On the 20th of May, new regulations will come into force that will see new categories, from minor to dangerous, applied to vehicles during their MOT tests. This comes after an EU directive aiming to ensure that all cars meet their Roadworthiness Package standards and could potentially affect thousands of drivers across the UK.
Cars, vans, motorbikes and other light passenger vehicles will all be held to these new categories. Meaning that any major or dangerous issues will result in automatic failure.
The changes include:
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Stricter tests for diesel vehicles
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Much stricter emissions limits for diesel cars fitted with a diesel particulate filter. With any form of exhaust smoke will be classed as a major fault, resulting in an automatic failure
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New items will be checked in your MOT such as; tyre inflation levels, checking brake fluid for contamination, any fluid leakage, brake pad warning lights and missing discs.
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Vehicles first in use from the 1st of September 2009 will need to have their reverse lights and headlight washers checked and vehicles first used from the 1st of March 2018 will have their daytime running lights checked.
Currently, vehicles built before 1960 are exempt from needing an MOT, this will change when the new regulation comes into place. From May 20th any vehicle over 40 years old that has not been altered substantially will be MOT exempt.
Non-roadworthy vehicles can face fines up to £2,500 as well as three points on your license.
To read the full list of changes take a look at our blog post that goes over the MOT changes in 2018, or book your next MOT in Nottingham at Lindleys Autocentres.
