It's time for experts to take a good look under your bonnet

One way to spot future health problems is to have regular check-ups. Doctors reveal the health MOTs your body needs decade by decade

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CAR owners nationwide are used to getting an annual MOT - knowing it gives them peace of mind of yet another year of problem-free motoring - yet how many of us think the same way about our bodies?

And when was the last time you had a physical health check at your surgery?

A recent Midlife MOT Survey of 2000 adults aged 35 to 54 revealed many took better care of their car than their own bodies. While nearly two-thirds book their vehicles in for an annual MOT, fewer than half have had their cholesterol checked in the past five years - despite heart disease being the UK's biggest killer with more than 170,000 deaths annually.

The research, commissioned by the supplement brand Healthspan, also found almost half of adults had never had their cholesterol checked, with women more likely than men to skip the test.

"Routine health checks are a bit like a service for your car - they keep everything running smoothly," says Dr Gareth Patterson. "By picking up small problems early, we can often prevent them from developing into something more serious."

Dr Tom Jenkins, GP and Sports Doctor, adds: "Lots of people ignore early warning signs. The things that may not show up in your 20s can show up in health checks in your 30s and 40s and as symptoms in your 50s which go on to impact your life as you get older.

"But why wait until your body is shouting at you and when it's much harder to tackle health issues? If your body is whispering to you, that's the time to head off potential problems."

So, what should you be checking at every age - and which tests are too important to skip?

20S And 30S - Set The Foundations

You're at your physical peak during your 20s. Bone density, strength, muscle mass, agility and metabolism are at their optimum.

"The 20s are about laying down foundations," says Dr Sheena Kumar.