Changes to MOT laws make it more difficult for some cars to pass

[davieG]

Steering is one of the areas being looked at in the new criteria

 

By

Anne Verdon

10:08, 26 JAN 2018

 

 

MOT tests are about to get more difficult to pass for diesel cars from May 2018.

More stringent emissions testing is just one of the areas of the new focus. Faults are going to be categorised as Dangerous, Major and Minor.

Any car that has a diesel particulate filter that looks as if it has been tampered with or removed will not pass - unless it can be proved it has been cleaned, reports the Mirror.

Neil Barlow, head of MOT policy for the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency told Auto Express the new rules will "help motorists do the right thing".

He added: "We're changing the wording on the certificate. We've done a lot of research with motorists to find out what sort of information helps."

Steering is also to be looked at in the DVSA's new criteria.

A steering box leaking oil would get a Minor fault but if the oil was dripping badly it would be pushed up to Major and fail.

Reverse lights will be checked and brake discs also inspected to see if they are "significantly or obviously worn".

Motorists are failing MOTs for all kinds of reasons (Image: Getty)

Minor defects refer to those that have no significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment.

Major defects may see the vehicle being less safe and have an impact on the environment, putting other road users at risk.

 

Dangerous defects have an immediate risk to road safety and have an impact on the environment.

The new rules will start from May 20 but an RAC spokesman said they fear the changes could end up confusing motorists.

He said: "Rather than MOT failures simply being black and white, the new system creates the potential for confusion as testers will have to make a judgement as to whether faults are Dangerous, Major or Minor.

"Motorists may also struggle to tell the difference."

[RoboFox]

I wish we didn't have MOTs and could use logs for wheels like in Soviet Russia, comrade.

 

[Jon the Hat]

17 minutes ago, RoboFox said:

I wish we didn't have MOTs and could use logs for wheels like in Soviet Russia, comrade.

 

It has a spare wheel on the back ffs!

[VLC86]

 you can see daylight through the wheel arch on my old golf and it’s just passed.

[AyewJoking]

20 minutes ago, Costock_Fox said:

 you can see daylight through the wheel arch on my old golf and it’s just passed. (away)

 

[VLC86]

15 minutes ago, Royston. said:

 

It sadly will shortly when it is scrapped.

[Stadt]

I barely drive because my car's at home and there's no parking at my halls anyway but I can't see my corsa having many years left

Edited 26 January 2018 by Wookie

[Julian Joachim Jr Shabadoo]

4 hours ago, Jon the Hat said:

It has a spare wheel on the back ffs!

Yeah but with a log you don't have to worry about tyres, I'm surprised more people don't go with the log approach

[Guest the fox]

5 hours ago, RoboFox said:

I wish we didn't have MOTs and could use logs for wheels like in Soviet Russia, comrade.

 

max drifting ability

 

[ozleicester]

Barking mad

[RoboFox]

13 hours ago, the fox said:

max driftwood ability

 

Fixed.