New rules coming into force for the traditional MOT test

CHANGES are on the way to the traditional MOT test this year.

And motorists are being warned that the new rules, which will be introduced in May 2018, will make it harder for diesel cars to pass.

Tougher emissions tests and faults rated in three defect categories - Dangerous, Major and Minor - will be implemented.

Cars with Minor defects will be allowed to pass and the faults will be recorded, but those that fall into the Dangerous category will be subject to an automatic fail.

Any car that has been fitted with a diesel particulate filter that give out “visible smoke of any colour” during tests will get a Major fault and also automatically fail.

And any vehicle that has a DPF that looks as if it’s been removed or tampered with will not pass - unless it can be proved it has been done so for filter cleaning.

Neil Barlow, head of MOT policy for the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency said the new rules will “help motorists do the right thing”.

He added: “We’re changing the wording on the certificate. We’ve done a lot of research with motorists to find out what sort of information helps.”

Steering is also to be looked at in the DVSA’s new criteria.

A steering box leaking oil would get a Minor fault but if the oil was dripping badly it would be pushed up to Major and fail.

Reverse lights will be checked and brake discs also inspected to see if they are “significantly or obviously worn”.

Minor defects refer to those that have no significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment.

Major defects may see the vehicle being less safe and have an impact on the environment, putting other road users at risk.

Dangerous defects have an immediate risk to road safety and have an impact on the environment.

The new rules will start from May 20 but an RAC spokesman said they fear the changes could end up confusing motorists.

He said: “Rather than MOT failures simply being black and white, the new system creates the potential for confusion as testers will have to make a judgement as to whether faults are Dangerous, Major or Minor.

“Motorists may also struggle to tell the difference.”