How do the MOT changes effect you?
Motorists gear up for your MOT changes
The MOT test changed on 20th May 2018 for the first time in a long time! So, these MOT changes mean that there are now new defect types, stricter rules for diesel car emissions and some classic cars aged 40 years and above have become exempt!
The changes affect you most if you are the owner of a diesel car, van or vehicle.
There are 5 main changes you need to know.
1. Defects are categorised differently
Now, any defects found during the MOT test can be categorised in 3 ways to show how dangerous they really are, and not all of them will mean a fail. The category we MOT testers give each item will depend on your vehicle’s problem and how serious it is.
What do the new categories mean?
Here’s a quick summary of how the MOT changes have affected your MOT certificate and what it will now show:
| Item result | What it means about the item | How it affects your MOT result |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous | A direct and immediate risk to road safety or has a serious impact on the environment. Do not drive the vehicle until it’s been repaired. | Fail |
| Major | It may affect the vehicle’s safety, put other road users at risk or have an impact on the environment. Repair it immediately. | Fail |
| Minor | No significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment. Repair as soon as possible. | Pass |
| Advisory | It could become more serious in the future. Monitor and repair it if necessary. | Pass |
| Pass | It meets the minimum legal standard. Make sure it continues to meet the standard. | Pass |
2. Stricter rules for diesel cars
If you drive a diesel car then you may be hit the hardest! There are now much stricter limits for emissions from diesel cars, in particular, those with a diesel particulate filter (DPF).
But what is A DPF? This filter captures and stores exhaust soot to reduce emissions from your diesel engine, Check your car’s handbook if you don’t know if your car has a DPF or ask us,
Your car will get a major fault if our MOT Tester finds the following:
- smoke of any colour coming from the exhaust
- your DPF has been removed or tampered with
3. Some new things are included in the MOT
There is some good news about this MOT change! We Yorkshire folk love getting value for money. So you will be glad to learn that our MOT testers will now test some additional bits! On top of the previous MOT checks we will now also check:
- if tyres are underinflated
- your brake fluid for contamination
- your brake pad warning lights and if any brake pads or discs are missing
- reversing lights on most vehicles
- headlight washers on most vehicles (if they have them)
- daytime running lights on newer 2018 vehicles (although, most of these vehicles will have their first MOT in 2021 when they’re 3 years old)
4. The MOT certificate will change
Don’t be surprised when you see your next MOT certificate as along with the MOT changes this has also been updated. The MOT certificate itself is now much more transparent. So, any defects, passes or fails will now be much clearer and easier to understand.
5. Some vehicles over 40 years old won’t need an MOT
Great news -if your car, van or motorhome is over 40 years old and not had any major alterations then you won’t need to have an MOT. Until now, only vehicles first built before 1960 were exempt from needing an MOT. However, the rules have changed so pretty much all vehicles won’t need an MOT from the 40th anniversary of when you registered it or when it was manufactured. You can check the date the vehicle was registered online.
However, each time you tax your historic vehicle (even if you don’t pay), you’ll have to declare it meets the rules for not needing an MOT.
If you want any further advice about your MOT or how the MOT changes affect you then just get in touch.
