Small part of vehicle check close to engine (4)
I believe the answer is:
mote
'small part' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'vehicle check close to engine' is the wordplay.
'vehicle check' becomes 'MOT' (MOT test).
'close to' says to take the final letters (the 'close' to the word).
The last letter of 'engine' is 'e'.
'mot'+'e'='MOTE'
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mote that I've seen before include "Spot" , "Dust speck; sounds like watery defence" , "'Particle, speck (4)'" , "A particle of dust" , "Tiny piece, speck" .)