What’s new?
Cars with minor defects will be permitted to pass their MOT (with faults being recorded on their MOT certificate and online record), however any faults classified as Major or Dangerous, will result in immediate failure. These categories have been brought in to meet a new EU directive known as the European Union Roadworthiness Package and prioritise vehicle safety alongside responsible roadside performance.
Testers will be paying close attention to numerous factors, including reverse lights functionality, the amount of wear and tear sustained by your vehicle’s brake discs and steering security. If, for example, your car’s steering wheel was loose enough to suggest imminent detachment, it would be classified as a Dangerous Defect, rendering the vehicle unfit to be driven away from the garage.
The updated MOT test will also impose tougher rules on diesel cars, automatically failing any vehicle fitted with a diesel particle filter (DPF) found to produce ‘’visible smoke of any colour’’. Assessors will be examining vehicles for any evidence of removed or altered DPF’s, automatically refusing to test any car in which the ‘’DPF canister has clearly been cut open and re-welded.’’ If able to prove that this alteration was carried out ‘’for legitimate reasons such as filter cleaning’’, owners will be able to bypass this refusal, but testers have been instructed to be extremely firm.
Emission testing is also set to tighten, with an increased focus on lowering the limits for diesel cars.
So what does this change mean for you?
With such a significant shift in testing criteria, you may be a little apprehensive about your forthcoming MOT. Thankfully though, while testing is set to change, here at Vantage, our service will be staying the same as it has been for the past fifteen years; bespoke, thorough and expertly led. We are perfectly equipped to guide you and your vehicle through the next generation of MOT assessments.
If your MOT is due, contact our team today so we can get you booked in. We’ll be more than happy to answer any of your questions about the new MOT testing.
