hand, besides carrying the car registration and insurance documents, one should also have a valid MOT test certificate. It is an important test that falls under a legal requirement for all vehicle owners in the UK. Having good-quality tyres installed and driving with the MOT certificate ensures peace of mind, which is essential for any driver.