If you own a car in the UK, it’s essential to know about the new MOT test changes that came into effect on May 20th, 2018. The changes have come into being to improve road safety and reduce the number of dangerous vehicles on the road. This article will explain what the new MOT test changes are, how they affect you, and what you need to do to ensure your vehicle passes the MOT test. You can additionally Book MOT Oswestry from our facility.
What are the new MOT test changes?
The new MOT test changes apply to cars, vans, motorcycles, and other light passenger vehicles. There are five key changes to the test:
- Stricter emissions tests – Diesel vehicles will now have stricter limits for emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Vehicles that emit visible smoke of any colour will also automatically fail the test.
- New defect categories – Defects found during the MOT test will have three categories – either dangerous, major, or minor. Vehicles with dangerous or major defects will automatically fail the test.
- New items checked – Additional items go under check during the MOT test, including:
- Brake pad warning lights and missing brake discs or pads on vehicles first used from March 2013
- Daytime running lights on vehicles first used in March 2018
- Changes to the MOT certificate – The design of the MOT certificate has changed. The new certificate will list any defects found under the new defect categories.
- Stricter rules for diesel cars – If your vehicle has a diesel particulate filter (DPF), it will automatically fail the MOT test if there is evidence that the DPF gets tampered with or removed.
How do the changes affect you?
If you own a car, van, or motorcycle, the new MOT test changes will affect you. You will need to ensure that your vehicle meets the new emissions standards and has no dangerous or major defects. You should also be aware of the new items that will go under check during the MOT test, particularly if you own a newer vehicle.
If your vehicle fails the MOT test, you will need to have the defects repaired and the vehicle retested. You may also need to pay for any repairs needed to pass the test. It’s essential to ensure that your vehicle is in good condition before taking it for the MOT test to avoid the hassle and expense of failing the test.
What do you need to do?
To ensure your vehicle passes the MOT test, you should:
- Check your vehicle’s emissions – Diesel vehicle owners should ensure that their vehicles meet the new emissions standards. You can check your vehicle’s emissions by taking it for a service or using a specialist emissions testing service.
- Check your vehicle’s defects – Before taking your vehicle for the MOT test, you should check for any defects that could cause it to fail the test. Common defects include worn brakes, faulty lights, and damaged tyres.
- Service your vehicle – Regular servicing can help ensure that your vehicle is in good condition and is less likely to fail the MOT test. You should follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule.
- Use a reputable garage – When taking your vehicle for the MOT test, you should use a reputable garage that you trust. A good garage will carry out a thorough inspection of your vehicle and advise you of any defects before the test.
How can one pass the updated MOT examination?
Keeping your car in good working order is now more critical than it has ever been.
It is conceivable that some test failures will occur more often than others. A few examples of this include a tyre’s tread thickness dropping under the limit of 1.6 millimetres, brake pads that have worn down to a thickness of lower than 1.5 millimetres, and poorly focused spotlights. You may steer clear of the most typical errors by following a few simple steps.
In the same way that you should replace your tyres as they get worn, you should also replace your braking fluid regularly, preferably once every two years. Not only is this important to get through the new MOT, but it is also essential to ensure the security of your car. When the brake fluid is old, it may become more porous and draw water in from the environment. When you apply pressure to the brakes, this warms up, causing it to convert to vapour and resulting in mushy pedals and less stopping power.
If the window wipers do not produce sufficient liquid to clean the windscreen when used in combination using the windscreen wipers, your vehicle will not pass the MOT as required by the new requirements. To prevent this from happening, fill the container that holds your car’s windscreen wash liquid. This is specially prepared to provide maximum vision by effectively eliminating road film and grime in a short amount of time. It also avoids severe sun glare.
If you operate a diesel vehicle and put a lot of miles on your car, you should pay attention to the alert lights for the diesel particulate filter (DPF). They serve as an early warning system for soot-induced diesel particulate filter clogging. It is possible to clean and restart the filter by making use of a particular DPF cleaner either when the indicator light turns on or as an ongoing preventive step. You will end up conserving time, cash, and worry with this decision. To avoid any issues from developing, you need to add it to your vehicle’s gasoline tank.
Any questions you may have about the MOT will be gladly answered by our staff. Book MOT Oswestry from our facility today.
