New MOT Rules
I've just had an e-mail concerning this, below.
Stricter new rules around MOTs are being rolled out across the country next month and could see drivers facing a fine of up to £2,500 if they are caught breaking any of them. The new fines cover areas such as not having a valid MOT certificate in place or not reaching new MOT standards, particularly around failing to reach new emissions standards from diesel cars.
The new rules will start to take effect on May 20th, but the worrying thing is that most drivers are not aware of the forthcoming changes, nor are they aware of the massive increase in fines for non-compliance of the new rules that are coming into place.
Complicated rules
At the beginning of this year, we reported on a series of new measures put into place as part of the new MOT system that could catch out drivers. Now the rules are set to become law; drivers aren’t entirely aware of the new fine print that could end up costing them a lot of money, which can be up to £2,500 in some cases.
One example is putting your car in for the MOT early. If you put your car in for an MOT before it is due, and the vehicle fails, you could face a hefty fine if you continue to drive the car, despite the fact that the original MOT certificate still has a period left to run. That’s because if the car doesn’t get through the tighter new MOT rules, then it will no longer be classed as road legal, regardless of an existing MOT certificate or not.
The new rules starting in May will also include points on the licence and even a driving ban for drivers who are caught breaking them, which is unprecedented. Quite how this will be policed has not been made clear by the Government, and the Police have not indicated whether they would chase evaders from breaking the new MOT rules.
New confusing defect types
The new, more complex MOT rules also include a new series of defect types – dangerous, major and minor. There are also more strict rules on emissions for diesel cars, while cars that are 40 years or older could become MOT exempt.
RAC spokesman, Simon Williams, said “rather than MOTs being a straightforward black and white system of pass or fail, the new defect types could create confusion for drivers and testers. Each tester will have to use their judgement as to whether a defect is dangerous, major or minor and this could lead to differences from one garage to another.”
The types could also confuse drivers, especially between the dangerous and major fault categories. In the current system, if a car has a fault that means it fails the MOT, then it must be repaired before being used again. But under the new test, a vehicle with dangerous or major fault will automatically fail.
And, a minor fault on a diesel car could end up being a major one simply because of the fuel type. Any minor defects will be listed on the MOT certificate alongside the existing advisory notices system for things that the driver may want to get fixed before they deteriorate.
More tests
The new MOT rules also include yet more stress for diesel drivers with the introduction of more stringent regulations around emission testing. A diesel car can face an automatic fail if there is any smoke emitted from the exhaust in some cases. The diesel particulate filters or DPFs will also be checked, and if these are missing or altered, then the car will automatically be failed.
Other harsher tests revolve around the lights on the car. Reverse, front fog, and daytime running lights have all now been included as part of the MOT test. Reversing lights were introduced on inspections from September 2009 while daytime running lights were first added to tests in March this year. Front fog lights were also added last month.
Other tests being introduced next month include:
Obviously underinflated tyres
Contaminated brake fluid
Fluid leaks that pose an environmental risk
Warning lights for brake pads or if brake pads or discs are missing
Hope this is of some help.
Comments
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To be honest as a MOT tester, it's never been a black and white system, it's always been down to the testers judgement, My take on it is dangerous, will be a dangerous fail, which we've always had the option of, major a fail, and minor been an advise. It's always been my view that once a car has been failed it's been proved unroad worthy so should it really be on the road? The faults won't be different due to fuel type
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Agreed, but there are fails & fails. A car could fail due to dangerous rust near suspension points or a failed bulb/cracked screen etc. The latter car, though an MOT failure isn't really unroad worthy. My usual tester will often give me the nod to things he won't actually note on the advisory sheet. 😉
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Yes I noticed this as well,one issue announced was towbar fixings and security,which I thought was already part of the MOT.
I always wonderd how you could drive a car which has just failed an MOT ,then keep driving it until the original MOT expired.
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The problem is you can advise on a car that you know full well won't be improved on till next year, and there's always the fails for numberplates etc, that don't effect roadworthyness, but then other things that you know full well need acting on that you can't do a thing about, The MOT is a very minimum standard
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Thanks Nellie , that’s very useful. I have a 23yr old Toyota Hilux Surf and the last MOT saw the tester asking me “What’s with this engine? I can’t find any emissions “ - now I would have thought that all cars emitted but perhaps the electronic kit they use is only looking for certain emissions? Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than me could clarify please?? The Surf went through with not a problem. The biggest worry for me is are they making it almost impossible for diesels to pass the test to force them off the road??
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I have no doubt the diesel fuel tax increases that will become an annual budget event will be the most popular way the government will achieve the removal of diesels but then I think all fuel tax will have to increase to recoup the loses from the road tax reductions for clean emissions vehicles. If none of the above achieves the sums of money needed then standby for tax per mile. Happy Days.
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They couldn't find anything because you use recycled chip fat.
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The MOT will only look for smoke opacity unless the new rules change things and retrospectively.
A Surf from way back then, Euro 1, really should sail through the MOT smoke test as it is allowed a massive 28 times the 0.005 grams per kM of particulates even a Euro 5 engine onward, is allowed to churn out!
Most likely if he could see the truck from the rear it could pass its opacity test
By today's standards it is a very polluting vehicle as back then there was no limit then on the NOx until Euro 3 in 2000, and now with Euro6 that is down to one sixth of its introduction value.
IMO, these are the era diesel engines that should be kept from our urban roads as they are totally disproportionate in the atmospheric pollution they are allowed and inherently are likely to emit.
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I was thinking about a comment Cyberyacht made earlier and wondered if the vehicle was run on recycled chip fat ,or sunflower oil, would it then emit less Noxious gases, therefore being environmentally friendly? I realise the customs and excise would not be happy, but maybe it's time to look at the bigger picture? 😀
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Many years ago I owned a MK1 Discovery which, for a wager, I filled half of the tank with vegetable oil, purchased at a local supermarket.
Whilst I half expected the engine to explode or the vehicle to breakdown, it actually seemed to have the reverse effect! It ran sweeter and with less 'diesel knocking' with improved performance as a bonus
None of this was conducted under laboratory conditions you understand and it did smell like a chip shop for a week or so, but I ran it for a good 18 months afterwards (on normal diesel I hasten to add) before selling it with a new MOT.
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