THE MOT has changed

Business Insights
30/05/2018

In developments that will affect every driver, fleet manager and business owner, there have been some substantial changes as to what is tested during an MOT test and to the fault categories.


As all employers have a legal duty to ensure that every vehicle used in their business is safe and roadworthy without exception, even if it is owned by an employee and only used occasionally on business (grey fleet), the new test could have a substantial impact on any business that does not make maintenance of their own and their employees’ vehicles, if used for business, a priority.


All cars going through the MOT test will now have their faults judged against new Minor, Major and Dangerous Defect categories, with Major and Dangerous defects causing a car to automatically fail the test. Cars with Minor faults will pass the test, but their MOT certificates will clearly show that the car passed the test “with defects”, urging owners to effect a “repair as soon as possible”.


The new regulations will affect cars, vans, motorcycles and other light passenger vehicles.


Dangerous defects are a fail and are categorised as posing "a direct and immediate risk to road safety or having a serious impact on the environment." Dangerous faults must have the fault fixed at the garage where it was tested and must not be driven on public roads until it is.


Major defects will also lead to failure, as they "may affect the vehicle’s safety, put other road users at risk or have an impact on the environment." Major faults will need to be fixed before the car can pass its test but the driver is permitted to drive the car away to another garage to have the work done.


Minor defects won't cause a car to fail the test, and pose "no significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment". Nonetheless, owners will be advised that Minor issues should be repaired as soon as possible.


Minor defects are similar to advisory notices on the old MOT test.


Vehicle owners and fleet managers should be aware that the new MOT test is more rigorous and will test some new things including whether tyres are obviously underinflated. Braking systems will be thoroughly checked including whether the brake fluid has been contaminated and whether brake pads or discs are missing.


There will also be closer attention paid to steering systems and reversing lights. If the steering box appears to have a heavy leak or the reversing lights have blown bulbs or don’t work, then the car will automatically fail.


Before taking the vehicle in for test, it will save time to double check the following, because they will all be tested and for want of some basic maintenance generate a fail result.


  • Obviously underinflated tyres
  • Contaminated brake fluid
  • Fluid leaks posing an environmental risk
  • Brake pad warning lights and missing brake pads or discs
  • Reversing lights on vehicles first used from 1 September 2009
  • Headlight washers (if present) on vehicles first used from 1 September 2009
  • Daytime running lights on vehicles first used from 1 March 2018 - though this won't be relevant until 2021.


Emission tests have also become much tougher incorporating changes that lower the limits for diesel cars. The MOT inspection manual for the new test explains that if the “exhaust on a vehicle fitted with a diesel particulate filter emits visible smoke of any colour”, the car should be marked as having a Major defect, and fail its test.


Diesel particulate filters should be self-cleaning but can become clogged with soot, however it is possible to have them cleaned by a specialist, but make sure you choose a reputable technician who has the appropriate equipment and expertise.


Cars with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) will also fail if the device has been tampered with or is missing. A new DPF costs around £1,000 and drivers could be fined £1,000 if their car doesn’t have one.


Commenting on the changes, RAC spokesman Simon Williams said:

“While on the surface these changes, which are part of an EU Directive that came into force in May, seem like a sensible move, we fear many motorists could end up being confused.

“Rather than MOT failures simply being black and white, the new system creates the potential for confusion as testers will have to make a judgement as to whether faults are ‘Dangerous’, ‘Major’ or ‘Minor’.