What to check first
- Lights: walk around the car and check dipped beam, brake lights, indicators, plate lights, and reverse lights.
- Tyres: look for obvious low tread, cuts, cracking, and mismatched pressures.
- Wipers and washers: make sure blades clear properly and washer fluid actually reaches the windscreen.
- Windscreen visibility: clean the glass and notice any obvious chips or cracks in critical viewing areas.
- Number plates: make sure they are readable and not hanging off like a half-hearted excuse.
Easy practical wins
- Top up washer fluid
- Replace dead bulbs
- Replace damaged wiper blades
- Inflate tyres correctly
- Clear clutter that could interfere with belts, seats, or pedal operation
What a week will not hide
Brake wear, suspension play, corrosion, exhaust issues, and deeper emissions problems do not usually disappear because you gave the car a rinse and a positive attitude. The checklist is for obvious avoidables, not fantasy repairs.
If you already know there is an issue
Do not treat the checklist as a substitute for dealing with a known problem. If the brakes feel wrong or a tyre is clearly done, fix that first.
Why this matters
A simple fail for a bulb or washer issue is still time, hassle, and often a retest. A few small checks can save the annoying kind of MOT problem and leave you with only the real issues to worry about.