MOT test changes in 2018, what are they and how could they affect you?

From 20 May 2018 the MOT test is becoming stricter in a number of areas. The changes are being brought in to adhere to a European Union directive called the EU Roadworthiness Package.

Tighter scrutiny of diesel cars’ exhaust emissions and a check of their diesel particulate filters (DPFs) could cause more diesels to fail their MOT tests and land owners with costly repair bills. Other changes include renaming of the pass and fail categories to make them easier to understand.

How is the MOT test for diesel cars changing?

The most significant area for diesel car owners is stricter rules on the permissible level of emissions of cars fitted with a DPF. If a car’s exhaust emits visible smoke of any colour, it will fail the MOT test.

Testers are also required to check if diesel cars’ DPFs have been tampered with or removed. If there are visible signs of this, the tester must refuse to test the car unless the owner can provide a legitimate reason for it having been removed, such as for cleaning. It’s already illegal to drive a vehicle that has had its DPF removed.

What else is changing on the MOT test?

Three other areas that have the potential to cause serious accidents will also be scrutinised more closely than before on all types of car. Testers will check steering systems; a steering box with a heavy leak will now result in a MOT failure. Reversing lights that don’t work or have blown bulbs and brake discs that are “significantly or obviously worn” will also result in an automatic fail.

In addition, faults will now be categorised as minor, major or dangerous. Minor faults are comparable to the current advisory notices written on test certificates for items that aren’t serious enough for the car to fail its test but will need to be fixed at some point.

Major faults will need to be repaired for the car to pass the test, but the car can be driven away from the test centre to another garage for the work to be done.

Dangerous faults result in a test failure, and the car cannot be driven on a public road until it’s fixed. If you’re caught driving a car with a dangerous fault, you could get a fine of up to £2500 and three penalty points on your licence.

For example, should the steering wheel be loosely secured and likely to become detached, that would be regarded as a dangerous fault and cause for test failure, requiring immediate attention.

How will the changes affect you?

If you’re buying a diesel car, check if it has a DPF; all post-2010 cars will. If it does, ask if it’s had any problems and check the dashboard for an orange warning light. If this is illuminated, it means the DPF is becoming blocked. Don’t buy a car with this warning light on, because a new DPF will cost several hundred pounds.If you own a diesel car with a DPF that has been replaced or repaired you’ll need to show evidence of this to the MOT tester.

Drivers can be fined £1000 if they are found to be driving without a valid MOT certificate. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency revealed last year that more than a quarter of cars are overdue for their MOT test in the UK.

Drivers can now get a free annual text message or email four weeks before their car’s MOT is due. The service is free and simple to apply for online and was developed after feedback from drivers.

Research revealed that around three-quarters of the motorists who were late for their MOT had actually forgotten the date.

What are the most common MOT fail items?

Blown light bulbs, worn out windscreen wipers and tyres with too little tread depth account for nearly 50% of failures, so it’s well worth checking these areas before taking your car for its MOT.

It’s also worth regularly checking the car for leaks – this is easy to do by looking on the ground under the car for oil or other fluids that may have come from the car.

Our top 10 reveals the most common reasons why cars fail their MOT test and simple tips to help you check these items before taking the test.

1. Brake lights

With the car’s ignition turned on, press the brake pedal and ask someone to check that the brake lights come on. You can also do this on your own by reversing the car up to a wall and looking over your shoulder.

2. Fuel and fuel cap

The filler cap needs to close securely and your car needs enough fuel in its tank for the tester to carry out emissions checks, so don’t go for an MOT test with the car running on empty.

3. Headlights and indicators

Check all the lights work properly, including full and dipped beam headlights, rear and side lights, hazard lights and all four indicators.

4. Horn

Beep it to ensure it works properly.

5. Numberplates

Ensure that both plates are clean and legible and check that the light above the rear numberplate is working.

6. Suspension

Press down heavily on each front wing of your car; if the car bounces up and down instead of returning to the right position, the shock absorbers may be worn.

7. Seat and seatbelts

Check that the driver’s seat slides back and forth smoothly, and look for fraying or damage on the seatbelts and give each one a good tug to ensure that it pings back as it should.

8. Wheels and tyres

Check all four wheels and the sidewalls of the tyres for damage; bulges, cracks and gouges out of the tyres are all fail items. Next, check the tyre tread depth is above the legal limit of 1.6mm; if your tyres have tread depth indicators, check that the tread hasn’t worn down to the level of the indicator. Alternatively, you can put a 20 pence coin into the area between the tread; if the raised part of the coin is above the tread, the tyre is too worn.

9. Windscreen

Check for chips and cracks; any crack larger than 40mm iwill result in a fail, and any crack or chip covering 10mm or more in the area the windscreen wipers clean is also a fail item.

10. Windscreen wipers

Check for splits or perishing on all wipers, and check that they clear the screens properly when they’re used. Also check and top up the screen wash if necessary.

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