What does a second lockdown mean for vehicle servicing and MOTs?

Nationwide lockdowns are rarely convenient. But for a some people, they’re especially troublesome. If your MOT happened to be due in the middle of November, then the announcement that all non-essential businesses would be forced to close might have inspired a wave of panic. If your appointment with the garage is due in December, then you might find yourself similarly concerned – as it’s not entirely clear whether lockdown will in fact come to an end on the 2nd, despite the reassurances of the Prime Minister.

Let’s take a look at a few common questions, and see if we can establish what the second lockdown really means for those with an MOT due.

Is there going to be an extension?

You might remember that, during the first lockdown, motorists were granted a bit of leeway when it came to getting their cars legally checked. This came in the form of a six-month exemption which kicked in at the end of March. This isn’t going to happen this time around. This is so for three reasons: because many garages now have the capability to do their job relatively safely; because the need to keep the country moving is paramount; and because there’s still a sizeable backlog of MOTs that need to be worked through, thanks to the previous extension.

Are Garages Open?

The good news, as far as your MOT is concerned, is that your local service centre will still be open. There are, however, likely to be a range of restrictions in place to ensure that both staff and customers are protected. These are, for the most part, all of the same ones that we’ve already gotten used to. Expect marked floors, one-way systems, sanitiser dispensers, and mandatory facemasks. You might also have to queue while inside your vehicle – so be sure to take some form of entertainment with you.

In some cases, you might find that your garage offers a collection service, meaning that you don’t need to risk driving in yourself. This helps to limit the volume of traffic at busier sites. Of course, not every garage can offer this – so be sure to check.

What about Online Shopping?

Of course, customers can still take advantage of online retailers for replacement parts, provided that they have the skills to do the fitting themselves. Certain components, naturally, are more user-serviceable than others. You can buy car tyres online for substantially less than what a professional might charge. The same goes for things like engine oil, coolant and wiper fluid. Keeping your vehicle prepared for the cold weather will help to minimise the amount you spend on services and maintenance – and ultimately help your vehicle to stay on the roads for as long as possible.