5th Sep 2018 by Travis Mitchell

GOV.UK are constantly updating the regulations with MOT testing. For 2018 their are stricter rules for diesel car emissions and some vehicles over 40 years old becoming exempt. Is your garage up to date with testing and following these stricter guidelines? There are 5 main changes you need to know.

1. Defects are categorised differently.

• dangerous
• major
• minor

The category the MOT tester gives each item will depend on the type of problem and how serious it is.

MOT testers will still give advice about items you need to monitor. These are known as ‘advisories’.

What the new categories mean?

2. Stricter rules for diesel car emissions

There are 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 customers vehicles will receive a major fault if you can see smoke of any colour coming from the exhaust and/or finds evidence that the DPF has been tampered with.

3. Some new things are included in the MOT

Some new items are tested during the MOT, they include checking:

• if tyres are obviously under inflated
• if the brake fluid has been contaminated
• for fluid leaks posing an environmental risk
• brake pad warning lights and if brake pads or discs are missing
• reversing lights on vehicles first used from 1 September 2009
• headlight washers on vehicles first used from 1 September 2009 (if they have them)
• daytime running lights on vehicles first used from 1 March 2018 (most of these vehicles will have their first MOT in 2021 when they’re 3 years old)

4. New MOT test certificates

5. Some vehicles over 40 years old won’t need an MOT

A selection of cars, vans motorcycles and other passenger vehicles won't need to have an MOT if they're over 40 years old and have not been substantially changed. Now the rules have changed, vehicles won’t need an MOT from the 40th anniversary of when they were registered or manufactured. You can check the date the vehicle was registered online.

SOURCE: GOV.UK