MANY of us will be familiar with the annual trip to the local garage for an MoT test, but do we know what it involves and what an MoT certificate tells you about a vehicle?

It is a legal requirement that all cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles more than three years old must have an annual MoT test. The MoT test is a minimum road safety and environmental standards check. However, it is not a full mechanical check and is no guarantee of a car's condition or identity.

The Vehicle Inspectorate (VI) is the regulatory body charged with monitoring vehicle-testing standards. As well as authorising garages and individuals to carry out MoT testing it also oversees testing standards and has the power to take enforcement action where necessary.

Thousands of garages all over the country are authorised by the Vehicle Inspectorate to carry out MoTs. The maximum fee for an MoT for a car is £34 and £13.70 for a motorcycle. These fees are set by the Government and are reviewed annually. Garages can however charge a lower fee if they choose.

MoT testers use a manual which explains how the test should be carried out and includes the criteria on which a vehicle will pass or fail. The MoT test should be carried out in a special bay and viewing facilities should be available for you to watch your car being tested, if you wish, although you are not permitted to interrupt during testing.

If you believe that your vehicle has wrongfully failed the MoT, you have a right to appeal. You will need to complete a form (VT17) which you can obtain from any MoT testing station or the VI, which must be returned to the Vehicle Inspectorate within 14 days of the initial test, with the full test fee. Within five days the inspectorate will then make an appointment to check your vehicle. If your appeal is successful you may be able to obtain a refund of your original test fee.

If you think your vehicle should not have passed the test you should inform the inspectorate immediately and not later than 28 days from the date of the test. The inspectorate will arrange to carry out a free check on the vehicle.

Your local Vehicle Inspectorate office can also provide information about testing stations capable of accommodating vehicles with special needs; including diesels, buses and ambulances.

For details of your local Vehicle Inspectorate office or any other information about MoT testing, please contact City of York Council Trading Standards at 9 St Leonard's Place or telephone 01904 551562. The fax number is 01904 551511 and the email address is trading.standards@york.gov.uk