Chameleon Tints and MOTs: What You Need to Know

An MOT is an annual check to make sure your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards in the UK. It’s mandatory by law for most vehicles over three years old (four years in Northern Ireland).

Think of it as a health check for your car. The MOT ensures your vehicle isn’t a danger on the road and isn’t contributing excessively to pollution. It checks things like brakes, lights, tyres, exhaust emissions, and seatbelts. If your car fails the MOT, you’ll need to get the problems fixed before you can legally drive it again.

Where can I get an MOT?

You’ve got a couple options for getting an MOT done:

• National Chains: Big companies like Kwik Fit and Halfords have MOT testing centres scattered around the UK. These can be a convenient option as they often have easy online booking and multiple locations.

• Independent Garages: There are many independent garages that are authorised to perform MOT tests. They might offer more competitive prices than national chains, and some may even be able to fix any issues identified during the MOT on the spot.

Chameleon Tints and MOT’s: What You Need to Know

As we have established, Chameleon tints are a legal customisation, and a MOT check is done to ensure your vehicle is safe enough to drive, whilst also not compromising the safety of other road users and pedestrians.

Your chameleon tint must follow legal parameters in order to pass your MOT. Here is what you should know:

• Light Transmission: The key factor is how much light the tint allows through. MOT regulations require a minimum light transmittance: 75% for the windscreen and 70% for front side windows.

• Not All Chameleon Tints are Equal: While some chameleon tints are designed to comply with these regulations, others might be too dark. Always check with a reputable installer to ensure the tint you choose meets the legal limit.

• MOT Test Focuses on Visibility: Remember, the MOT test prioritises driver visibility when it comes to tints. Even if a tint technically meets the light transmission requirements, it could still fail if the tester deems it significantly affects your view.

Here’s what to consider:

• Get Proof of Light Transmission: Reputable installers should provide a certificate showing the tint’s light transmittance percentage. Keep this document in your car for reference.
• Avoid DIY Tints: Unless you’re confident the tint meets regulations, it’s safer to go with a professional installer who can advise you on legal options.

• Check Existing Tints: If your car already has window tint, and you’re unsure about its legality, consider having a professional check it before your MOT. They can measure the light transmittance and advise on removal or replacement if needed.

How much is professional installation for a chameleon tint?

Window tinting is generally above or below £100. For a premium option like a chameleon tint, it can cost more. At Car Specialist Customs, our prices range from £50 — £250. However, there are a few factors that actually determine how much you pay for your tinting, these are:

• How many windows you choose to tint
• The style and shade of the tint
• Any supplementary work that needs to be done to ensure the tint is applied

Other providers of tints may offer competitive rates but do not offer the same level of care, quality and time that we provide with each of our customisation services.

Our process is generally as follows:

1. You book your appointment with us, highlighting the service you require and which specific style you need (In this case, chameleon tints).
2. You arrive at our workshop, and we have a look at your vehicle, making sure there are no issues that can prevent or cause a problem with your desired tint. We also may ask any questions regarding the vehicle that could be relevant to the tinting process.
3. We go over the level of tinting you require and where. Front areas of a vehicle have legally enforced tinting limits, whilst the back of the vehicle generally does not.
4. Once agreed, we install whenever convenient, we clean the windows and apply the tinting expertly. Ensuring there are no bubbles, there is no over or under lapping areas of the tint over the windows.
5. We provide further instruction to ensure you know how to maintain your tint and keep it pristine.

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