March 31, 2020

Uncategorized

Car MOT Guidance during COVID 19 Pandemic

Belmont MOT are currently open and will endeavor to stay open whilst our staff are showing no obvious signs of being unwell. If you are a keyworker, we thank you for your efforts, we feel the least we can do is make sure we are here in case you need your vehicle needs fixing.

The Government have sent us guidance on staying open during this current crisis, I will list the important points below.

Even though the government has issued a temporary stay on car MOT’s (vehicles that are due to be tested after 30/03/2020 will have their current MOT extended by 6 months, so if your car MOT test was due on 30/03/2020 it will be extended to be completed by 30/09/2020. Just for clarification, if your date for testing is 01/04/2020, this will be extended by 6 months to 01/10/2020) they have also stated to us that they are keeping this under review, and it may change in the future. If the guidance changes significantly we will update this page.

What if my car MOT was due before the 30/03/2020 and has run out?
As far as the guidance that we have received, you will be in default and will be in breach of your insurance rules. Please check your insurance policy for your insurance companies’ policy in regards to cars without an MOT. Usually once a MOT expires, your insurance will be invalid, and you could be prosecuted by the authorities. The only exception to this rule is that if your MOT has expired, you can only drive the vehicle to the MOT testing station and if you are stopped by the police, they will usually ring the testing station to check that you are booked in. Don’t forget that your car should be parked off the road whilst it has no MOT.

How do I know when my Car MOT is due?
You can check when your MOT and Car Tax are due here on the GOV.UK website, https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/

What if my car becomes unroadworthy during the Covid-19 outbreak?
Whilst the government has extended the current MOT certificates for vehicles after 30/03/2020 (see above) they have still advised that your vehicle must remain roadworthy. As an example, if you have a worn tyre and are stopped by the police, you should expect to receive a fine and 3 points on your driving licence.

How we are following the Government Guidelines

We are doing everything as a business to adhere to the government guidelines as listed below.

wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
wash your hands as soon as you get back home
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

DON’T

do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

We at Belmont MOT as a company are doing what we can as precautionary messages whilst at work. Please ring to check we are open and get a slot booked in to attend the garage. If you know or suspect what is wrong with your vehicle, please write it down on a piece of paper before you leave home and leave the instructions on your passenger seat. When arriving at the garage, park a minimum of 5 metres away and please ring from outside. When we come outside the garage and acknowledge you, exit your car, leaving the key in the ignition with the driver’s window down. You can either leave cash in an envelope in the glove compartment or pay by card. We will enter your car, putting temporary seat covers on the driver’s seat, paper carpet mats and sanitizing the steering wheel. Once the work has been completed, we will call you to collect.

If everyone adheres to the rules, we can beat this together, please stay safe.

#SupportTheNHS #DefendTheNHS #SaveOurNHS

September 23, 2019

MOT

When Do Cars Need Their First MOT?

For new drivers, there are so many things that you need to be aware of, and one of those issues would concern the MOT. More to the point, it is important to know when your car will first need an MOT, as well as understanding exactly what an MOT involves. That is what we specialise in here at Belmont MOT and Service Station, so we will delve into these points in this article.

What Does An MOT Involve?

An MOT is a test that was certified by the Ministry Of Transport (hence the name); the Ministry actually no longer exists, but the MOT continues to this day and is the test designed to ensure that a car meets the national standards required for a vehicle to be deemed suitable to go out on the road. In an MOT, any problems that the vehicle has which either hinder the driving experience somewhat or prevent it from being safe for any usage are identified, and they have to be resolved (they can sometimes be fixed by a mechanic at the time) for the car to be passed.

When Is The First MOT Required?

Your car will not require an MOT right away, though. It will be three years on from when you have bought the vehicle that you will be responsible for ensuring that it completes its first MOT test. More than likely, if you are not experiencing any issues with your car beforehand, then it should pass its first MOT with flying colours, but it is also possible that some unknown problems may be identified which will ensure that your car is inspected thoroughly, with these potential setbacks nipped in the bud before they become serious, allowing you to then safely resume driving the motor.

When Are Subsequent MOTs Required?

After your car has passed its first MOT, you will receive an MOT certificate that covers you for the next twelve months. Therefore, this means that you will need to ensure that your car has another MOT within that one-year window. Many drivers look to wait until the final few weeks to maximise the time period, but others prefer to undergo MOTs more often to fix any nagging flaws with the motor. Either way, all subsequent MOTs must be carried out every twelve months, and its’s worth remembering that the older the car gets and the more usage the car takes on, the more likely it is that an MOT will become a high priority to make sure your vehicle is still suitable for driving.

You can find out more about the first MOT and subsequent MOT tests for your car, as well as learning when you can arrange an MOT here at Belmont MOT and Service Station, by visiting www.belmontmot.co.uk.

April 25, 2019

Uncategorized

Need an MOT? Look No Further

When is my MOT due?

How many times have we pondered and then panicked over these few words…? Along with…can I check my MOT on line? How much will it cost? Will my car pass its MOT…? How will this affect my car tax and insurance…? And of course we will worry about these problems, as, if you don’t have a valid MOT, then not only is your car unsafe, perhaps, the following could most definitely happen:

– You won’t be able to tax your vehicle

– You may invalidate your insurance

– You may get a fine

– You may even have your vehicle seized

We have enough to do in our busy, hectic lives without worrying about MOTs too! So, let Belmont MOT servicing sort it out for you, leaving you to concentrate on more pleasurable past times, like driving to the match or the restaurant in a car that has a full MOT and service…

Is there an MOT test station near me?

Once you have established that you need an MOT, or service, then where to go is next on the agenda. Local is important to a lot of people, we want to drop the car off on the way to work or be able to pick it up easily with that all important test certificate and then get on with our lives…None of us want to be days and days without our car, or to be stranded in the middle of nowhere having to get to where we need to be after we have left the car for its service or MOT. So location is really essential to the choice we make – so if you live in Liverpool then Belmont Services is an ideal choice. It is near to all the main roads, on the bus routes and train stations. So, it I easily fitted in around your daily routine of work or shopping or those daily routines, so the MOT and service does not need to get in the way any more, thanks to our friendly service here at Belmont.

Quality and Reliability

At Belmont MOT it is all about quality. Not just with the job we complete but with the customer service and attentiveness to you and your cars needs. We have the tools and equipment to make sure the job is done right first time, every time.

We are the preferred choice of several local car dealerships, which is a testament to our high standards. Our MOT price is highly competitive from just £35, a price which is much lower than many of the MOT stations in Liverpool. Our customers come back time and time again for our fast and reliable service, with that personal, yet professional touch, that makes all the difference in this busy hectic life.

So, give us a call or just pop in and we will be more than happy to tell you exactly what you need and help you to find the best option to take the stress out of that all important service and MOT time of year!

April 23, 2017

MOT

Will DPF Removal Fail an MOT?

It is a question we get here at Belmont MOT time and time again. Will DPF removal fail an MOT? Before we answer the question let’s look at what the DPF is and what it does.

What is a DPF?

DPF is short for diesel particulate filter, it is an item that sits in the exhaust of diesel cars and cleans the gases before releasing them into the air. This cleaning process causes the filter to “fill up” and if it isn’t cleaned it gets blocked and can cause a number of serious faults. The first fault you would notice is the DPF light on your dashboard warning you of a fault. Normally a clean can remove this light and your car operates as normal. However, on the odd occasion cleaning doesn’t work as it is too full and considered failed.

You might be wondering why the DPF didn’t clean when it’s supposed to. Well, let’s look at how the cleaning process works with the filter. There are 2 different ways in which it can be cleaned and is all done automatically by the ECU of the car. The first involves injecting fuel into the filter when it is at a certain temperature, the fuel then mixes with the carbon inside the filter and burns off. The second is very similar but instead of injecting fuel, it injects a special fluid that has the same characteristics and performs the same task for the DPF. The cleaning process is called dpf regeneration. We’ve noticed that older, used cars, suffer with DPF issues as the first owner isn’t aware of how to use it.

Before the cleaning process begins a number of things need to happen.

Your car needs to be at full operating temperature.
You need to have at least 1/4 tank of fuel.
Your engine needs to be over 2500 revs per minute for 15 minutes (more recommended)

Without these being met, your car will not request cleaning the DPF as it will not complete the process adequately. This is why diesel cars are now recommended for those who do plenty of motorway driving.

Will Removing it Fail an MOT?

A removal is an option that garages offer as replacing the DPF can be very expensive. However, as of 2014 the DPF is something that will be tested under MOT conditions. The workings of the filter isn’t what is tested but checking for a filter and that it is intact is on the test. If the DPF is removed then you will fail your MOT test.

If you have been looking for an MOT in Liverpool then be sure to consider us here at Belmont MOT. You can always ensure a fair test as a proud member of the Good Garage Scheme.

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