RE: New MOT regs - Do you need to panic?
Discussion
How about we check the regs, eh?
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/index.htm
For example, they specifically say that "a passenger airbag that has been switched off is not a Reason for Rejection", and "as far as practicable, check that all airbags fitted as original equipment are present and not obviously defective", and "where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are fitted, switch on the headlamps and check the operation of any headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted".
(my italics)
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/index.htm
For example, they specifically say that "a passenger airbag that has been switched off is not a Reason for Rejection", and "as far as practicable, check that all airbags fitted as original equipment are present and not obviously defective", and "where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are fitted, switch on the headlamps and check the operation of any headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted".
(my italics)
gmackay2 said:
with HID's the criteria states headlamp washing system and self levelling device, however in the MOT guidance it states that if the MOT tester feels that a headlamp cleaning system would offer no real benefit to the beam pattern? then it can pass! So in my A6 Avant which has HID's it has self levelling rear suspension so that's fine, but no headlamp wash, but it has elipisodal lights designed for HIDs/Xenons so that's the line i'm hoping for in May when i go for an MOT.
But i think if you have neither headlamp wash or self levelling suspension and older headlamps? then passing with HID's fitted might be tricky?
My E36 is the same sort of situation, albeit without self levelling suspension. It has projector headlights that have been fitted with an aftermarket HID kit. The car went through the MOT this January with no advisories. As I understand it, anything that it could fail on next year as a result of the new regulations had to be an advisory from 1st January. I would imagine that, as always, this will differ between testing stations. This was a main dealer MOT station so I would expect everything to be stringent. But i think if you have neither headlamp wash or self levelling suspension and older headlamps? then passing with HID's fitted might be tricky?
Shows that the Powers That Be think cars are just transport devices, shopping, kids to school, commute etc.
Time to get a real driving machine like a pre-1973 Porsche 911, no electronics, just need to pour loads of petrol into it (15mpg?or worse).Painted number plate? quite legal officer, read your damn construction and use 1970 edition. What about those Autofarm retros where they take a later (airbag etc.) car and make a longnose RS out of it?
As the late Alan Clark wrote, electronic gizmo failure will condemn lots of 30 year old classis to the scrapper, that's now your 1982 £4000 Bentley for scrap?
Time to get a real driving machine like a pre-1973 Porsche 911, no electronics, just need to pour loads of petrol into it (15mpg?or worse).Painted number plate? quite legal officer, read your damn construction and use 1970 edition. What about those Autofarm retros where they take a later (airbag etc.) car and make a longnose RS out of it?
As the late Alan Clark wrote, electronic gizmo failure will condemn lots of 30 year old classis to the scrapper, that's now your 1982 £4000 Bentley for scrap?
mogman888 said:
I am more concerned about the steering lock. Used to race the MORGAN +8 and still do the odd sprint and hillclimb. Steering lock is "broken" to comply with MSA rules. Had the car MOT'd this week. Unsure if it will get picked up next year on a 33 year old car. I will say locking steering was an optional extra.
Your car must have been first used on or after 1st September 2001 for the Steering Lock to be testable, so you have no worries (by about 21 1/2 years 
) on that score Sir 
.Original article was unacceptably lacking in the fine details - really not good enough
.I moved to the US ten years ago but kept a car in the UK that I have to have MOT'd. Seems to be more rules every few years, it takes longer and costs more. Over here the inspection is every two years once a car is four years old and all they do is connect the computer, check emissions system is okay; and that's it. No inspection of tyres, brakes, nothing. For my older Jag there is no inspection needed at all, so long as I say the car is for enthusiasts rallyies and 'education'; which I suppose it is.
Of course if you cause an accident with an unsafe car then expect to be in trouble, but otherwise happy motoring!!
Which system is best?
Of course if you cause an accident with an unsafe car then expect to be in trouble, but otherwise happy motoring!!
Which system is best?
What's interesting, and has been missed in much of this discussion, is that the Vosa statement refers to vehicles that have been "extensively modified" but only used track and race cars as an example. However, it was just that, only an example. IMHO that suggests that"extensive" modifications are not limited to track or race cars, nor to the modifications used in the example.
Fascinating thread! Interesting to hear about the "wheels must not rub on full lock". So that is a failure for all 2003-2007 Volvo S60R and V70R models, then - they did this from the factory! And yet mine never seems to have a problem with that, come MOT time...
As per the above comment, there is a LOT of discretion going on with the actual test centre.
As per the above comment, there is a LOT of discretion going on with the actual test centre.
jlt1000 said:
Fascinating thread! Interesting to hear about the "wheels must not rub on full lock". So that is a failure for all 2003-2007 Volvo S60R and V70R models, then - they did this from the factory! And yet mine never seems to have a problem with that, come MOT time...
As per the above comment, there is a LOT of discretion going on with the actual test centre.
VSI for the Volvo to pass with rubbing is the reason As per the above comment, there is a LOT of discretion going on with the actual test centre.
As per the ABS and other warning lights, it seems chaps that the light now has to indicate a fault, the cycle test has been removed from the MOT so I guess if you remove the bulb it can't show a fault..
Battery has to be secure, never did before.
Seats that are fixed are fine, the test is more to show the locking mech on adjustable seats works.
Modified cars need no steering lock
Cats must now be fitted, this is a problem, hard to turn a blind eye to this one as if we get spot checked it will be pretty obvious we let it go, hollow out the cat and there won't be a problem if it passes.
Please don't have a go at the testers, we have a set list of items we have to check, all the things in the test are checked under law, the reason the new stuff is taking so long is it has to go through parliment and be passed into law, the stuff we can check now like ball joint dust boots are an extension of a test we did already (play) so did not have to be sent to the clowns to be be agreed.
I have just done my refresher course so I am pretty up to date with what they are saying, any questions, ask
Athlon said:
...Cats must now be fitted, this is a problem, hard to turn a blind eye to this one as if we get spot checked it will be pretty obvious we let it go, hollow out the cat and there won't be a problem if it passes...
The regs say "On vehicles that qualify for a full cat emissions test, check the presence of the catalytic converter.".Would any car pass the cat test without a cat?
gareth_r said:
The regs say "On vehicles that qualify for a full cat emissions test, check the presence of the catalytic converter.".
So Single Vehicle Approval cars & Low Volume Type Approval cars which do not have CO2 figures and are tested as PLG vehicles are ok then? Or have I misunderstood that?gareth_r said:
Would any car pass the cat test without a cat?
Yes. If you have a very clever ECU that has multiple maps and one of the maps were to run the engine for minimum emissions as its top priority then it can be done. Or so I'm told. I have looked at page 4 of:
http://www.dvlni.gov.uk/Freedom%20of%20Information...
And read over it briefly.
What's the situation with 1990 and 1991 cars that came as standard with a catalytic converter?
The flowchart on page for says if first used before 31 July 1992 don't go to CAT TEST.
Would a 1990 or 1991 model that was first used before 31 July 1992 that only ever came with a Catalysed exhaust as OE fail the MoT on the visual inspection?
http://www.dvlni.gov.uk/Freedom%20of%20Information...
And read over it briefly.
What's the situation with 1990 and 1991 cars that came as standard with a catalytic converter?
The flowchart on page for says if first used before 31 July 1992 don't go to CAT TEST.
Would a 1990 or 1991 model that was first used before 31 July 1992 that only ever came with a Catalysed exhaust as OE fail the MoT on the visual inspection?
Have a look at this.
Part way down the page there is the title & heading:
[b]6.4 Exhaust Emissions - Spark Ignition - Non-Catalyst
Information [/b]
then the fifth (and final) paragraph in that section:
Early catalyst vehicles
The flowchart and notes on pages 5, 5a(i) and 5a(ii) must be carefully followed. Just because a vehicle is fitted with a catalyst does not necessarily mean a 'cat' test.
I can't find the flowchart(s) on that website (it is a typed copy of the "Tester's Guide" or similar anyway), and the written info is inconclusive .
However, the emissions limits for each model are the same as those specified by VOSA, so I would guess the same standards regarding presence of catalysts apply (in the same way) to England/Wales/Scotland as to Northern Ireland * ?
One thing to note (though you've already sussed this no doubt ) is that the NI government carry out all the testing at their own testing stations, which situation is totally different to that in England, Wales & Scotland.
* Usual rider - I could be wrong; if I am then someone please correct me, ta .
Part way down the page there is the title & heading:
[b]6.4 Exhaust Emissions - Spark Ignition - Non-Catalyst
Information [/b]
then the fifth (and final) paragraph in that section:
Early catalyst vehicles
The flowchart and notes on pages 5, 5a(i) and 5a(ii) must be carefully followed. Just because a vehicle is fitted with a catalyst does not necessarily mean a 'cat' test.
I can't find the flowchart(s) on that website (it is a typed copy of the "Tester's Guide" or similar anyway), and the written info is inconclusive
. However, the emissions limits for each model are the same as those specified by VOSA, so I would guess the same standards regarding presence of catalysts apply (in the same way) to England/Wales/Scotland as to Northern Ireland * ?
One thing to note (though you've already sussed this no doubt
) is that the NI government carry out all the testing at their own testing stations, which situation is totally different to that in England, Wales & Scotland.* Usual rider - I could be wrong; if I am then someone please correct me, ta
.Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff