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MOT & Vehicle Testing

What should I check before an MOT in Northern Ireland?

At minimum, check obvious roadworthiness items such as lights, tyres, tyre pressures and brakes before the test.

DVA reminds drivers that roadworthiness is their responsibility. Before an MOT, basic checks should include lights, tyre condition, tyre pressure, tread depth and obvious brake or safety problems.

A pre-test check cannot guarantee a pass but can catch simple avoidable faults.

A useful pre-test check is to deal with obvious roadworthiness items before travelling, especially lights, tyres, visibility and anything already showing a warning or defect.

In Northern Ireland, MOT and vehicle testing is administered by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), so the official DVA/nidirect service is the reference point for appointments, test status, certificates, fees and retests.

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We use official and primary sources wherever possible rather than relying on generic AI-generated information.

Information checked: 25 September 2026
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