Hi everyone,

40k miles is coming up shortly, as is the 3rd anniversary of ownership. That obviously means the warranty will come to an end, and it's also time for the first MOT. I intend to have the service and MOT both carried out at the same time, they're both paid for on a service plan anyway.

My question is, can the MOT be carried out a few days before the car has actually turned 3 years old? I would like it done while the warranty is still on, I'd hate the possibility of it failing on something that would be otherwise covered.

And what needs renewing at 40,000 miles? I'd assume pretty much everything...? (every single filter, spark plugs, brake fluid) Is the coolant supposed to be sealed for life? Never had any fluid changed (other than oil of course), and I've had the car from new.

The MOT can be done up to one calendar month before it is due to preserve the anniversary date but I'm not sure if that also applies to the very first test.

Best bet is phone the dealer and ask.

The service book should tell you what should be done at which service.

Bored so been surfing around the Direct Gov site on MoTs, as expected nothing obvious about dates. However as you will need the MoT to get the road tax, which is presumably due, or normally would be 3 years on from first registration then I would think that the anniversary preservation rules apply, ie as long as it is done within the month (may be 28 days) then the expiry date should be a year on from registration.

The MOT can be done up to one calendar month before it is due to preserve the anniversary date but I'm not sure if that also applies to the very first test.

Best bet is phone the dealer and ask.

Personally I would not trust the knowledge of the dealer too much, the qualified tester on site, if they have one, should know but they won't always check with them.

The MoTs are all registered and processed online now, with the 'certificate' being more like a receipt, so the system is basically automated for the documentation side. There are a few dedicated MoT places around, may be worth a call to check the rules even if you use the dealer for the test.

The MOT can be done 4 weeks before the cars third birthday, and it will run from the third birthday, been there and done that with my Superb last year. Took it in at the beginning of August, MOT start date was the 1st September.

The tester does not need the V5 or anything, its all on the computer when they punch the VIN number in.

The MOT can be done 4 weeks before the cars third birthday, and it will run from the third birthday, been there and done that with my Superb last year. Took it in at the beginning of August, MOT start date was the 1st September.

The tester does not need the V5 or anything, its all on the computer when they punch the VIN number in.

That's what I thought but didn't want to give possibly duff info?

Hi Fab, as the guys are saying, and the brake fluid should be done at 3 years now for it's first change (that's up from the 2yr interval) and then every second year. I would certainly have the brake fluid changed this time but in another two years get them to check it with their tester before automatically changing it. It will probably be ok to go to another 3 years because of these newer fully synthetic fluids which are no where near as hydroscopic as the dino stuff.

Thanks a lot chaps, much appreciated!

Quite relieved that I can have the MOT done while the warranty is still on, and I've been through the service book, so I know what to expect now.

@Estate Man

It makes sense then that they never changed the brake fluid at the 2yr interval. I was thinking they were just skimping on it, seeing as I've been paying fixed prices for servicing, through the plans I was offered.

Anyhow, no need for them to check it again after 2 years, this will be the last time I shall be seeing the dealer. It'll be good old DIY after that, as I have been doing with all my previous cars. For once in my life I bought a brand new car and my personal experience with the so-called "authorised" dealers has been absolutely horrid. I have been on the receiving end of an intolerable amount of grief. And this is supposed to be the dealer network that was voted best in the UK, according to the various automotive publications... Hmmm, how much worse could the networks at the bottom rankings possibly be?

Anyway, I feel like I'm opening a can of worms here.

Thanks again everyone!

If You have the car mot'd before the warranty runs out. Any thing that fails that is under warranty will be fixed