An MOT test is your vehicles’ annual safety check. Virtually every vehicle in the UK requires a valid MOT certificate, once over 3 years of age. Without one, you risk a substantial fine. Although it may feel like it at times, the MOT test is not deliberately designed as an annual drain on your bank balance. It is a detailed safety check to ensure the safety of your car or van, both for its occupants and other road users.
Our team are highly-trained, qualified DVSA technicians (formerly VOSA) and qualified to carry out MOT tests. We are always honest and impartial when undertaking MOT tests because your safety is our priority. Our loyal customers always come back to us for their servicing and MOT testing, as they know they can rely on our honest and impartial advice, no matter what.
Use our online booking tool by simply entering in your registration, and you can check when your car MOT date is coming up. You can book up to 28 days before your MOT is due so that you get a full 13 months MOT cover.
During an MOT test, all aspects of your vehicle are checked with specific tests being carried out in some areas. Although you won’t be able to test items such as your engine emissions, there are some basic checks you can do at home to get some idea of whether your vehicle will pass.
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You can check your tyres at home. The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm, measured across the middle of the tyre. For safety and improved road handling, we would recommend trying to always maintain at least 3mm of tread, but this depth isn’t required for the MOT test.
You can check that all external lights are working correctly, including your dipped and full beam. The best way to get an idea if your lights are working and aligned correctly is to park facing a wall. A reflective surface, such as a glossy garage door, can often be used to check the operation of your rear, reverse and brake lights.
Windscreens should be in good condition and the driver’s view
should not be obscured in any way. Cracks or chips, depending on their
size and position, can cause an MOT failure.
You can also check that
all locks and hinges open, fasten and secure as they should. This
includes the front doors opening from inside and outside the vehicle,
and the bonnet latch and boot lid securely latching in the closed
position.
Prior to your test, if you have any specific concerns feel free to have a chat with one of our technicians. They’ll assess whether it’s likely to pass and if they feel it may fail, you can rely on us to help you find a fast, safe and affordable solution to keep you on the road.
MOT tests can be booked online at Horsepower, in just a couple of clicks. Just enter your vehicle registration and get it booked in at a time that suits you. We serve customers in Tonbridge, Tudeley, Hadlow, Golden Green, Bidborough, Hildenborough and surrounding areas for all car services including MOT tests, car servicing and vehicle repairs.
Book online now for any of our service offerings using our online booking tool. Just select the type of service you want and you’ll get an instant price where you can book 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Booking your vehicle with us couldn't be easier with our all-new online booking tool!
For all your MOT, repairs and maintenance needs, Horsepower Motor Centre is the only place you’ll need to go. Conveniently based in Tonbridge, between Sevenoaks and Royal Tunbridge Wells, our large premises are located opposite one and other on the site of two former main dealerships.
We have Vehicle Technicians qualified and trained to work on all of the major brands including Land Rover, Jaguar, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Vauxhall, Renault, Citroen, Volkswagen to name but a few! Eleven vehicle inspection ramps, the latest camera-based wheel alignment equipment, a state-of-the-art Automated Test Lane for MOTs and all of the latest onboard vehicle diagnostic systems. We are also equipped to service and maintain alternative fuel vehicles, having heavily invested in hybrid training and equipment. So if you own a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicle, we can look after you!
Our large and extensively-resourced workshops allow us to offer a full range of both traditional and 21st century garage services. All of the above plus much more back-up why we are Kent's leading independent vehicle repairer.
Excellent value from experienced technicians.
Our very experienced team of vehicle technicians are trained to main dealer standards and can work on all makes and models of cars and vans. With so many years of experience, we’ll always go out of our way to provide main dealer quality workmanship at highly competitive, independent garage prices.
All the parts we use are of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) quality. This means that any work we undertake on your vehicle will have no affect at all on your manufacturer's warranty. We can provide a breakdown of all parts used during any service or repair, right down to the grade of oil. That means that you’ll be able to prove your vehicle has been maintained properly, should you need to claim on the warranty.
Even with vehicles no longer covered by a warranty, we always use top quality parts, oils and lubricants. All the parts we use come with at least a 12-month guarantee, giving you reassurance that you’ve received a like for like replacement component, every time we carry out any work for you. Whatever work your vehicle requires, we’ll get it done quickly and efficiently without ever compromising on quality.
So whether you need a new clutch, gearbox or exhaust or a total overhaul of your engine, at Horsepower Motor Centre we can do it all. We have fully qualified DVSA (formerly VOSA) technicians on site who carry out our MOT testing. Our MOT tests are thorough, honest and impartial. Covering maintenance, MOT’s and general repairs, we’ll never recommend any work that’s not entirely necessary and we’ll always keep you informed. We always fully explain any problems to you, along with providing as accurate a price as we can, before we start any work.
With our online system, you can now book online, 24 hours a day. This means that you can arrange a time and date that fits in with you, taking the hassle out of vehicle maintenance. We also offer a collection and delivery service, alongside providing courtesy cars if required. The only difference you’ll notice from a franchised main dealership is the price.
For all your vehicle repairs, MOT testing and servicing needs across west Kent, serving Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Hildenborough, Hadlow and the surrounding area, book online with Horsepower Motor Centre.
At Horsepower Motor Centre, we have the latest advanced technology for wheel alignment and tracking. Our technicians have the same training and skills you would find at a main dealership, we have the same top quality tools and equipment you’d find at a main dealership, the only difference is our prices.
Wheels get knocked around a fair bit even during ordinary, day-to-day driving. As a result, over time, wheels can end up out of alignment. Issues can also arise from more obvious causes, such as speed bumps and potholes. Even bumping a kerb whilst parking can affect your tracking and alignment.
If you’ve noticed certain issues with your car or van, such as it veers or pulls to one side whilst driving, the chances are you need your wheels aligning. Poor wheel alignment will not only affect the handling of your vehicle, it will also cause uneven tyre wear. This will mean your tyres will wear out much faster, costing you money in the long run.
Alongside causing uneven tyre wear, poorly aligned wheels can, over time, cause damage to various parts of your vehicle. Bad tracking and wheel alignment can lead to excessive stress and wear on various components, including your suspension and steering. As well as potentially damaging your vehicle, poor wheel alignment will also make your fuel economy worse, costing you more every time you fill up.
At Horsepower, our top of the range wheel alignment technology allows us to quickly test your vehicle and adjust your wheels back to the manufacturer’s recommended settings. The equipment we use for our wheel alignment is a precision piece of technology. The angles and degrees involved are often tiny, hence the need for expensive tools to get the best results.
We offer two types of alignment at Horsepower. The first option is still often referred to as tracking. This is when we adjust just your front wheels, which is where most alignment issues arise. This will usually solve any issues you have had with your vehicle pulling to one side whilst driving.
The second option is our four-wheel alignment, which uses the latest camera technology to test your vehicle before we reset your alignment to your vehicle manufacturers recommended settings.
You can book either wheel alignment option online simply by entering your vehicle registration number selecting the required service with instant access to prices. Simply click on the option you require, then choose a time and date that suits you.