Biggest MOT Shake Up In Years. . .

[Architex_mA8tey]

From 1st Jan 2012 next year the following items are being added to the MOT Test -

• Airbags
• Brake Fluid Warning Light
• Catalytic Converter
• Condition of All Visible Wiring
• Condition of Battery
• Electric Seat Adjustment Motor
• Electronic Parking Brake
• Electronic Stability Control
• High Intensity Discharge Headlamps
• Power Steering
• Seatbelt Pre-Tensioners
• Trailer/Caravan Electrical Socket
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

The big issue you need to be aware of is that the rules don't only apply to new vehicles or systems that came as standard, they apply to ANY vehicle that has these items fitted.

It is likely that the MOT will take 5 minutes longer and that will eventually mean the price rising eventually to cover it although not initially.

[Mkoneman]

wiring has always worried me some of the stuff i see people have done to old vw make me cringe and wonder how it hasn't gone up in flames. good news for people like me who fix the wiring lol

[surveysteve]

With the cat, I suppose all you need do is have it in location and the core could be taken out.
I was looking to buy a modded S2, dont thinkI'll bother now as it has an aftermarket exhaust and down pipe fitted. Cant be bothered with the trouble of mucking about every year fitting the standard one back on for the test.

[Singh]

Yeah you would have to gut the cats, fit race cats or find a friendly tester. Tyre pressure monitoring came with my RS 6, it fails all the time apparently. Wonder how they would test the ESP, drive the car like a nutter or just make sure the ESP light isn't on?

[A8 Doc]

No DPF testing as they threatened. That's cos they can't LOL!

[billblank]

hmmm, so if air bags are older than the build sticker/plate on B post ( I think) says they should be you need a new set?

That would effectively write off most '8s when they reach that point I assume due to cost of replacement.

Oh dear.

[ainarssems]

From VOSA:

The car/light goods vehicle MOT test is about to change – the European Commission has changed the Directive that covers it. We take a look at when these changes are likely to come into effect and what they mean for MOT testers.

Britain has been testing vehicles under the MOT scheme for 50 years now. Last year, the European Directive covering the MOT test was updated and revised by a modern version called 2009/40/ EC. This was then updated by 2010/48/EU, which was ratified on 5 July this year.

The new Directive keeps the EU minimum 4-2-2 test frequency but adds a number of new elements to the British MOT test. The Directive anticipates all test changes being in place by 1 January 2012, and a common European approach to test certificates in place by 1 January 2014. So what is VOSA doing to introduce the changes?

In terms of test frequency, in mid-July the coalition government confirmed that it intends ‘to look at the issue of MOT test frequencies later this year’. VOSA contributed statistical data to inform the last review in 2008, and we expect that our computer system and the data you have entered will be utilised again in much the same way.

We expect to hear more details of the government’s review proposals later in the year.

As far as changes to the test content are concerned, VOSA has already been analysing the requirements of the new Directive and working out how to implement them. We started this earlier in the year by talking with representatives of the MOT trade at our regular Trade User Group and VTS Council meetings.

Both VOSA and the Department for Transport (DfT) are keen to ensure that any changes to the test are introduced in as practical a way as possible, keeping the burden on the trade to a minimum and ideally keeping the changes cost neutral.

In many cases, the changes shouldn’t necessarily lead to an increase in average test times. A good example is the malfunction indicator lamps on the dashboard that indicate defective electronic power steering, electronic stability control and secondary restraint systems. Testers already check the dashboard for other lamps, so no extra time would be required for this addition to the test.

Electrical wiring and batteries are now included in the test’s scope, but testers already check the vehicle structure where wiring is secured – often along the same routes as other testable items, such as brake pipes in the engine compartment. So again, this doesn’t look like an additional burden on the tester.

In the pre-computerisation days, testers often (wrongly) failed vehicles for insecure batteries, so they must have been looking at them then! Now, it means that when we implement the new Directive, vehicles can legitimately fail for battery insecurity, for no extra tester effort.

Other items – such as headlamp bulb and unit incompatibility, headlamp levelling devices and illegal engine ‘chipping’ – will need further thought before we can get a workable solution for MOT stations.

Some of the new items may require extra effort on the part of the tester – when we know for sure what that is we’ll be talking again with our trade and DfT colleagues to work out what the impact will be.

The common EU test certificate should be relatively easy to achieve – the only data that the Directive expects and that we don’t currently provide is the symbol for the vehicle’s country of origin. Probably 99% of vehicles tested will have ‘UK’ entered here, but if you do test vehicles with a foreign plate, you will need to enter the correct country symbol. We may even be able to make this change earlier if there is a convenient opportunity.

The MOT trade can rest assured that VOSA is working closely with you to introduce any new elements as efficiently and effectively as possible, with the minimum of fuss. Just as importantly, we are also working closely with Siemens to ensure that any system changes due on New Year’s Eve 2011 go smoothly! We should know more by the time the MOT seminars take place – come along and ask the experts.

[Singh]

Originally Posted by billblank

hmmm, so if air bags are older than the build sticker/plate on B post ( I think) says they should be you need a new set?

That would effectively write off most '8s when they reach that point I assume due to cost of replacement.

Oh dear.

Very good point.

[Architex_mA8tey]

what worries me is that if certain garages wanted to find something to fail you on that they now have even more areas to keep looking until they find something that fits the bill. At a time of austerity - for the EU to make things even more onerous and possibly costly doesnt seem quite right

[ainarssems]

Originally Posted by billblank

hmmm, so if air bags are older than the build sticker/plate on B post ( I think) says they should be you need a new set?

That would effectively write off most '8s when they reach that point I assume due to cost of replacement.

Oh dear.

Just buy a new sticker an put it on car with a date of replacement