New Mot Rules...will Your Car Pass?

[G4VHD]

On 1 January 2012, new rules were added to the current MOT by the Department for Transport (DfT) to comply with European testing procedures.

It's a pretty substantial list, but there's one which could mean big bills for thousands of drivers. If your car has any illuminated warning lamps, whether it is the airbag, seatbelt, ESP, SRS, ABS or others, it will soon fail the MOT.

It's not all bad news. If your car's MOT runs out before the 31 March 2012 and you have a warning light that needs addressing, the testers will treat it as an 'advisory', i.e. advice on what needs to be done for the next MOT.

However, if your MOT is due after 1 April 2012, you better get your skates on and get the warning light (or other faults in the list below) fixed, otherwise you'll receive the dreaded red fail sheet.

The AA has kindly published a summary of the new rules. If you think your car needs attention on any of the points below but still has a long MOT left, we recommend getting it seen to sooner rather than later.

The main changes from 2012

Electronic parking brake

Electronic parking brake controls are now included and must be present and not inappropriately repaired or modified - repair obviously likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle or modification that has seriously weakened the component.

(The 'inappropriately repaired or modified' check is to be applied to a wide range of systems and components throughout the vehicle.)

The car will fail if an Electronic Parking Brake warning lamp is illuminated to indicate a malfunction.

Electronic Stability Control

Checks of anti-lock brakes will be extended to include Electronic Stability Control if fitted. The tester will check for the presence and correct operation of the ESC malfunction warning light together with looking for obviously missing, excessively damaged or inappropriately repaired or modified components and electrical wiring, as well as an ESC switch missing, insecure or faulty.

Warning lights

As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;

Headlight main beam warning light

Electronic power steering warning light

Brake fluid level warning light

Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light

Airbag warning light

Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light

Steering & suspension

The new test includes a check on the presence and correct function of the steering lock where fitted as standard.

Missing, or split/damaged dust covers on steering and suspension ball-joints will result in failure if they will allow dirt to enter the joint.

Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir.

Lighting

Products on the lens or light source that obviously reduce the light's intensity or change its colour will become a reason for failure – applies to front/rear position lamps, registration plate lamps, stop lamps, rear fog and direction indicators,

Headlight requirements are updated to take account of the particular characteristics of High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps.

HID headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high so car manufacturers must fit headlamp cleaning and levelling systems. A car will fail if a mandatory headlamp cleaning or levelling system is missing, doesn't work or is obviously defective.

Vehicles fitted with aftermarket HID systems must also be fitted with properly working washer and levelling systems.

If a headlamp bulb is not seated correctly the resulting beam pattern will be indistinct and this will result in a test fail.

Electrical wiring and battery

An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as will a battery that is leaking electrolyte.

Visible wiring that is insecure, inadequately supported or likely to cause a short will also result in a failure as will wires bared by damaged insulation.

Trailer/caravan electrical socket

There will be a basic security/damage check of 7-pin sockets,

13-pin sockets will be subject to a full electrical connectivity check and incorrectly connected or inoperative circuits will result in failure.

Tyres

Tyre pressure monitoring systems fitted to vehicles first registered after 1 January 2012 must be working correctly and not indicating a malfunction.

Supplementary restraints

The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective.

A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure.

Seatbelt load limiters that are missing where fitted as standard or folding webbing type limiters that have obviously deployed are also reasons for failure.

The vehicle will also fail if an SRS malfunction light is missing, not working or indicating a fault.

Speedometer

The car will fail if a speedometer is not fitted, is incomplete, inoperative, has a dial glass broken/missing or cannot be illuminated.

Seats

It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft.

Doors

A rear door that cannot be opened from the outside using the relevant control is a new reason for failure.

Doors must be easy to open and close – hinges, catches and pillars will be inspected.

Towbars

Inappropriate repair or modification to the towbar assembly will be a reason for failure if judged likely to affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle/trailer.

Exhaust

A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure.

Fuel system

Damaged or chafed fuel pipes will result in failure.

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Oh, bugger !! Me AirBag light is on.... Scrapyard it is then, Arr Arr Arrrr.

I suppose they're just gearing up to the 24mth MOT :huh:

[prestige interiors]

Just got my mot by the time I read all that it be run out again lol !!

[BigAl]

Does not affect me yet as car is 11 plate. :D

[heath85]

Damn it, my cars due in may and the mrs 1 series is june and its got loads of damn lights on!! :(

[G4VHD]

I got airbag light on...common fault.

Might get away with it as my MOT tester drives an E46 too

[heath85]

Haha, good point, i've got a mate whos a mot tester, soon to be my new best friend :)

Think the mrs car has brake sensor and airbag lights out!

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Yeah, I think the localised garage blokes are wise to this and will STILL use common sense, eh?

[stevieb73]

Got the ABS warning light on mine, but it's been on for ages, and my MOT is due before 31st March thank goodness. Gives me a 12 month extension! lol

[Snypa-D]

Nothing that a 'handshake' wont sort ;)

[stevieb73]

;)

lol yes mate!

I was in your town last week! My step daughters boyfriend had seen a Polo GTI he had seen in Luton, and wanted to go look at it. Thank god he didnt! mind u I feel sorry for the person who does. After 10 minutes of thinking this aint right I checked to see how much he had left on his pads and discs, and the first one i touched the pad was loose, and rattling.

I swiftly got up and said it's time to leave mate! lol

[IanIOM]

Ready for my Rant, Take a seat lady and gents,

On the I.O.M if the car was registered new on the IOM car, then it does not require an MOT, EVER! However if you have an accident then the car will be inspected, as a general rule the cars tend to be in excellent condition. However there are some right death traps about.

If the car is imported it will go through the same test which is being introduced into in the UK this year, once it passes it never needs another MOT. My e39 has the Air bag light on and it has done for the last 5 years. I have kept it UK reg as it has a private plate on it(sad I know), however I think in June this will prompt me to put it on Manx plates.

Guess I will have to fix the airbag light now!

I don’t really think this is a daft set of rules, the 24 month MOT however it stupid some people have no idea how to look after cars!

[andy-mcq]

From 1st of april you say :-P

[Caz]

Air bag light has been on on mine for the last 2 years but MOT it due in March so ok for now. They tried to put it out last service but couldnt!! Also got a warning on last MOT for something but cant remember what it was.. will have to have a look

[andy-mcq]

Bit of tape over the light. Sorted. They cant remove the tape and its only a visual check anyway

[Ben328]

Just another way of the powers that be making more money out of us..

Ben

[mr metatarsal]

just getting the pushbike out of the shed.

[pete525d]

My handbrake is shoking think I will need to adjust it lol

[Jayzzle]

o.0

[Jayzzle]

Gav - You said about Illuminated Warning Lamps, does this include the "Oil Service" warning lamp at the bottom of the dials? I don't know what other years it is on but it's on my E30. Thanks. John

[Jayzzle]

Can't we stop them from spamming that poo? It's really annoying >.< Anyway, I was just curious about Steering Locks, as to why they need to be operational to pass an MoT. I am slightly concerned about this, as mine does not work, and I had no intention of getting it repaired or repairing it, it doesn't cause me any problems while I am driving so I'm not bothered. However now I see this I am worried about it. Any thoughts about this bit?