Hi Dayle.
Have you got ramps and a good trolley jack?
Have you got any old MOT's with the checklist?
The basic checks are...
Do all lights work,also when you switch them on all together,ie side,head,brake and indicate,do they all still work ok?
Horn,washers and wipers and wiper blade condition,hazzards,any fog lights fitted.
All seatbelt anchorages and buckles firm,all seats secure,all doors open from inside and outside.
No chips or cracks in the sweep of the wipers and in front of driver.
Do the brakes all work,stops straight,"steering feels ok" and the handbrake work well.
You can get a free brake check at most tyre places on the rollers.
All tyres within legal limits,also the spare if you have one.
Is the exh secure and not blowing.
Shake the wheels and see if there is movement indicating a bearing or ball joint worn.
Get under it and have a good poke about along the floors and sill area for rust,any rust within 12" of a suspension securing point and it will fail!
If you can take the wheels off,have a good look at under the arches,the front brake hoses for cracks,and the condition of the pads.
Also you can get your car in for an MOT up to 1 month before it expires,you will then get 13months if it passes,and if it fails, although technically its not legal,you have time to fix it! :wink:
Most garages will give you 7-14 days to fix it and bring it back for a free retest of the failed items.
Theres no point in taking it when it will fail on 2-3 simple things,and beware garages who fail cars just to get some work out of it at silly prices!!!
The better you know your car the better for your pocket!
BTW??
What area of the UK are you in??
Apart from that little lot,try and find a good old established garage with an experienced older MOT man who knows classic cars!
Good luck and have fun checking your car out!