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Guidance

MOT changes from May 2018: guidance for MOT testers

Guidance on carrying out MOT tests from 20 May 2018 when the way the test works changed.

Updates to this page

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published:
29 March 2018
Last updated:
26 February 2019
Show all updates

  1. Updated the 'Diesel vehicle emission limits' guidance to clarify the value that should be tested, and updated 'Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment' to clarify what needs testing for reversing lamps. Removed the 'Other important information for MOT testers' guidance as this information is now in the MOT inspection manuals.

  2. Updated the guidance about diesel vehicle emission limits to clarify the default limit for newer vehicles.

  3. Updated the guidance documents to make it clear that the changes to the MOT have been introduced.

  4. Added a new document covering other important information for MOT testers.

  5. Removed ‘master cylinder cap missing’ as one of the defects that will no longer cause an MOT test fail, and replaced the MOT changes presentation for training sessions.

  6. Updated the document about MOT inspection manual changes, as the manuals are now available in webpage format rather than PDF files.

  7. Added a link to the MOT testing service training environment in the 'Identifying and recording the new defects on the MOT testing service' guidance.

  8. First published.

This publication was withdrawn on

This guidance was published to help MOT testers prepare for changes made to the MOT test on 20 May 2018.

The guidance is no longer current. It is not being updated.

Check the MOT inspection manual for cars and passenger vehicles or MOT inspection manual for motorcycles for the current testing standards.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Overview of MOT changes from May 2018

HTML

Identifying and recording the new defects on the MOT testing service

HTML

MOT inspection manual changes

HTML

Diesel vehicle emission limits

HTML

Brakes and steering

HTML

Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension and chassis frame and attachments

HTML

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

HTML

[Withdrawn] MOT changes presentation for training sessions

MS PowerPoint Presentation, 1.17 MB

[Withdrawn] Poster: default diesel limits from 20 May 2018

PDF, 140 KB, 1 page

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Details

The way MOT testing works changed on 20 May 2018.

Use this guidance if you’re an MOT tester or involved in running MOT centres. It explains:

  • what the main changes to the MOT test were from 20 May 2018
  • what you’ll need to do differently
  • how the MOT inspection manual changed
  • how the MOT testing service changed

The changes to the MOT are one of the MOT annual training and assessment topics for 2018 to 2019.

The guidance includes presentations that authorised examiners can download and use with their MOT testers during training sessions.

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