MOT Changes as of Jan 2012

[Bailes1992]

I had my engine fall out of my 406 on one side.
If the MOT test checked theese then they'd have been done long before I owned the car.
Lucky I was only doing 30-40mph, aty 70 I think I would have lost it as the jolt from the engine was silly!

[sirwiggum]

Just how many accidents have been caused by duff engine mounts? None? Then why bother about them?

I was tempted to punt my 406 into a wall in stop-start traffic with lurching mounts and the garage could find nothing wrong with them

Only I wasn't fully comp.

[FarmerPug]

i dont have any issue with engine mounts, but if they need doing that will get me to have the clutch done as well, should be easier to renew them with the gearbox out.

[plod]

I definately don't fancy spending the supposed £420 on a full exhaust sytem with downpipe and cat for the plodmobile

Either the car goes, or some sort of box to look like a cat needs fitting

Although it feels hard to think of getting rid of the car
Ran faultlessly down to Devon, and I even managed to wheelspin it at 1500rpm going up the 1 in 4 of Porlock hill when the power kicked in
Actually, going around that area there is a number of 1 in 5 and 1 in 4 hills and I didn't need to boot it on any of them, just pulled like a train

Bit annoyed at the scratches that became visible after polishing, but going to take a punt on that stuff Lozz linked to in another thread

[sirwiggum]

Vehicle test procedures - Stage 1

On Arrival

Your appointment card tells you which inspection lane to go to. Drive to the appropriate lane and wait.
Present your car with the engine at normal operating temperature, this will require the engine to be kept running while waiting for the test to commence (outside test hall).
Familiarise yourself with the vehicle controls, all light switches, boot, bonnet, fuel cap operation etc.
Ensure any headlamp levelling device is set in the correct position for a vehicle without a load (usually a small wheel control on the dash which is numbered. In most cases the correct position will be at 0).
Please have the vehicle registration certificate, appointment card and previous MOT certificate (if applicable) readily available for examination.

On entering the inspection hall the vehicle details will be checked and entered into the computer (please have your registration certificate and previous test certificate if applicable ready to give to the examiner). The first test conducted will be the Smoke Test if it is a diesel car or exhaust emission test if it is a Spark Ignition (e.g. petrol) engined Car.
Smoke Test

The smoke emitted from Compression Ignition (diesel) engined vehicles is assessed for its density, it is carried out by the use of an approved and calibrated smoke meter. The engine will be accelerated up to governed speed and the density of the smoke measured. After the 3rd acceleration the average reading is recorded. If the reading is below 2.5m-1 for non-turbocharged engines or 3.0m-1 for turbocharged engines the vehicle will pass. However if the average is higher, a further acceleration is carried out and the average of the last 3 readings are used, this will continue until a maximum of 6 accelerations have been carried out. If the average of the 4th 5th and 6th acceleration is higher than the appropriate level the vehicle will not pass the test.

In addition to the smoke meter readings any of the following will result in the vehicle being refused a certificate:

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour, to an extent likely to obscure vision.
Emissions cannot be measured because a tail pipe is damaged or an accessory is fitted which prevents the insertion of the smoke meter probe.
Insufficient oil in the engine or low oil pressure which could cause engine damage if engine is accelerated.
Obvious signs of an engine defect such as an unusual noise or emission of smoke.
Obvious signs that the governors have been tampered with or not operating.

Note: it is important that vehicles are properly maintained (including changing of timing belts in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendation) and presented for test at normal working temperature.
Exhaust Emission

This test applies to all cars, taxis, minibuses and ambulances with up to 12 passenger seats, and other vehicles up to and including 3500 kg design gross weight (DGW), which are spark ignition engined with four or more wheels. Any of the following points will result in the vehicle being refused a certificate:

The engine is idling at a speed clearly above its normal idling speed.
The engine emits dense blue or clearly visible black smoke for a continuous period of 5 seconds at idle.
The engine emits dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration, which would obscure the view of other road users.
The emissions cannot be measured because the tailpipe is damaged or an accessory is fitted which prevents insertion of the analyser probe.
The exhaust gas contains one or more gases in excess of the required limits for the associated test.

The required limits are as follows

Vehicles first used prior to 1 August 1975 are exempt from a metered emission test. Vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1975 and before 1 August 1986:

Carbon monoxide (CO) 4.5% at idle
Hydrocarbons (HC) 1200ppm (parts per million)

Vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1986 and before 1 August 1992:

Carbon monoxide (CO) 3.5% at idle
Hydrocarbons (HC) 1200ppm

Vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1992 are tested to the manufacturers specific limits (there are a few exceptions to this rule depending on the fuel and vehicle type). While specific limits are too numerous to list the following is for guidance only:

Hydrocarbons (HC) 200ppm
Carbon monoxide (CO) 0.5% at idle
Carbon monoxide (CO) 0.3% at fast idle
Lambda: 0.97 - 1.03 Lambda (value of 1 for the optimum air/fuel ratio setting)

Note: It is important to remember the above figures can only be used as guidance as vehicle specific limits may be lower or higher.

Vehicles must be presented for test with the engine at normal working temperature. Therefore engine should be kept running on arrival at the test centre.
Under Bonnet Inspection

An under bonnet inspection is carried out at this stage (please be ready to release the bonnet catch when requested).

Also checked at this stage is:

Registration plates and vehicle identification number (VIN)
Power assisted steering
Engine transmission mounts
Mechanical brake components
Hydraulic, air and vacuum brake systems
Fuel system
General condition of the vehicle
Vehicle structural integrity and construction

Additional mirrors required on heavy goods vehicles

European Directive 2007/38/EC requires trucks over 3.5 tonnes and first registered on or after 1 January 2000 to be fitted with a wide angle mirror and a close proximity mirror; both mirrors are to be fitted on the nearside of the vehicle.

These additional mirrors are required to help drivers detect other road users in the areas immediately around their vehicles, thus reducing the potential for collisions.

The Driver & Vehicle Agency plan to test for the presence of these additional mirrors from November 2009, for more information.

Vehicle test procedures - Stage 2

Headlamp Alignment

You will be guided forward and requested to stop your car in front of the headlamp alignment equipment. At this stage you will be asked to operate your lights. The Headlight Alignment Test will be carried out.

Also at this stage the following items will be checked:

Headlamps
Direction indicators
Stop lamps
Rear reflectors
Seat belts
Seats
Windows and windscreen
Windscreen washers and wipers
Horn
Mirrors
Front and rear position lamps, registration plate lamps and rear fog lamp
Body condition
Doors, boot lid and bonnet
General condition of vehicle
Vehicle structural integrity and construction

Headlamp Alignment Testing Criteria

The most common type of headlamps fitted to vehicles are those known as European type headlamps which are checked for aim on the dip beam.

These headlamps have an asymmetric dipped beam pattern with a distinctive horizontal cut-off on the right, and a 15 degree wedge of light above the horizontal (the 'Kick up') towards the left.

Any of the following points will result in the vehicle being refused a certificate.

The beam pattern blurred and does not show a distinctive cut-off point.
The beam 'kick-up' is to the offside, i.e. The headlamp dips to the right.
The image break point is not between the vertical -2.0% line (blue vertical line) and the vertical 0% line (black vertical line).
Headlamp centres not more than 850mm above the ground. The beam horizontal cut-off line (pitch) is not between -0.5% and -2% line (red lines).

or

Headlamp centres more than 850mm above the ground. The beam horizontal cut-off line (pitch) is not between -1.25% and -2.75% line (green lines).

Note: There will be no opportunity to adjust headlamp alignment during the test. Levelling devices should be set for unladen condition, normally located on vehicle dash.

After the lights have been inspected you will be asked to leave your vehicle and open the fuel cap (this is to inspect the seal on the cap as many accidents have been caused by fuel spillages) and the car boot. The boot should be free of luggage to allow the examiner to inspect the boot floor and body structure. The examiner will then instruct you to take a seat in the passenger seat of your car.

The examiner will now drive your car forward to stage 3

Vehicle test procedures - Stage 3

Brake Test

At this stage you will be sitting beside the examiner as the brake test is carried out. There may be a slight jerk when the car wheels are placed in the brake rollers and when the brakes are applied, therefore it is advised that you wear your seat belt.
Interior Inspection

Also at this stage the drivers compartment will be inspected which will include:

Parking brake lever mechanism (hand brake)
Service brake control
ABS (Anti-lock braking system) warning light
Speedometer
Tell-tale lights for direction indicators and fog lamps
Disabled driver control if applicable
Driver controls
Steering control

Brakes Testing Criteria

Any one of the following points in relation to brake performance will result in a vehicle being refused a certificate:

Low braking effort recorded from the brake on any wheel, indicating clearly that the brake is not functioning correctly.
Significant braking effort recorded on roadwheels, even though the brake is not applied, indicating that a brake is binding.
Evidence of severe brake grabbing or judder as the service brake (foot brake) is applied.
The service braking efforts at the roadwheels do not increase at about the same rate when the service brake pedal is applied gradually.
The service braking efforts at the roadwheels do not reduce at about the same rate when the service brake pedal is released gradually.
The out-of-balance of the Service brakes on any axle, greater than 30%.
The Service brake efficiency is below 50%.
The Parking brake (hand brake) efficiency is below 16%.

When the brake test is complete the examiner will drive forward and stop in front of the hoist.

At this point you will be requested to leave the vehicle and go to the waiting area provided where you can observe your vehicle being inspected. Please remain in this area while your vehicle is being inspected, this is essential for your own safety.

Vehicle test procedures - Stage 4

Under Body Inspection

The examiner will drive your car forward to stage 4 and position it on the hoist.

An under body inspection will be carried out which will include:

Electrical wiring
Body condition
Steering system
Tyres
Road wheels and hubs
Suspension, wheel bearings and drive shafts
Shock absorbers
Oil leaks
Engine and transmission mounts
Transmission
Exhaust system
Mechanical brake components
Brake hydraulic, air and vacuum systems
Fuel system
Spare wheel and carrier
General condition of vehicle
Vehicle structural integrity and construction
The possibility of a road test taking place at the discretion of the Examiner

This list of items that are checked at each stage of the inspection are not exhaustive but identifies the main items subject to inspection.

[Catflem]

EU Directive

So when are they going to get around to standardising how often a car has to be MOT'd ?.

In the UK its every year, in France its every 2 years, as the French usually get their way with EU directives, I'm sure that we'll all look forward to only having an MOT done every 2 years.

[highlander]

The only change to the UK MOT frequency I'd like to see is scrapping the rule that new cars don't need an MOT until they're three years' old.

What, don't they think a car's tyre treads will wear down, its indicator bulbs will turn less orange, and the number plate bulbs will blow until 3 years have passed? All kinds of dangerous faults can occur through poor maintenance of a car within a three year period. An annual safety inspection is a good thing, if it's done properly.

Plus, nobody reminds you of your MOT due date (like the DVLA do with your tax disc). My colleague previously had a Suzuki Swift that she'd bought from new. 2 years and 10 months later she was panicking in case she'd missed her first MOT date. She eventually found the paperwork. Wouldn't it just be better if you had to get an MOT after the first year of the car's life?

[sirwiggum]

Northern Ireland MOTs, you must display an MOT disc:




Reminder letters also get sent out about 2 months before due date.

First test in NI is after 4 years, something that England-based fleet managers don't seem to understand.

Yearly though, same as GB MOTs.

(Republic of) Irish NCT is 2 years.

I think I would rather have piece of mind, and incremental fixes every year, rather than let a load of little jobs mount up and face a huge bill / potential scrapping on a 2 yearly MOT.

[Bailes1992]

Think of all the clueless people who never service their cars, ignore any knocking or strange noises etc.
A year is long enough to go, major faults could occur within a year. Let alone two!
Take my mum for instance, been driving around in the Focus with a buckled wheel, bent subframe and a nackered steering rack for atleast 6 months until she give it to me. The car drove like a pig and she didn't have a clue! It was knocking, clunking, vibrating, shuddering, wandering Lucky everything is 100% now but if she had it much longer I think something big would have failed.

[FarmerPug]

my mums clio went through last years mot and passed with a leaky rear brake, that caused the brakes not to work which was quite a severe safety problem.
But yet this year after getting all the brakes sorted, the engine running nicely, all seemed well and it failed with the headlight beam being just a bit iffy on one side, and it turned out just to be the bulb wasnt turned round so it didnt sit in the holder correctly.

[plod]

I heard they wanted to go to a 4-2-2 system
First mot at 4 years, then every two years
Maybe they are going very stringent to wipeout all the old rust buckets off the road to improve emissions at the same time

Personally I don't agree with it as over a two year period a lot can go wrong

A MOT states, a valid MOT isn't an indication of roadworthiness, but some people do nothing to their cars until the mot comes round and fix the errors to get it through and nothing for 12 months. Imagine that happening for two years

[Doggy]

That's what they do in France, (apart from the stringent initial check).

So watch yourself if you're over there....