New MOT checks from January 1st 2012

[gookah]

With some things that can be a common occurrence on our cars, in red


Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake controls are now included and must be present and not inappropriately repaired or modified.
The car will fail if an Electronic Parking Brake warning lamp is illuminated to indicate a malfunction.

Electronic Stability Control
Checks of antilock brakes will be extended to include Electronic Stability Control if fitted.

Warning lights
As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;

Headlight main beam warning light
Electronic power steering warning light
Brake fluid level warning light
Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light
Air bag warning light
Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light


Steering & suspension

The new test includes a check on the presence and correct function of the steering lock where fitted as standard.

Missing, or split/damaged dust covers on steering and suspension ball-joints will result in failure if they will allow dirt to enter the joint.

Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir.

Lighting
Products on the lens or light source that obviously reduce the light's intensity or change its colour will become a reason for failure – applies to front/rear position lamps, registration plate lamps, stop lamps, rear fog and direction indicators.

Headlight requirements are updated to take account of the particular characteristics of High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps.

HID headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high so car manufacturers must fit headlamp cleaning and levelling systems.

A car will fail if a mandatory headlamp cleaning or levelling system is missing, doesn't work or is obviously defective.

Vehicles fitted with aftermarket HID systems must also be fitted with properly working washer and levelling systems.

If a headlamp bulb is not seated correctly the resulting beam pattern will be indistinct and this will result in a test fail.

Electrical wiring and battery
An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as will a battery that is leaking electrolyte.

Visible wiring that is insecure, inadequately supported or likely to cause a short will also result in a failure as will wires bared by damaged insulation.

Trailer/caravan electrical socket
There will be a basic security/damage check of 7-pin sockets.

13-pin sockets will be subject to a full electrical connectivity check and incorrectly connected or inoperative circuits will result in failure.

Tyres
Tyre pressure monitoring systems fitted to vehicles first registered after 1 January 2012 must be working correctly and not indicating a malfunction.

Supplementary restraints
The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective.

A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure.

Seatbelt load limiters that are missing where fitted as standard or folding webbing type limiters that have obviously deployed are also reasons for failure.

The vehicle will also fail if an SRS malfunction light is missing, not working or indicating a fault.

Speedometer
The car will fail if a speedometer is not fitted, is incomplete, inoperative, has a dial glass broken/missing or cannot be illuminated.

Seats
It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft.

Doors
A rear door that cannot be opened from the outside using the relevant control is a new reason for failure.

Doors must be easy to open and close – hinges, catches and pillars will be inspected.

Towbars
Inappropriate repair or modification to the towbar assembly will be a reason for failure if judged likely to affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle/trailer.

Exhaust
A catalytic converter fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure.

Fuel system
Damaged or chafed fuel pipes will result in failure.

[pingu]

Pingu's comments in blue...

Air bag warning light
Removing the bulb won't result in a pass as the bulb should illuminate and then extinguish

The new test includes a check on the presence and correct function of the steering lock where fitted as standard.
Smart car - not fitted as standard

Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir.
I'll enjoy watching him check the M

Lighting
Products on the lens or light source that obviously reduce the light's intensity or change its colour will become a reason for failure – applies to front/rear position lamps, registration plate lamps, stop lamps, rear fog and direction indicators.
I've half-silvered the rear indicator bulbs, but they still flash orange, so they should be OK

Vehicles fitted with aftermarket HID systems must also be fitted with properly working washer and levelling systems.
At last. This means I won't be getting blinded by chavs

Seats
It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft.
"Rocking" seats may fail

Doors
A rear door that cannot be opened from the outside using the relevant control is a new reason for failure.
This only applies to passenger doors (AFAIK). Van cargo doors and estate car rear doors (not intended as passenger doors) are as before. They need to be securely shut.

I agree with most of the new additions. In fact, I can't think of any that I disagree with.

[Fender2004]

I'm sure I read somewhere that the MOT will be changing to every two years. Do you know when this is

Are these stronger tests got something to do with the 2 yearly tests

[d0mokun]

Hate to be a grump, but the HID mandate is absolutely welcome in my books. As said previously, I'll no longer be blinded by chavs (hopefully) and people that insist on leaving fogs on as well as really high power searchlights..

[motco]

The trouble is with HID retrofits, they're easy to uninstall temporarily while the MOT is carried out.

[Gazza]

Most of the grumps about HID retrofit are in fact not HID, they are Xenon bulbs.

My biggest gripe is badly adjusted main beams, you know the one that is just high enough to blind you Grrrrrrrrrr

Another is vans, headlights mounted in direct line with my door mirrors Grrrrrr

[gookah]

Grrrrrrrrrr

Grrrrrr

Grrrrrrrythefish?

[Gazza]

Grrrrrrrrrr

Grrrrrr

Grrrrrrrythefish?

Good one

[PVR]

2 years is European level, and first MOT at 4 years, not 3 as in the UK.