TOUGHER MOT COMES INTO FORCE TODAY

ATOUGHER and updated MoT comes into force in Britain today to improve air quality and make roads safer. Diesel cars are now subjected to tighter smoke limits, while new fail categories state when a vehicle should not be driven until a dangerous defect is repaired.

A number of components and functions will be tested for the first time under the refreshed regulations.

Gareth Llewellyn, chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you keep your vehicle safe to drive.

“You can start to look forward to cleaner, safer vehicles, with greater clarity on any defects.

“A properly maintained vehicle should have no problem passing the new MoT.”

The changes to how defects are categorised – minor, major or dangerous – are designed to make it simpler for motorists to know if their vehicle is safe to drive.

Faults which are deemed “dangerous” or “major” will result in the MoT being failed. DVSA advises a “minor” issue should be repaired as soon as possible.

There will be stricter limits for emissions from diesel cars, with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), which captures soot.

Vehicles will get a “major” fault if the MoT tester can see smoke of any colour coming from the exhaust or finds evidence the DPF has been tampered with.

The new rules could lead to expensive bills for people who have previously taken their cars to unscrupulous garages where DPFs have been removed because they are costly to replace when faulty.

New DPFs often cost more than £1,000, which is more than the value of many cars on the road.

Among the checks being carried out for the first time under the new regime are:

if tyres are obviously underinflated;

for fluid leaks posing an environmental risk; and

reverse lights on vehicles first used from September 2009.

Motoring groups have expressed concern that many drivers are confused or unaware of the new test.

Breakdown cover provider Green Flag found 58% of 1,023 drivers surveyed did not know the changes were coming into effect today.

Nick Reid, head of automotive technology at Green Flag, said: “The majority of drivers are going to potentially face fines.

“We are urging drivers to ensure that they book MoTs in early.”

Some 49% of 1,866 drivers questioned by the RAC mistakenly believe vehicles found to have a “minor” fault will fail the test.

Motorists can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MoT.

Vehicles must undergo the test on the third anniversary of their registration and every 12 months if they are over three years old.

Vehicle parts are checked during MoTs to ensure they meet legal standards.

Twenty-eight people were killed and 413 seriously injured in accidents on Britain’s roads in 2016 when a vehicle defect was a factor.