MOT special notice 06-18: EU roadworthiness directive updates
Published 8 May 2018
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2018
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1. Diesel smoke meter update
On 20 May 2018, the EU roadworthiness directive introduces new emission limits for diesel vehicles at MOT inspections. This will mean upgrading the software on diesel smoke meters or replacing it with a new meter.
This is a mandatory upgrade, and all vehicle testing stations must do this. It will not be acceptable for garages to not make this upgrade.
DVSA is aware of 2 issues that garages are finding, which are:
- the availability of upgrades following order, by 20 May
- not receiving new smoke meters following order, by 20 May
For both situations, a workaround is possible, until 30 September 2018. This workaround is only permissible where an upgrade or new meter have been ordered.
During that period you may be asked to provide evidence that an upgrade or new equipment has been ordered.
In any other circumstance of your equipment not being able to test to the new standards - you cannot carry on MOT testing.
1.1 Upgrade details
You should, by now, have organised your upgrade or new equipment. However, if you have not – you may still need to check if your current meter can be upgraded. There are some older types that cannot be updated. Where this is the case then new equipment should have been ordered.
The Garage Equipment Association publish information on which types can be updated. Scroll to the bottom and download the diesel smoke meter list.
If your diesel smoke meter doesn’t appear in the list or if you have any questions about the upgrade please contact info@gea.co.uk.
1.2 Temporary workaround
You only need to use the workaround for:
- vehicles first used on or before 1 January 2014 with a plate value of less than 1.5
- vehicles first used after 1 January 2014
All other vehicles are tested as normal with the result assessed against the appropriate limits contained in the manual. (In case vehicle’s plate value is lower than the default).
Select vehicle age and engine type as appropriate and complete initial Fast Pass test.
Where the Fast Pass result indicates a pass compare the recorded result with the vehicle’s plate value or default value where not present. If the value is equal or less than the required test value the test is passed and a printout is to be produced. In all other cases proceed as follows.
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Exit the test and select smoke meters diagnostic or manual mode. (If no diagnostic or manual mode is available follow the procedure conducting individual Fast Pass tests).
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Conduct 3 tests - following the meter prompts.
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Calculate the average of those 3 values (by adding them together and dividing by 3).
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If all 3 readings are below the required limit there is no need to work out the average and the vehicle can be passed.
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If the average of 3 consecutive tests equate to a reading at or below the test value then the vehicle passes, otherwise it is a fail.
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Obtain a printout, amending the printed pass/fail result as necessary.
1.3 Unusually low readings
In a small number of cases, you may notice one of the readings is unusually low, for example; if the meter failed to register the result correctly, or the probe was dislodged. In such cases, you should discard the result and start again.
If the vehicle fails but the individual reading are becoming progressively lower, then a second test should be conducted.
1.4 New diesel smoke meters
Where garages are purchasing new diesel smoke meters, they are reminded that they no longer need to notify DVSA of the change.
2. Living vans
From 20 May 2018 the Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) regulations 2017 will come into force which will align domestic regulations with Directive 2014/45/EU.
This means that a vehicle test class is defined by its EU categorisation. M1 vehicles for example are to be considered a class 4 test.
A small number of vehicles that would appear to meet the description for living vans have been type approved as M1 category vehicles. Where a vehicle of this description is presented for test at a centre that can accommodate such a vehicle and the presenter has evidence to confirm the vehicle is approved to the M1 category it shall be tested as a class 4.
The vehicle chassis plate may provide this information or the presenter may be able to provide the V5C with the EU category. Where this evidence cannot be provided the vehicle test class shall be confirmed in the usual manner and tested or declined appropriately.
Prior to 20 May, a test centre may be asked to test one of these vehicles as an M1. Where a test centre that is able to accommodate such vehicles and the EU category of M1 can be established the vehicle shall be tested as a class 4.
The description of a living van can be found in the MOT testing guide section A2.4 page 13.
3. Sign up to DVSA alerts
DVSA has heard from some of you that you do not hear regularly about the updates and changes in MOT.
As we move to the implementation of EU changes on 20 May, DVSA may have the need to communicate urgent updates or changes to VTS site managers and testers. Where this information is not an instruction, an MOT special notice is not appropriate.
A good way to get updates is to sign up to DVSA email alerts.
The sign up process is quick and you can subscribe to ‘MOT news’ and ‘Matters of Testing’ blog to keep up to date.
4. MOT inspection manuals
The MOT inspection manuals are now complete. The final EU versions on GOV.UK can be found at:
- MOT inspection manual for motor cycle and side cars
- MOT inspection manual for private passenger and light commercial vehicles
On 20 May 2018, all previous MOT inspection manuals you may have copied or stored must not be referred to.
5. Contingency testing (CT)
The format of contingency testing certificates have been altered to reflect the changes required by the EU roadworthiness directive.
AEDMs and testers must not use existing CT documents after 19 May 2018. And any unused copies must be destroyed.
New contingency testing documents will be available from 20 May 2018.
VTSs must download from the MOT testing service at least one copy of each certificate and can:
- save the copies on a PC or tablet and print them as and when they are needed
- print them and photocopy them as and when needed
6. Testing environment and training material
Testers are reminded that there is now a training environment that replicates the changes you will see in MOT testing service on 20 May 2018. This facility has been developed to help ease the transition into the EU directive changes.
Testers are encouraged to use this environment which allows you to carry out simulated tests with real vehicle information.
It may be useful to carry out simulated tests on vehicles that you have tested previously using the same registration numbers, VIN numbers and defects.
The training environment will be available until 27 May 2018.
Log into the training environment using your user ID and password as normal, nothing that is done in the training environment will affect anything in the live environment.
Note: Recent password changes in the live system may not be reflected in the training system when this occurs follow the change expired password screen prompts to log in. This change will not affect your live system password.
Additional training information can be found on GOV.UK.