Vehicle Safety Check Questions

Car Maintenance Questions Show me! Tell me!

Driving a well maintained correctly functioning vehicle is important for safety. While you don’t have to be a mechanic to drive, you do need to know when something needs fixing. At the start of your practical driving test you will be asked two questions.

One of the questions will be to explain, the other to demonstrate how to regularly check for faults.

Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear. Demonstrate by applying the handbrake, using the footbrake for control. Explain that when applied it should secure itself in position and not be beyond its ‘working travel.’ The handbrake travelling up too high would show excessive wear. A faulty handbrake could fail when really needed. Take to a garage for adjustment.

Show me how you would check that the indicators are working. Press hazard warning light. Walk around to check. (Hazards come on without ignition) A faulty bulb is a common fault so it’s a good idea to carry a set of spares. Arm signals may be used temporarily, details in The Highway Code.

Show me how you would check that the horn is working. Show where the horn is and that you would press it. Only press it if asked to. Check regularly

Show me / Explain how you would check that the power steering is working before starting a journey. Gently turn the steering wheel and hold this pressure as you start the engine. The steering wheel will move after the engine starts, showing that the system is working. You can feel if its faulty when driving, the wheel would be stiff and hard to turn.

Show me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car. (Examiner may assist you.) Press the brake pedal and make use of a reflection on a wall or garage door or ask someone else to look. Check weekly and before long journeys. Show Me how you would switch on the rear fog lights and explain when you would use them Turn on ignition and dipped headlights and switch on rear fog lights on check warning light is on. Explain that you may only use rear fog light when visibility is less than 100m.

Show Me how you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and explain how you know the main beam is on whilst in the car. Turn on ignition switch headlights on push left indicator stalk away from steering wheel to activate control. Pull back towards you to switch it off.

Show Me how you would clean the windscreen using the windscreen washers and wipers. Turn on ignition then pull right hand stalk towards steering wheel.

Show Me how you would set the demister controls to clear both the front and rear windscreen. Turn on ignition, and then set air distribution to windscreen position. Turn on fan, activate air conditioning if necessary. Press heated rear windscreen button.

Tell Me how you would know if there was a problem with your antilock braking system. The antilock brakes warning light would illuminate on the dash.

Antilock braking system malfunction warning light

Tell me how you would make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash. The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of head restraint is at least as high as the top of ears and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

No cuts or bulges and a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre all the way round (the circumference).

As the driver you are legally responsible for the vehicle you drive. You can measure the depth using a tread depth indicator or by looking for the minimum tread depth bar spaced regularly in between the tread.

Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked. In the manufactures guide (and on drivers door in the Mini). Check regularly when the tyres are cold using a reliable pressure gauge. Incorrect tyre pressure may affect both the wear of the tyres and the handling of the vehicle and increase fuel consumption.

Tell me how you would check the brakes are working before starting a journey. By pressing the brake pedal. It should feel firm, not spongy or slack. When braking the vehicle shouldn’t pull to one side. Test before you set off on a journey and after driving through water.

Tell me how you would check that your headlights and taillights are working. Explain that you would turn ignition on and switch the dipped headlights on. Walk around the car and look to check they are working. They should be adjusted correctly according to the load in the vehicle to prevent dazzling other drivers at night Headlamp height range adjustment may be found in the user manual. To open the Mini bonnet first use the release leaver found in front passenger side foot well.

Then as you face bonnet lift it slightly to release the catch found between Mini logo badge and bonnet stripe on your right.

Open the bonnet identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil. Open the bonnet and point to the dipstick. Explain that the engine should be cold and the car on a level surface. That you would remove the dipstick wipe it clean and replace it, remove it again and the oil level should show between the min / max mark.

The oil warning light may indicate a problem.

Open the bonnet and identify the windscreen washer reservoir and tell me how you would check screen wash level. Open the bonnet point to the windscreen washer reservoir. No measure on the Mini but you may see fluid level through the plastic case. Should be checked and toped up regularly; weekly in winter with a mix of water and screen wash. If it had run out the windscreen washer jet would not work.

Open the bonnet and identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check the engine has the correct level. Open the bonnet and point to the header tank. Explain that the engine coolant should be between the min / max mark. There should be hardly any loss as it is a sealed unit. The coolant does get very hot and is pressurised. You will not be asked to remove the cap but if you needed to top up the level always allow the engine to cool down first. The temperature warning light may indicate a problem with overheating and coolant levels.

Open the bonnet and identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid. Open the bonnet and point to the brake fluid reservoir (lift black plastic cover) and show the level against the min / max marks. Brake warning light may be indicate a problem but also comes on when the handbrake is applied.