Getting an MOT is a relatively untouched part of owning a car for the motorist, with most just sending it to the garage and then hoping it passes! So, it comes as no surprise that people are uncertain about the new MOT and what it means for their vehicle. A new survey released by the RAC shows a shocking 49% of people don’t know what the new categories mean.
Simply put, the new MOT creates a new categorisation system for defects, with dangerous, major and minor determining the defect, and advisory and pass not affecting any defects. The new MOT also tests a few more car issues such as underinflated tyres, reversing lights and daytime running lights on new cars. The government has provided a full breakdown here.
RAC survey
The RAC took a survey of 1,866 motorists and found that almost half of them were confused by the new ‘minor’ fault category and thought it still leads to a fail, which isn’t the case. In fact, this new category is a ‘pass with defects’ which should be made clearer as soon as possible.
Further confusion was shown in the ‘dangerous’ and ‘major’ fault categories. 5% of the survey thought a car would pass with a ‘dangerous’ fault and 6% thought their car would pass with a ‘major’ fault listed. In both cases, the cars would fail under the new defect grading system. A ‘dangerous’ fail stipulates that it cannot be driven until the fault is fixed.
Minor problems
Three-quarters of the survey thought that the new ‘minor’ category, which has been created in addition to the existing advisory notice system, would mean people ignore these problems. 13% believed that the minor fault would lead to an advisory notice – resulting in a fail. But advisory warnings do not mean the vehicle will fail.
Opinions about the changes were divided. 44% said the changes were reasonable while 56% were against them. The advertising for the new test system seems to have had mixed results as only half of those surveyed said they knew when the new changes would start although further exploration showed that nearly two-thirds were not aware of the date.
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More likely to fail
The RAC asked if drivers thought there was a danger that the new categories could be open to interpretation between different test centres and three-quarters believed that it would. 59% of those spoken to think the new test system would lead to more fails with only ten percent thinking there would be more passes – 15% thought the rate would remain unchanged.
It highlights something the RAC have also said they are concerned about – interpretation differences. While the motoring organisation is behind the new test system, they are worried that there could be differences between one garage and another as to how a fault is categorised, and therefore whether a car would pass or not.
The diesel problem
Another big issue with the new test, once again, highlights the emphasis on diesel and the emissions from these cars. The diesel particulate filter (DPF) is the device that captures and stores particulates from the exhaust system. Under the new test, if there is any coloured smoke coming from the exhaust or any sign the DPF has been tampered with, the car will receive a major fail. However, taking the diesel for a good run down a motorway or dual carriageway will help to clean out the DPF.
Half of the RAC survey group either own or run a diesel car and 53% of them knew there was a DPF on the vehicle. But another third weren’t sure if theirs had one or not. And if there is a problem with the DPF, it can be a nasty one – new ones can cost around £1,000, which would be a surprise for the half of drivers who estimated the cost between £250 – £500.
Classic car worries
Another interesting development with the new test system is that vehicles over 40 years old will no longer require an MOT. While this might be a relief for drivers of certain classic cars, some experts are concerned that this could lead to a rise in accidents involving them.
The new rules would mean there would be some 300,000 vehicles on the UK roads that no longer need to be checked. These include classic ‘old bangers’ such as the Ford Cortina and Austin Allegro from the 1970’s.
The government said the change was due to these vehicles being ‘maintained in good condition’ and used on short trips only occasionally. But a survey of classic car owners found more than 55% were against the new rules. Older vehicles, they say, are made to lower design standards and are more prone to corrosion. Plus, not all owners keep their cars in excellent condition.
Understanding the changes
The RAC has recommended that everyone gets to know the new changes as quickly as possible. RAC spokesperson Simon Williams said that test centres and garages need to do a perfect job of explaining the differences, so motorists understand what they need to do with the different results from their MOT. They believe the tests are a positive thing but want to be sure that garages are consistently interpreting the new rules in the same way.
Did you know about the new rules? Do you understand what the new categories mean? Let us know in the comments below.
Many people I have spoken to are unaware of the changes to the MOT test.
Since this is an EU directive, are we going to continued to be governed by them ?
Back to the MOT, some (hopefully in minority) will of course benefit from the new regulations, since once the vehicle fails, and cannot be driven, the customer has to pay the repair cost demanded, or perhaps arrange collection on a low loader or similar.
Hopefully there will be safeguards in place to prevent motorists being ripped off.
I’m not surprised at these figures but the survey didn’t say what percentage of owners understand the current categories either. I also think the less scrupulous garages will use this as an opportunity to make a swift profit. We’re back to the bad old days when you took your car in for a free check up and the target driven garage worker would advise you (incorrectly) that they couldn’t possibly let you drive your ‘dangerous’ car away in this state … in reality it was a part worn tyre or part worn brakes – both of which needed attention but neither of made the vehicle illegal to drive.
At the moment, if you suspect you’re being ill advised (ripped off), you can drive away n get a second opinion – provided you make the appointment etc., all within the law. That option will now go and we’re back at the single opinion of that particular tester (only).
As I understand it, it’s perfectly legal to drive a car to a pre-arranged garage appointment both for its MOT and also to remedy any defects under an MOT fail, (I think!!) as long as you have taken it for its new MOT before the old one has expired (which I believe can be up to one month prior to the MOT being due and still preserve the previous renewal date (so you almost get 13 months MOT), so you could probably just book an appointment at a cheaper garage and drive it from the place of failure to the other garage, I’m fairly certain that’s how its always worked since I started driving many moons ago?
This is incorrect. Once your vehicle has failed its MOT it has failed its MOT – period. It doesn’t matter if your previous MOT had not yet expired, because your previous MOT is invalidated the minute the garage starts on your new test.
Vehicles with light defects should bought to task.On M25 you get no rear lights, only one rear light, only one headlight. On other roads you also have badly adjusted headlamps. Does not affect the driver, only other road users.
Yes but these light problems get sorted at the next MoT. The thing is they may work correctly at the MoT then, a bulb especially, goes out the next day and the driver doesn’t check so it’s like that for another year!
If a bulb fails replace it, carry a spare set, or risk a fine and points on your license.
WHY don’t they check them? I routinely check mine when I’m in a queue at traffic lights [reflections in the bodywork of the car in front] or when I’m parking. You don’t even need to get out of the car!
Surely it is the driver that needs the MOT as 95% of accidents are due to driver errors. I believe this has not changed since the introduction of the MOT test. What has it achieved? NOTHING!!!! Sorry it has tended to get older cars off the road and cost drivers more for new cars, so financially it has achieved a lot but with regards to road safety? NOTHING!!!
So would I be justified in thinking it is a con as my dear departed father predicted when it was introduced.
Should I consider buying a 40 year old car? YES. Why? They are cheaper and easier to maintain and if driven well do not consume any more fuel. i.e !958 Austin A55 returned 40 mpg from its 1500 cc engine and it would stop on a sixpence!
That is incorrect. Try driving in any of the numerous countries that don’t have any vehicle tests, and see whether you’re still of the same opinion. Most of Africa’s and Asia’s roads are extremely unsafe because so many of the vehicles are simply dangerous – bald tyres, non-functional brakes, blown lights, gaping holes from rust, sharp protrusions ready to snag pedestrians, you name it, they’re there in plenty. Then there’s the issue of emissions. Try driving in most developing countries and you’ll be gasping for breath amidst the haze of exhaust pollutants … diesels spewing out black smoke, petrol engines spewing out blue smoke from worn out engines, etc.
So, no … you wouldn’t be justified in following your dear departed father’s predictions. MOTs are there for all of us, and we should be thankful for them.
cars are tested ,roads are improved but nothing is done about the cause of ALL accidents DRIVERS
Oh yes it is – we now have driverLESS cars, and they are causing their own class of accidents!
Are you suggesting dangerous cars and faulty DPF’s should just merrily carry on as the MOT “achieves nothing”
I agree wit the opinion expressed above. but that opinion is not merrily carry on it is to test the drivers regularly. It is drivers that cause most “accidents not cars”. I would be happy to be tested regularly if I knew that the idiots I see driving at speed onto roundabouts because they have right of way, failing to indicate until they turn the wheel etc etc were also tested.
Dear Mike Boulton, while I mostly agree with your sentiments, were you aware that in practically the first sentence of the Highway Code it says something about: in no circumstances does anyone have ‘right of way’ (although of course clearly priorities are advised). And Yes, I do agree, poor driving often occurs when someone [arrogantly] regards themselves to have ‘right of way ! ‘. R
Do please remember that many 40 year old cars are not fitted with relatively modern designs of ABS which I’m lead to understand are an enormous safety feature when called upon. [N.B. relative to the number of cars on the road now, safety *has* increased; but I do quite agree ‘it’s drivers who need MOT-ing ! ‘ (as well as vehicles) ]. R
My TR4A APO77C does not now require an MOT due to its age.
However is there any procedure/paper work necessary, or do the owners simply, if they so wish, ignore the test?
Presumably if the decision to have the test carried out any way, a failure would be dealt with as for a car requiring a test.
If your vehicle was taxed as a historic vehicle, you do not need to do anything at all, the decision is yours of you wish to have an MOT or not!
My Vehicle is in the historic category, however I shall take it for an MOT and then decide next year or after if I need to take it for another test. I do very low mileage and maintain the vehicle to a high standard.
What constitutes an under inflated tyre 5psi 1 psi? And are all garages guages calibrated to the same standard, does it mean a fail or advisory how about giving the public some real details on this
And will they make sure the tyres are cold? Those on the sunny side of the car in summer could be several PSI up, but actually correctly inflated.
They will not routinely check tyre pressures, it is only if a tyre looks obviously underinflated.
That just proves many motorists are very ignorant people (drivers) as can be seen every day on all roads
50% never understood the old one judging by the cars that were brought to me when I was in the trade.
I have just read on Petrol Prices buy an insurance policy and get something free WHY I already have an perfectly valid policy do I need two or maybe three
50% plus didn’t understand the old one judging by the standard of some of the cars I was expected to repair when I was in the trade
How many unroadworthy vehicles and/or drivers are currently on the road, if they were to be tested?
I’ve only just realised this is much less of a change than I thought. There was always pass, fail, advisories plus if the tester thought the vehicle was dangerous and should not be driven, they could mark this on the fail sheet and not allow it to be driven away. Largely, all they seem to have done is give this an actual category and perhaps moved some of the lesser fails and more serious advisories into the minor category which is still a pass. I suspect tyre pressures will generally fail into the minor category (perhaps dangerous if actually flat!) and would probably have been an advisory before. ….. or am I missing something? Adding DPF’s and the like are simply updating for newer technology and practice reaslising that some will remove them rather than replace them.
What new MOT? Never heard about ti
I knew nothing about this. Where has it been advertised? Only just joined petrolprices – glad I did!
Being a retired MOT tester & test Quality controller, I feel this change could increase the fail rate at some dubious test centres, by legally having to have your vehicle repaired to drive on a public highway, and as such not remove it from the test centre until such repair is carried out. On two occasions having taken my wife’s car for test, after I had checked it over mechanically, was told it had failed, I questioned the reasons, explaining my previous test experience, to be then told it hadn’t failed & reissued a pass certificate. If your car does fail on a dangerous defect, ask to be shown the proof before allowing any work to be carried out. If you are still in doubt ask for an appeal form which will then get your vehicle re checked by VOSA. This would cost you a test fee if the vehicle still failed. Not if found to be a pass.
Rather concerned about the SUBJECTIVE part of this about viewing ‘smoke’ from Diesel engines. Was it steam, was it transient, is it trivial? is it burming oil? is the engine warm enough? would it fail then pass after a 30 mile run? is the testers judgement suspect? Was it their imagination? No test like this should be subjective.
I didn’t know about the new MOT categories, but having read about them I think I have a reasonable understanding of them. My Vauxhall Zafira is booked in for it’s MOT in a few days time, so I’ll probably understand them more!
I didn’t know about the new MOT categories, but having read a bit about them I think I have a reasonable understanding of them. My aged Vauxhall Zafira is booked in for its MOT in a few days time, so I think I’ll probably understand a little better!
No idea what the new rules are.
“…and pass not affecting any defects”
What exactly, does that mean? How would any decision, pass, pass with minors, fail, affect and defects?
I am very confused about whole new MOT change as garage are going to make even more money from this as some garage are very expensive
Yes we must be protected from faulty DPF.
this smacks of going back to the old days (1970s) of MOT test centres when a tester would take a hammer to your chasis and declare it unroadworthy until they had repaired it or they would find some other technical fault – imperceptible to anyone else and fail the car.
We must, at all costs be protected though from a faulty DPF.
can someone tell me the difference between dangerous and major as I am not able to get one, is the vehicle allowed to be taken to a garage of your choice with a major fault.