Upcoming MOT changes “outright confusing” motorists, Servicing Stop says

Independently commissioned report reveals just 30 per cent of drivers surveyed understand the new system

Upcoming MOT changes “outright confusing” motorists, Servicing Stop says
Oly Richmond, Servicing Stop chief executive officer and founder.

Despite arriving in just two weeks time, the new MOT rules being launched by the government in a bid to cut diesel emissions are confusing motorists left, right and centre according to Servicing Stop.

In a survey commissioned by Servicing Stop, 30 per cent of drivers on the roads understand the new system of pyramids which will replace ‘fails’ and ‘advisories’ with minor, major and dangerous faults – while the rest say the new system is outright confusing.

A dangerous-graded fault means legally the vehicle cannot be driven on the roads without being repaired, this means a driver has to have that work completed there and then with the mechanic or have it recovered to another garage.

The majority of motorists perhaps surprisingly think this is a great idea with a massive 81 per cent claiming it will rid the roads of dangerous vehicles, protecting other drivers.

While others claim it limits their choice as a motorist and could lead to a lack of trust with garages charging extortionate prices to match the urgency of the work being completed.

The new MOT test guidelines have been introduced to make it harder for a diesel vehicle to pass in a bid to reduce the number of diesel vehicles on the roads.

Despite half of motorists driving a diesel car, almost 60 per cent support the move (once they understood it) – even calling it logical considering diesel vehicles are more polluting.

Not everyone agrees, however, as 43 per cent of motorists say it’s a targeted attack making life more expensive and inconvenient for diesel drivers.

“Unnecessary dialogues”

Chief executive officer and founder of Servicing Stop, Oly Richmond, said: “The new changes are clearly being introduced in a bid to bury diesel vehicles once and for all.

“The new regulations which see the smoke limit test halved makes the test extremely difficult for a diesel car to pass.

“While the test changes are coming down hard on diesel drivers, it’s not making life easy for our mechanics either.

“A driver of a car with a tampered with DPF will now have to cough up evidence.

“This will no doubt create lengthy and unnecessary dialogues between busy mechanics and confused motorists over why and how they provide this evidence.

“What evidence is needed and why?

“What are our mechanics then going to do with this evidence?

“Aside from confusion over diesel particulate filters, motorists will generally be baffled about the new pyramid of faults.

“For years we have had advisory items and fails; this is currently an easily navigated system understood by all drivers.

“The new trio of minor, major and dangerous faults will not only take a while to comprehend for drivers, it’s also going to be a new challenge for mechanics trying to advise customers, especially on those dangerous faults which mean you simply can’t let that vehicle go back on the roads.

“While I think there may be hurdles along the way, hopefully the new changes can help cut emissions and make car servicing more transparent and effective at keeping dangerous vehicles off the roads.”

For further information about Servicing Stop, click “more details” below.

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