MOT special notice 04-24: MOT inspection manual and testing guide updates
Published 22 November 2024
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-special-notice-04-24-mot-inspection-manual-and-testing-guide-updates/mot-special-notice-04-24-mot-inspection-manual-and-testing-guide-updates
The MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles and MOT testing guide will be updated on 29 November 2024.
We will cover some of the changes to the inspection manuals and MOT testing guide in this special notice.
To see the full list of changes, select ‘see all updates’ at the top of the MOT inspection manual and ‘see all updates’ at the top of the MOT testing guide from 29 November 2024 onwards.
1. MOT inspection manual updates
The updated guidance will apply to all tests on class 3,4,5 and 7 vehicles from 1 December 2024.
Section 1.1.21: complete braking system
Insecure or missing locking devices will be considered a fail. This applies to the full braking system.
Section 3.4: windscreen wipers
Wipers must operate automatically when you switch them on.
Wipers that do not continue to operate when switched on will fail for 3.4.(a) wiper not operating or missing.
Section 5.3.6: complete suspension system
Insecure or missing locking devices will be considered a fail. This applies to the whole suspension system.
Section 7.1.2: seat belt fitment and condition
The guidance on assessing seat belts in section 7.1.2 will be updated so it’s clearer on what is considered a fail.
New guidance from 1 December 2024
You must check seat belt webbing for:
- cuts
- damage
- fluffing
- fraying
- any evidence of overstretching
You must ensure that the seat belt operation is not affected by any damage.
Any signs of overstretching will be a deficiency.
Cuts or damage (across the belt from side to side) will be considered a major fail if:
- it’s on either edge of the webbing and is over 2mm
- it’s away from the webbing edges but is over 4mm
- it’s anywhere on a child seat belt (this only applies to child seats and restraints that are securely attached to the vehicle using things like Isofix, carabiners, ratchet straps or nuts and bolts)
2. MOT testing guide updates
The updated guidance will apply from 1 December 2024.
Section B: Authorised examiners – premises and equipment
Out of date information is being removed from this section. Site managers no longer need to inform DVSA when the calibration of a piece of equipment that requires it has expired.
Section H: Documentation – emission records
Information is being added to cover when emission records aren’t available on request.
Section I: Discipline
Procedures are being added for cases using the fast track process.
Section M: System rules and user roles
The section covering tester responsibilities is being updated to clarify that it’s the tester’s responsibility to make sure that the equipment they use for an MOT test meets the requirements to test that vehicle.
3. Clarification on how to open Mercedes EQE and EQS bonnets
In special notice 03-24, the instructions in step 4 of ‘Opening Mercedes EQE and EQS bonnets’ could be misleading.
The trim cannot be fully removed due to the wiper arms. You must remove the trim clips and lift the trim to find the brake components, as shown in the picture. You do not need to remove the wiper arms.