Changes to the MOT test are to be made next year as part of the European Union Roadworthiness Package.
The directive is a broad set of rules to govern the condition of road-going vehicles and the majority of MOT changes are set to happen in May 2018.
Changes to domestic legislation to enable the directive changes to take place were completed earlier this year.
Classic car MOTs
As a result of a consultation on classic car MOTs, unmodified vehicles over forty-years-old will be MOT exempt from May 2018 on a rolling basis.
The change comes despite on opposition of 1,130 consultation respondents compared to just 899 who supported the plans.
MOT defect categories
From May 20, 2018 vehicle defects will be categorised as either ‘dangerous’, ‘major’ or ‘minor’.
‘Dangerous’ and ‘major’ defects will result in a fail, while ‘minors’ can be considered similar to what is currently known as advisories.
Commenting on the Matters of Testing blog, the DVSA’s Simon Smith said: “We’re still working on how we’ll make this look for drivers, but we want to make sure that the dangerous defects stand out on the documentation.
“This is to make it clear to them that they shouldn’t drive the vehicle away in that condition.”
Vehicle observations
The DVSA is considering ways of allowing observations to be noted during the test.
For example a an undertray may stop the tester from getting to the parts they would otherwise inspect.
Simon said: “This could be useful information to have noted for an MOT appeal, but it wouldn’t appear on the notes given to the car drivers, because it’s not information aimed at them.”
The DVSA is also considering if manual advisories should be replaced with “easy-to-find” test-related and other standard advisories.
Further details about the new categories are expected to be released in the coming months.
Emissions testing
The smoke test limit for Euro 6 and some Euro 5 diesels is to be halved in May.
The DVSA has said it is currently working with garage equipment manufacturers as the lowered limits will see changes to diesel smoke meter settings or software – the agency has said it will give test stations at least six months “to schedule this work in”.
Changes designed to make it easier for testers to detect vehicles with failing or removed DPFs are also expected to be introduced next year.
However, the DfT and DVSA is yet to confirm exactly how the test will be made easier to detect failed or removed DPFs.
Related: MOT DPF changes now expected in May 2018
VTS council members have been leaving feedback on an early version of a new inspection manual and a revised version will be published in the coming months.
The directive will require the DVSA to move to the standard EU vehicle categories, from vehicle approval through to on road use.
The agency has said it will keep MOT classes for garage authorisations “for now”.
What do you make of the changes? The DVSA is seeking your feedback. Please share your comments and any concerns in the comments below.
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