Most drivers know that a car must be insured, taxed and registered with the DVLA. But staying legal on the road also means keeping your vehicle roadworthy, and several requirements often get overlooked. Here are five key checks you can carry out yourself to make sure your car meets legal standards.
1. Tyres
Your tyres must meet legal standards for air pressure and tread depth.
Tyre pressure
- Check your car’s recommended pressure in the vehicle handbook.
- A digital tyre-pressure gauge will provide you with accurate readings.
- Inflate tyres to the correct level if they’re low with a tyre-inflator.
Our guide on checking and re-inflating tyres has some great advice to help you along the way.
Tread depth
- The legal minimum tread depth needs to be 1.6mm (for cars, light vans and light trailers) or 1mm (for motorcycles, large vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles).
- Use a tread depth gauge to check your tyre tread depth with accuracy and precision.
For more support and advice, visit your local Halfords garage for a free tyre check.
2. Bulbs and wiper blades
All exterior lights and wiper blades must be fully functional.
Bulbs
- Check headlights, indicators, brake lights, and reverse lights.
- Ensure all lenses are clean and beams are unobstructed.
Wiper blades
- Inspect the rubber for cracks, splits or stiffness. Damaged blades reduce visibility and can be illegal in poor weather.
If you do find that any are in need of replacing, then we offer a wide range of bulbs and blades that you can purchase online. You can easily find the right fit for your car by entering your registration details online when prompted, while our car bulb buyers guide and wiper blades buyers guide offer some useful advice to help you narrow down your choice.
3. Fluids
Several fluids must be topped up for your car to remain roadworthy.
Screen wash
You might be surprised, but it’s a legal requirement to have some kind of fluid in your screen washer bottle at all times. Water is acceptable, but we would recommend using screen wash as it contains detergents to clean your windscreen.
Engine oil
An engine oil check is simple and takes just seconds, and it could save your engine if it’s dangerously low.
- You should check the dipstick regularly.
- If levels drop quickly, look for signs of leaks.
Other fluids
Depending on your vehicle, you may also need to maintain coolant, brake fluid and (for some diesel cars) AdBlue.
Our mobile and in-store technicians are happy to top up your oil, or if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty then an oil change is simple driveway DIY car repair that almost anyone can do. Just enter your vehicle registration number at Halfords.com to find the perfect oil type for your car.
4. Mirror glass
Both wing mirrors must have intact, clear glass.
A quick visual check is usually enough. If you find the glass is cracked, loose or missing, replace it as soon as possible. Stick-on replacement glass is widely available and easy to fit.
If you find that you need a replacement, simply enter your vehicle registration number online to find a hassle-free, stick-on solution that our expert fitters can install for you or you can choose to install yourself.
5. Number plates
Your number plates must be present, secure, and easy to read.
- Clean the plates regularly so dirt doesn’t obscure the characters.
- Replace plates that are cracked, faded or damaged.
- Ensure the front, spacing and layout meets UK legal standards.
For a replacement plate, check out our Number Plates Builder, which allows you to specify your exact requirements. It’s also a good idea to have a read of our guide to number plates, which takes you through exactly what’s legal and what’s not when it comes to things like font and logos.
We also offer a range of number plate accessories.
Introducing the Halfords Motoring Club
Our talented mobile, in-store and autocentre technicians are ready to lend a hand with any of these five requirements and more, including a number of free checks to keep you moving. Or why not join the Halfords Motoring Club instead?
Join today to access a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe and keep you saving. It’s free to join and you’ll receive money off your MOT, a car health check and a welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.
Or choose our Premium membership to unlock exclusive member pricing on all motoring products and services online and across our stores, garages and Halfords Mobile Experts, as well as a variety of other benefits that will help you to keep moving for less.
With so much to enjoy, this is too good an opportunity to miss!
Join the Halfords Motoring Club today at www.halfords.com/motoring-club.
