6. Body, structure and attachments

Structure and attachments (including exhaust system and bumpers), and body and interior (including doors and catches, seats and floor) rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

6.1. Structure and attachments

In this section

6.1.1. General condition

This sub-section covers the condition of the general structure but does not include prescribed areas. These are checked under sections 1 (brakes), 2 (steering), 5 (axles, wheels, tyres and suspension) and 7 (other equipment).

Vehicles should only be failed under (a), (c) or (d) in this section if the overall structural rigidity of the vehicle is significantly reduced.

You can find guidance on assessing corrosion in Appendix A of this manual.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) A main load-bearing structural member fractured or deformed such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced Major
(a)(ii) A main load-bearing structural member fractured or deformed such that steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected Dangerous
(b)(i) Strengthening plates or fastenings insecure Major
(b)(ii) Strengthening plates or fastenings so insecure that structural rigidity is seriously reduced Dangerous
(c)(i) Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Major
(c)(ii) Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected Dangerous
(d)(i) A main load-bearing structural member modified or inadequately repaired such that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Major
(d)(ii) A main load-bearing structural member modified or inadequately repaired such that steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected Dangerous

6.1.2. Exhaust system

You must check the exhaust system of all vehicles with an internal combustion engine, including hybrid vehicles. You need to assess the overall security of the exhaust system. One or more missing or defective exhaust mountings does not necessarily make the exhaust insecure.

For exhaust noise assessment, see Section 8.1.1.

For assessment of catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters, see Section 8.2.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a) Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure Major
(b)(i) Exhaust fumes entering cabin Major
(b)(ii) Exhaust fumes causing a danger to health of persons on board Dangerous

6.1.3. Fuel system

You must check the fuel system on all vehicles with internal combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells.

You might need to open the luggage compartment to carry out a full inspection of the fuel system.

If a fuel tank has a hole or the filler neck is split and fuel can leak from it, you must fail it for leaking even if the hole or split is above the fuel line.

If you cannot get access to the fuel filler cap, see item 4g in the Introduction.

To check for leaks on gas powered vehicles, use a leak detection product conforming to the standard BS EN 14291-2004. You must follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using leak detection products.

Only fail a vehicle for missing heat shields if there’s a risk of fire with other fuel system components.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) Fuel tank, pipe or hose insecure Major
(a)(ii) Fuel tank, pipe or hose insecure such that there is a risk of fire Dangerous
(b)(i) Fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap Major
(b)(ii) Fuel system leaking excessively or a risk of fire Dangerous
(c)(i) Fuel pipe or hose chafing Minor
(c)(ii) Fuel pipe or hose damaged Major
(d) Not in use  
(e) Fire risk due to fuel tank shield or exhaust shield missing where fitted as original equipment Dangerous
(f) Any part of an LPG/CNG/LNG or hydrogen system defective Dangerous

6.1.4. Bumpers

Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) Bumper insecure or with damage likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted Major
(a)(ii) Bumper likely to become detached Dangerous

6.1.5. Spare wheel carrier (if fitted)

This inspection is only for externally-mounted spare wheel carriers.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a) A spare wheel carrier fractured or insecure Major
(b)(i) A spare wheel insecure in carrier Major
(b)(ii) A spare wheel likely to become detached Dangerous

6.1.6. Coupling mechanisms and towing equipment

You must inspect all types of coupling mechanisms and towbars fitted to the rear of a vehicle, including fifth-wheel couplings.

You must also inspect the vehicle structure within 30cm of any towbar mounting point and assess its strength and continuity.

Towbar mounting points are not prescribed areas and the vehicle structure should only be rejected if its strength or continuity is significantly reduced.

You do not need to inspect emergency towing eyes.

You must remove tow ball covers to inspect the tow ball.

If coupling mechanisms are behind access panels in the bumper, bodywork or removable panel, you must remove them to inspect the coupling mechanism unless tools are needed to do this.

When checking coupling mechanisms, you may also need to check inside the luggage compartment and lift loose fitting mats or carpet.

You must test retractable towbars in their ‘in-use’ position. However, if you need tools to do this, you do not need to do it.

If a tow ball or pin is not fitted at the time of test - because it’s detachable, it’s been unbolted or otherwise removed - but the attachment brackets are still in place, the brackets should still be assessed unless they have been deliberately rendered unfit for further use.

There might be movement (‘play’) in some detachable tow balls between the receiver socket and the tapered swan neck fitting, with up to 3mm movement measured at the ball end.

You must reject:

  • pins, jaws or hooks that have worn by more than 25% of their original thickness
  • pin locating holes that have been worn or elongated by more than 25% of their original diameter
  • tow balls that are obviously excessively worn

Many ‘bolt-on’ type tow balls have accessory devices between the tow ball and its mounting flange. You should only reject these if their fitment is clearly likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle and its trailer.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a) A towbar component damaged, defective, fractured or corroded Major
(b)(i) A towbar component excessively worn Major
(b)(ii) A towbar component so worn it is likely to fail Dangerous
(c)(i) A towbar attachment defective or insecure Major
(c)(ii) A towbar attachment likely to become detached Dangerous
(d) A towbar safety device damaged or not operating correctly Major
(e) A towbar coupling indicator not working Major
(f)(i) Towbar obstructing the registration plate or any lamp Minor
(f)(ii) Towbar obstructing the registration plate so that it is unreadable Major
(g)(i) Unsafe modification to towbar secondary components Major
(g)(ii) Unsafe modification to towbar primary components Dangerous
(h) Coupling too weak Major
(i)(i) The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any towbar mounting bracket is significantly reduced Major
(i)(ii) The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any towbar mounting bracket is so weakened that the towbar is likely to become detached Dangerous

6.1.7. Transmission

You must inspect all:

  • prop shafts
  • drive shafts
  • prop shaft and drive shaft couplings and bearings
  • drive chains or belts

Class 3 vehicles do not need to be inspected for this.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) A transmission shaft securing bolts loose or missing Major
(a)(ii) A transmission shaft likely to become detached Dangerous
(b)(i) A transmission shaft bearing excessively worn Major
(b)(ii) A transmission shaft bearing likely to break up Dangerous
(c)(i) A transmission joint, belt or chain excessively worn Major
(c)(ii) A transmission so worn it is likely to fail Dangerous
(d)(i) A transmission shaft flexible coupling excessively deteriorated Major
(d)(ii) A transmission shaft flexible coupling so deteriorated it is likely to fail Dangerous
(e) A transmission shaft bent or badly damaged Major
(f)(i) A transmission shaft bearing housing fractured or insecure Major
(f)(ii) A transmission shaft bearing housing likely to fail Dangerous
(g)(i) A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated Minor
(g)(ii) A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing, split or insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Major

6.1.8. Engine mountings

You must inspect engine mountings for all vehicles except for Class 3 vehicles.

The inspection includes mountings bolted to the gearbox that give essential support for the engine.

Body corrosion close to an engine mounting should only be rejected if it’s so severe that it results in excessive movement.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) An engine mounting or bracket severely damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement Major
(a)(ii) An engine mounting or bracket fractured, missing or excessively loose Dangerous

6.2. Body and interior

In this section

6.2.1. Body condition

This inspection is for all vehicles and includes:

  • all body panels
  • undertrays
  • spoilers
  • mirror housings

For inspecting bumpers, see Section 6.1.4.

A ‘body pillar’ applies only to the load carrying area of a goods vehicle.

An unsafe modification is one that is likely to cause injury.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) A body panel or body component damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted, or insecure Major
(a)(ii) A body panel or body component likely to become detached Dangerous
(b)(i) A body pillar insecure Major
(b)(ii) A body pillar so insecure that load stability or security likely to be seriously impaired Dangerous
(c)(i) The passenger compartment in such a condition that it permits the entry of exhaust fumes Major
(c)(ii) The passenger compartment in such a condition that exhaust fumes lead to a danger to health of persons on board Dangerous
(d)(i) Body has an unsafe modification Major
(d)(ii) Body modification likely to adversely affect braking or steering Dangerous
(e) A bootlid, tailgate, dropside, loading door or access panel cannot be secured in the closed position Major

6.2.2. Cab and body mounting

You only need to inspect vehicles with a separate body and/or cab. Class 3 vehicles do not need to be inspected for cabs and cab mountings.

You should assess for corrosion within 30cm of the mountings of the body or cab and its chassis.

If the cab/body is not of an integral construction, then the mountings are not prescribed areas, if corrosion is found at these mountings you can only reject the body or cab if its overall security is significantly reduced.

Individual body security defects are not a reason for rejection unless their cumulative effect is likely to significantly reduce the overall body security.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) A body or cab insecure Major
(a)(ii) A body or cab insecure to the extent that stability is seriously impaired Dangerous
(b) A body or cab obviously not squarely located on chassis Major
(c)(i) Body or cab mounting fixings missing or insecure such that overall security is significantly reduced Major
(c)(ii) Body or cab mounting fixings missing or insecure such that stability is seriously impaired Dangerous
(d)(i) Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at mounting points Major
(d)(ii) Body, cab or chassis corroded at mounting points to the extent that overall security or stability is seriously impaired Dangerous

6.2.3. Doors and door catches

Defects regarding the opening of doors do not apply to passenger doors:

  • on goods vehicles modified for the carriage of high value cargoes such as armoured security vehicles
  • where the door aperture has been permanently ‘filled’ as part of a specialised customisation provided that there are no obvious aperture gaps

A lack of door handles due to the original design or a specialist modification is not a defect so long as the door can be latched securely in the closed position and the door can still be opened using the relevant control, for example, a button or a fob.

Driver and passenger doors must open from the outside using the relevant control.

Driver and front passenger doors must also open from the inside using the relevant control.

Load space doors must be able to be secured in the closed position.

You should only reject door hinges, catches and pillars for deterioration if it causes the doors not to work as intended.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a) A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly Major
(b)(i) A door likely to open inadvertently or not remain closed in the case of a sliding door Major
(b)(ii) A door likely to open inadvertently or not remain closed in the case of a turning door Dangerous
(c)(i) A door hinge, catch or pillar excessively deteriorated Minor
(c)(ii) A door hinge, catch or pillar missing or insecure Major

6.2.4. Floor

You must inspect the floor in the driver, passenger and goods carrying compartments.

Areas of floor within a ‘prescribed area’ are covered in sections 1 (brakes), 2 (steering), 5 (axles, wheels, tyres and suspension) and 7 (other equipment).

Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) A floor excessively deteriorated or insecure Major
(a)(ii) A floor so deteriorated or insecure it is likely to cause loss of control of the vehicle, injury, load insecurity or instability Dangerous

6.2.5. Driver’s seat

Check the security of the driver’s seat.

For manually adjustable seats, check that the seat remains secure in several positions. It is not necessary to check that the seat can be secured in all possible positions. Seat adjustment must incorporate an automatic locking system which operates in all positions provided for normal use. If the mechanism requires manual assistance it should be rejected for not working as intended.

A driver’s seat that is fixed or cannot be adjusted to the manufacturers full range of fore and aft adjustment is not a reason for failure.

For electrically adjusted seats, you do not need to check that any ‘memory position’ function is working.

Original design characteristics and specialised modifications (e.g. to enable wheelchair access, or changed to a fixed seat) are to be accepted.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) A driver’s seat with a defective structure Major
(a)(ii) A driver’s seat insecure Dangerous
(b)(i) A driver’s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not working as intended Major
(b)(ii) A driver’s seat moving inadvertently or backrest cannot be retained in the upright position Dangerous

6.2.6. Passenger seats

You should lift folded seats to inspect seat belts unless this requires the use of tools or specialist equipment. This applies to occasional seats that are folded and are designed for occasional use, and seats designed for everyday use with the ability to be folded to provide additional luggage space. Seats already in the upright position do not require the base to be lifted for this examination.

If you cannot lift seats because there are heavy or fragile items on the seat, you can refuse to test the vehicle. For details, see item 4d in the Introduction.

You should only consider a passenger seat structure defective if it’s likely to cause injury.

Original design characteristics and specialised modifications (e.g. to enable wheelchair access, or changed to a fixed seat) are to be accepted.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) A passenger seat with a defective structure or the backrest cannot be retained in the upright position Major
(a)(ii) A passenger seat insecure Dangerous

6.2.7. Driving controls

You should inspect Class 5 vehicles for driving controls not covered in other sections of the manual, such as:

  • clutch
  • accelerator
  • gear selector
  • engine stop
Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) A driving control necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle not functioning correctly Major
(a)(ii) A driving control necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle not working or functioning such that safe operation of the vehicle is affected Dangerous

6.2.8. Cab steps (if fitted)

You must only inspect steps that aid entry into the driver’s and/or the front passenger compartment.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a)(i) A cab step or step ring insecure Minor
(a)(ii) A cab step or step ring so insecure that it is likely to cause injury Major
(b) A cab step or step ring in such a condition that it is likely to cause injury Major

6.2.9. Not in use

6.2.10. Not in use

6.2.11. Not in use

6.2.12. Handgrips and footrests

You must only inspect tricycles and quadricycles fitted with handgrips and/or footrests for the driver/passenger(s). You must reject these if they’re missing or insecure and it’s clear that they’re required for the vehicle to be safely operated.

Defect reference Defect Category
(a) A handgrip or footrest missing or insecure Major