The MOT test will change on 20 May 2018, with new defect types, stricter rules for diesel car emissions, and some vehicles over 40 years old becoming exempt.
The changes are being introduced as part of EU Directive 2014/45
For a vehicle to be driven on Great Britain's roads there are 2 main legal safety requirements for the vehicle.
Whilst they're connected, they're not the same thing, and they both have to be met independently.
So, even if a vehicle is roadworthy, it may not necessarily have an MOT (it isn't automatic – it needs to go to a garage and get one!).
And similarly, just because a vehicle has an MOT, it doesn't automatically mean it's roadworthy. It may have a defect that has come about after the MOT.
After 20th May the MOT test will no longer be "pass" or "fail".
Instead, each fault found during the test will be categorised as either
Major or Dangerous faults found during the test, are automatic fails.
A dangerous-graded fault means legally the vehicle cannot be driven on the roads without being repaired, this means a driver has to have that work completed there and then with the mechanic or have it recovered to another garage.
DVAS taken the opportunity to make the wording on the MOT failure documents clear in reminding motorists that driving a dangerous vehicle is illegal.
While it isn't an MOT Testers responsibility to try and physically stop customers from driving their vehicle, our testers will provide each customer with clear advice that they do have dangerous defects.
This all applies whether the vehicle has a current MOT or not. A dangerous vehicle should never be driven on the road.
Minor failures may still pass the test but all faults will be recorded on your car's MOT certificate and online record. Replacing the manual advisory given currently.
Item result | What it means about the item | 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 |
There will be stricter limits for emissions from diesel cars with a diesel particulate filter (DPF).
A DPF captures and stores exhaust soot to reduce emissions from diesel cars.
Your vehicle will get a major fault if the MOT tester:
Check your car's handbook if you don't know if your car has a DPF.
If you're not sure if it's been removed or tampered with our staff will be happy to assist, to check your car before an MOT.
They include checking:
There will be other smaller changes to how some items are checked.
Our MOT Testers will tell you at the time of MOT.
Current and new MOT certificate design
The current MOT test certificate (left) will change to a new style (right) to list the new types of defects.
The design of the MOT certificate will change.
It will list any defects under the new categories, so they're clear and easy to understand.
The service to check the MOT history of a vehicle will be updated to reflect the changes.
Cars, vans, motorcycles and other light passenger vehicles won't need to have an MOT if they're over 40 years old and have not been substantially changed in the previous 30 years.
At the moment, only vehicles first built before 1960 are exempt from needing an MOT.
When the rules change on 20 May 2018, vehicles meeting the criteria won't need an MOT from the 40th anniversary of when they were registered.
Example
If a car was first registered on 31 May 1978, it won't need an MOT from 31 May 2018.
Drivers won't have to apply to stop getting an MOT for their vehicle.
However, each time they tax their historic vehicle (even if they don't pay a fee), drivers will have to declare it meets the rules for not needing an MOT.
Drivers must still keep their vehicle in a roadworthy condition. They can be fined up to £2,500 and get 3 penalty points for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
An MOT is designed to check important parts on your vehicle to ensure your car meets the legal standards for safety and roadworthiness but does not cover the condition of engine, clutch or gearbox and cannot be used as a guarantee.
The maximum fees MOT centres can charge won't change, for cars (up to 8 seats) £54.85, you don't pay VAT on the fee.
In January 2018, the government decided to keep the age a vehicle needs its first MOT at 3 years, rather than extend it to 4 years.
You can get a free MOT reminder by text message or email a month before your MOT is due.
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.
Any questions or worries you can chat to Ian or Jack on the coming changes.