Beware - New MOT Rules coming!

[Singvogel]

I've started this thread to explore what folks know about the new MOT proposals.

I'm hearing rumours about cats, EGR by-passes, headlights, aerodynamics, chips, tuning-boxes and non standard ECU mapping.

This is either scaremongering or the biggest problem for years.

Anyway it's all due to kick off in January.

I just got a new MOT cert myself a couple of weeks ago, but anyone who needs to have a test in Jan or Feb might be well advised to get it tested early.

Comments, please.

[James_Death]

Lots of scare mongering, most wont be taken up as will take too long and needs more specialised equipment.

Test cannot take more time than already does, main things are the Hid conversions and will be biggest fail point this is mainly with the home install kits.

The chipping etc is not such an issue, however the legality etc is simply down to the fact that if you have not declared the chipping your not insured essentially.

Most chips and re maps actually improve emissions....

Wiring from auxiliary installs could be an issue but if all taped up and not dangling all over not an issue, the battery security is already done anyway.

Oh i thing the warning lights are more of an issue now also, could see them getting there bulbs removed etc if it does become an issue, still no more news about the bi annual MOt that was mentioned to bring inline with Europe.

However i think the pre 1963 cars are going to be MOT exempt as its felt if these are still running there owners keep them road worthy anyway.

[Dashiel]

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MoT%20-%20Issue%2050%20-%20May%202011.pdf

[Dashiel]

And the last word on the matter, from the testers manual :

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MOT%20Inspection%20Manual.pdf

for xenon see section 1.7

I quote :
'Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge
(HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted
with headlamp washers and a suspension or
headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work;
however, it is accepted that it may not be possible
to readily determine the functioning of self levelling
systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt
must be given. '

[James_Death]

Mine are proper Rover Xenons and tester had to adjust alignment by hand.

The first question was are they hids?

To which i informed him they were the proper Rover Units and had no issues then.

[courier118]

How do they stand on an official Factory Remap?

[James_Death]

Thanks Dashiel...:bowdown:

Knew they were out there and had seen them before, thanks for linking...:bowdown:

[James_Death]

How do they stand on an official Factory Remap?

Cant see any issue but the official testers will confirm....

The fact you need to hook up different stuff for testing these issues of remaps i cant see it happening.... But im not a tester....:D

[Dashiel]

Mine are proper Rover Xenons and tester had to adjust alignment by hand.

The first question was are they hids?

To which i informed him they were the proper Rover Units and had no issues then.

that sums up the approach that testers will take. if the headlights are factory fitted and there are no dashboard warning lights alerting a fault -> they will pass them.
there is nothing to worry about here for us.

[Jules]

I for one would welcome more stringent tests on non OE headlamps.
The number of times I've been dazzled by dipped beam blue tinged lamps is beyond a joke and just dangerous.

[stocktake]

Interesting wording

Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge
(HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted
with headlamp washers and a suspension or
headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work;

Being involved with regulations in my trade the word may is the get out, it is not even a should and certainly not a must

[suzublu]

Interesting wording

Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge
(HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted
with headlamp washers and a suspension or
headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work;

Being involved with regulations in my trade the word may is the get out, it is not even a should and certainly not a must
That's how i read it Dave,if fitted,should work,if not fitted,can't be tested so should be no problem:shrug:

[T-Cut]

So I can fit HIDs to my projectors without all the associated parafanalia. (??)

TC

[suzublu]

So I can fit HIDs to my projectors without all the associated parafanalia. (??)

TC
That's how i read it:shrug:

[cattytown]

Passing an MOT and being legal are not the same thing. HIDs without levelling and washers breach C&U regs.

Paul.

[stocktake]

Don't disagree with that, the issue is the change in the MOT inspection guidance, the wording used has given the MOT tester no guidance whatsoever. Its just a fact the way it is worded is a cop out creating a loop hole that could have been closed. :)

[Singvogel]

Anyone any info / opinion / news on whether a missing / removed / gutted cat on a diesel would be a fail?

What about tuning boxes or re-maps?

Rumours abound about all sorts of non-original add-ons are going to be targeted in a bid to bring all EU country tests into line.

If these new regs are due in Jan 2012 it's high time the public were informed about it.

Or is it my fault for not reading newspapers any more.

[courier118]

There are to be some changes to the MOT test from 1st January 2012 which are being introduced in response to European Commission Directive 2010/48/EU of the 5th July 2010 and which will effect those with aftermarket HID headlights and remapped ECUs:

4.1.4 Compliance with requirements:
(a) Lamp, emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
(b) Products on lens or light source which obviously reduce light intensity or change emitted colour
© Light source and lamp not compatible

4.1.5. Levelling devices (where mandatory):
(a) Device not operating.
(b) Manual device cannot be operated from driver’s seat.

4.1.6 Headlamp cleaning device (where mandatory):
Device not operating.

For anyone with a remap, section 6.1.9 may be relevant.

6.1.9 Engine performance:
(a) Control unit illegal modified.
(b) Illegal engine modification.

(by 'illegal', it is assumed that they mean changed/programmed differently from OEM specifications)

There will also be a new check on the general condition of the wiring:

4.11. Electrical wiring
(a) Wiring insecure or not adequately secured.
(b) Wiring deteriorated.
© Damaged or deteriorated insulation

and on the function of airbag and seat belt pre-tensioner systems:

7.1.4. Safety belt Pre-tensioners:
Pre-tensioner obviously missing or not suitable with the vehicle.

7.1.5. Airbag:
(a) Airbags obviously missing or not suitable with the vehicle.
(b) Airbag obviously non-operative.

7.1.6. SRS Systems:
SRS MIL indicates any kind of failure of the system.

Originally Posted by VOSA
The car/light goods vehicle MOT test is about to change – the European Commission has changed the Directive that covers it. We take a look at when these changes are likely to come into effect and what they mean for MOT testers.
Britain has been testing vehicles under the MOT scheme for 50 years now. Last year, the European Directive covering the MOT test was updated and revised by a modern version called 2009/40/ EC. This was then updated by 2010/48/EU, which was ratified on 5 July this year.
The new Directive keeps the EU minimum 4-2-2 test frequency but adds a number of new elements to the British MOT test. The Directive anticipates all test changes being in place by 1 January 2012, and a common European approach to test certificates in place by 1 January 2014. So what is VOSA doing to introduce the changes?
In terms of test frequency, in mid-July the coalition government confirmed that it intends ‘to look at the issue of MOT test frequencies later this year’. VOSA contributed statistical data to inform the last review in 2008, and we expect that our computer system and the data you have entered will be utilised again in much the same way.
We expect to hear more details of the government’s review proposals later in the year.
As far as changes to the test content are concerned, VOSA has already been analysing the requirements of the new Directive and working out how to implement them. We started this earlier in the year by talking with representatives of the MOT trade at our regular Trade User Group and VTS Council meetings. Both VOSA and the Department for Transport (DfT) are keen to ensure that any changes to the test are introduced in as practical a way as possible, keeping the burden on the trade to a minimum and ideally keeping the changes cost neutral.
In many cases, the changes shouldn’t necessarily lead to an increase in average test times. A good example is the malfunction indicator lamps on the dashboard that indicate defective electronic power steering, electronic stability control and secondary restraint systems. Testers already check the dashboard for other lamps, so no extra time would be required for this addition to the test.
Electrical wiring and batteries are now included in the test’s scope, but testers already check the vehicle structure where wiring is secured – often along the same routes as other testable items, such as brake pipes in the engine compartment. So again, this doesn’t look like an additional burden on the tester. In the pre-computerisation days, testers often (wrongly) failed vehicles for insecure batteries, so they must have been looking at them then! Now, it means that when we implement the new Directive, vehicles can legitimately fail for battery insecurity, for no extra tester effort.
Other items – such as headlamp bulb and unit incompatibility, headlamp levelling devices and illegal engine ‘chipping’ – will need further thought before we can get a workable solution for MOT stations.

[Canonite]

Are all MOT test stations then going to have to invest in new equipment in order to determine a remap is present? Adding items to the test is surely going to result in tests taking longer, eating more into the stations potential profits. Either the garages just take it on the chin or an MOT rate increase will be discussed to alleviate this?

[bl52krz]

I for one would welcome more stringent tests on non OE headlamps.
The number of times I've been dazzled by dipped beam blue tinged lamps is beyond a joke and just dangerous.
Hi Jules. I agree with you with regards to the lights dazzling. I often think i wish i had an adjustable old fashioned spot lamp to shine in their eyes, but then i would be the idiot. Personally i think that they should have more roadside checks on lighting by the police, along with the transport department testers to put them off the road until they comply with the regulations on lighting. Rant over.

[tricia1470]

Ummm I better find a cure for my Airbag fault light before March :(

[Singvogel]

Ummm I better find a cure for my Airbag fault light before March :(

Alternatively test it earlier - in December. :}

[geoff11]

I have a Supercharger fitted to my ZT which also has had a remap, there is
however a service mode lever on the unit which returns the car to standard,
how can these mods be classed as illegal?? I am insured for the new set up
immisions are spot on so cant see a problem

[Singvogel]

We have a tradition in this country of after-market car accessories and improvements.

There is a whole industry that is going to be thrown into confusion here.

What is an OEM spec replacement, and what is an 'illegal' modification.

Even my wiper blades are an upgrade!!

My Synergy 2 has an off position - so are the testers going to crawl all over cars physically looking for extra equipment and then checking precisely what it does?

Lord help the rally and off-road enthusiasts.

I am aware that in Germany for example, you may not fit alternative wheels or change tyre sizes without written approval of the parts, either from the manufacturer of the car or the TUV testing authority.

What are we coming to? Any test for all this stuff is going to take much longer than at present and cost much more too!

[James_Death]

I for one would welcome more stringent tests on non OE headlamps.
The number of times I've been dazzled by dipped beam blue tinged lamps is beyond a joke and just dangerous.

As far as im aware thats one of the main reasons on the headlight issues...

[James_Death]

When all said and done we wont know till we take them in for testing after Jan.
No point doing anything not needed.

Obviously if you have warning lights then get that sorted, the dash lights are checked anyway but not taken as a fail at this time as im aware its just noted to yourself.... I could be wrong there as stated we have MOT testers as members im sure.

If your car fails they will tell you what for and costs nothing to ask whats needed to pass it.

[courier118]

This remapping thing.How can this be illegal.Think about it.A WRC car and any other rally car by MSA rules and regs has to be road legal/MOT?.It has to drive on public roads to get from stage to stage,so does that mean that from 2012 every rally car will have to trailered between every stage because its ECU is not factory and every other modification it has makes it not OEM?
Maybe rallying will be banned from the UK as of Jan 1st 2012?
I think not

[AngryDog]

It is absolutely impossible to regulate ecu remapping.
Not all cars have obd2 flashing capabilities so require a chip change.
Will an mot tester remove your ecu, take the lid off, de solder the chip, read it in an EPROM reader and then open the map in winols etc (if he can as many maps are protected) and then know what they are looking for? I think not. Similarly, they would need thousands of pouts worth of obd2 flash equipment to read the maps, and again would need to know what to look for if they can edit the map. What happens if they damage your ecu etc?
Also, some tool take ages to read the maps off. 4 hour mots anyone?

Lol!!!

[sev6]

Just a note on the airbag light i saw somebody mention earlier, afaik an airbag light should be a fail on the current test & it's just a kind of loophole if you tell them dont swith the engine off as the battery is duff then they can give it the benefit of the doubt then (although as most garages professional enough to be MoT stations sjould really have a starter/booster pack to restart if they decide to test the "duff battery" claim, I don't see how that could be true)

I'm confused & I've only been talking 2 minutes! :-S

[1234dist]

with this new rule, i have a tyre pressure warning light on my laguna that is permanently on. I know why its permanently on, because i won't pay £80 to Renault for them to turn it off. i removed my TPS when one of them broke off in the middle of nowhere.

Do i still have to get this fixed?