Keep your Car road legal & Reliable
To keep your car road legal and reliable, regular maintenance is key. Ensure your MOT, tax, and insurance are always up to date, and address any warning lights or unusual noises promptly. Routine checks on tyres, brakes, lights, and fluids help prevent breakdowns and keep you safe. At Motor Bridge, we stress that staying on top of legal requirements and basic upkeep not only protects you from fines but also ensures your vehicle runs smoothly for every journey.
Smarter Motoring Starts with a Well-Maintained Vehicle
Whether you drive every day or just on weekends, keep your car road legal, reliable, roadworthy and compliant with UK law – it’s essential. A well-maintained car not only keeps you and other road users safe – it also helps avoid costly repairs, insurance issues and legal trouble down the line.
At Motor Bridge, we believe that smarter motoring begins with taking responsibility for your vehicle’s condition, inside and out.
Why Vehicle Maintenance Matters
Routine care ensures your car performs at its best – reducing the risk of breakdowns, improving fuel efficiency and keeping you compliant with legal requirements such as MOTs and roadworthiness standards.
Neglecting vehicle maintenance is one of the leading causes of roadside breakdowns and MOT failures in the UK.
Did You Know?
According to DVSA data, around 30% of vehicles fail their MOT on the first attempt, with many failures due to simple issues like tyre tread, lights or wiper blades — all of which could have been fixed before the test.
Regular checks and timely servicing can help you avoid unexpected failures, fines, or even driving bans.
Key Areas to Check Regularly
Here’s how to keep your car road legal, safe and reliable year-round:
1. Tyres
Check tread depth (minimum legal limit is 1.6mm across the central ¾ of the tyre).
Look for damage or uneven wear.
Ensure tyres are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
2. Lights & Indicators
Check all bulbs are working, including brake lights and indicators.
Clean lenses regularly — dirt can reduce visibility and effectiveness.
3. Wipers & Screenwash
Replace worn wiper blades to maintain visibility in rain.
Always keep screenwash topped up — it’s a legal requirement in the UK.
4. Brakes
Listen for unusual noises or changes in braking performance.
Have brakes checked by a mechanic at the first sign of trouble.
5. Fluids
Regularly check oil, coolant, brake fluid and power steering fluid levels.
Use the correct fluids as specified in your vehicle handbook.
6. Dashboard Warnings
Don’t ignore warning lights. Address them quickly to avoid further damage or safety issues.
7. MOT & Tax
Ensure your MOT is up to date. Driving without a valid MOT can invalidate insurance.
Keep your vehicle taxed and insured at all times — use DVLA reminders or calendar alerts.
Smarter Motoring Means Staying Ahead
Smarter motoring is about more than just fuel efficiency — it’s about understanding your vehicle and taking proactive steps to avoid problems. By keeping your car safe, reliable and legal, you reduce the risk of breakdowns, avoid fines, and protect yourself and others on the road.
✅ Quick Checklist for a Legal and Safe Vehicle:
✅ Tyres legal and inflated?
✅ Lights all working?
✅ Wipers clean and effective?
✅ MOT, tax and insurance up to date?
✅ No dashboard warning lights?
✅ Regular servicing done?
Peace of Mind Starts with Prevention
At Motor Bridge, we promote safer and more responsible driving through education and smart habits, that’s why we recommend to keep your car road legal and safe. A vehicle that’s well looked after is less likely to let you down — and more likely to keep you on the right side of the law.
Take a look at our Garage-Servicing-Repair-MOT section for solutions on keeping your vehicle road legal.
Disclaimer:
While we strive to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information we provide on how to keep your car road legal, it is intended for general guidance only. We make every effort to keep our content current and correct, but we cannot guarantee that all information is free from errors or omissions. Therefore, we accept no responsibility for any loss, damage, or inconvenience caused as a result of reliance on material found on this platform. Always consult official sources or professional advice where appropriate.
