MOT inspection manual for cars and passenger vehicles: changes from 13 September 2018
Published 10 September 2018
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2018
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-special-notice-11-18-changes-to-mot-inspection-manuals-and-defects/mot-inspection-manual-for-cars-and-passenger-vehicles-changes-from-13-september-2018
Overview
The MOT inspection manuals for cars and passenger vehicles (classes 3, 4, 5 and 7) was updated when changes to the MOT were introduced on 20 May 2018.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has monitored how the new test is working. Following feedback from MOT testers, DVSA is making changes to the MOT inspection manual from Thursday 13 September 2018.
The sections that will change are:
- section 0 - identification of the vehicle
- section 1 - brakes
- section 4 - lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
- section 5 - axles, wheels, tyres and suspension
- section 6 - body, structure and attachments
- section 7 - other equipment
- section 8 - nuisance
These changes will not appear in the inspection manual until 13 September 2018.
Section 0: identification of the vehicle
0.2 Vehicle identification number (VIN)
You will need to check that there is not more than one VIN displayed on the vehicle.
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| c. More than one different Vehicle Identification Number displayed | Major |
This defect will be added to section 0.2 of the inspection manual.
Section 1: brakes
1.1.6 Parking brake lever or control
Information about hydraulic parking brakes and electronic parking brakes will be added.
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| f. For vehicles first used on or after 1 January 1968 the parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only | Major |
This defect will be added to section 1.1.6 of the inspection manual.
1.1.12 Flexible brake hoses
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| b (ii). A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched | Major |
| f (i). A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded | Major |
| f (ii). A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded and likely to fail | Dangerous |
These defects changed or added to section 1.1.12 of the inspection manual.
1.1.13 Brake linings and pads
Information will be added to clarify how to identify when a brake pad needs to be replaced.
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a (i). Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator | Major |
This defect will be changed in section 1.1.13 of the inspection manual.
1.1.19 Endurance braking system (where fitted)
The section heading will change from ‘Endurance braking system (where fitted)’ to ‘Additional braking device (retarder), if fitted’.
This heading will be changed in section 1.1.19 of the inspection manual.
1.8 Brake fluid
Information will be added to clarify how to check if brake fluid is contaminated.
This information will be added to section 1.8 of the inspection manual.
Section 4: lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
4.1.2 Headlamp alignment
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| c. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Major |
This defect will be added to section 4.1.2 of the inspection manual.
4.2 Front and rear position lamps, daytime running lamps and end-outline marker lamps
The heading will change from ‘Front and rear position lamps, side marker lamps and end-outline marker lamps’ to ‘Front and rear position lamps, daytime running lamps and end-outline marker lamps’.
4.2.1 Presence, condition and operation - Front and rear position lamps, daytime running lamps and end-outline
Information will be added to clarify how to measure the width of a vehicle.
This information will be added to section 4.2.1 of the inspection manual.
4.2.3 Compliance with requirements - Front and rear position lamps, daytime running lamps and end-outline
Information will be added to clarify how to check position lamps, end-outline marker lamps or daytime running lamps.
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| c. A position lamp adversely affected by the operation of any other lamp | Major |
| c. A outline marker lamp adversely affected by the operation of any other lamp | Major |
These defects will be added to section 4.2.1 of the inspection manual.
4.3.3 Compliance with requirements - Stop lamps
Information will be added to clarify how to check if stop lamps are adversely affected.
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| b. A stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp | Major |
This defect will be added to section 4.3.3 of the inspection manual.
4.4.1 Presence, condition and operation - Direction indicators and hazard warning lamps
Information will be added to clarify tricycles and quadricycles do not need side repeaters.
4.4.3 Compliance with requirements - Direction indicators and hazard warning lamps
Information will be added to clarify how to check if the direction indicators are adversely affected.
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| A direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp | Major |
This defect will be added to section 4.4.3 of the inspection manual.
4.5.4 Compliance with requirements - Front and rear fog lamps
Information will be added to clarify how to check if the rear fog lamps are adversely affected.
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. Front or rear fog lamp emitted colour or position not in accordance with the requirements | Major |
| b. A rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of any other lamp | Major |
These defects will be changed or added to section 4.5.4 of the inspection manual.
4.6.1 Condition and operation - Reversing lamps
Information will be added to clarify that at least one reversing lamp must be fitted.
4.6.2 Compliance with requirements - Reversing lamps
Information will be added to clarify that at least one reversing lamp must be fitted.
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. Reversing lamp emitted colour or position not in accordance with the requirements | Major |
This defect will be changed in section 4.6.2 of the inspection manual.
4.7.1 Presence, condition and operation - Rear registration plate lamps
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| b (i). A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | Minor |
| b (ii). A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | Major |
These defects will be changed in section 4.7.1 of the inspection manual.
Section 5: axles, wheels, tyres and suspension
5.2.3 Tyres
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| j. A tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned likely to cause sudden deflation of the tyre | Dangerous |
| k. A tyre incorrectly seated on the wheel rim | Major |
These defects will be added to section 5.2.3 of the inspection manual.
5.3.2 Shock absorbers
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| c. A shock absorber bush excessively worn | Major |
This defect will be added to section 5.3.2 of the inspection manual.
5.3.3 Suspension arms, rods, struts, sub-frames, anti-roll bars etc.
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| c (ii). A suspension component modified so that the suspension is inoperative or likely to foul other components | Dangerous |
This defect will be changed in section 5.3.3 of the inspection manual.
Section 6: body, structure and attachments
6.1.2 Exhaust system
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure | Major |
This defect will be changed in section 6.1.2 of the inspection manual.
Section 7: other equipment
7.1.1 Seat belt security
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a (i). The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ‘prescribed area’) is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | Major |
This defect will be changed in section 7.1.1 of the inspection manual.
7.7 Audible warning (horn)
The current 8 separate reasons for rejection for horn defects will be consolidated into one.
New or changed defects
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| c. Audible warning sound not in accordance with requirements | Major |
This defect will be changed in section 7.7 of the inspection manual.
Section 8: nuisance
8.2.1 Spark ignition engine emissions
New headings of ‘Vehicles fitted with a different engine’ and ‘Personal imports’ will be added, along with information to clarify which emission standards to test the vehicles to.
This information will be added to section 8.2.1 of the inspection manual.
8.2.1.2 Gaseous emissions
Chart 1 (emissions limits for vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1975) will be updated.
Information will be added about which vehicles need to have their engine malfunction indicator lamps (MIL) inspected.
This information will be added to section 8.2.1.2 of the inspection manual.
8.2.2.2 Opacity
The description will be updated to clarify what limits to test the vehicles and where to find the smoke level test limits.
Information will be added about which vehicles need to have their engine malfunction indicator lamps (MIL) inspected.
This information will be added to section 8.2.2.2 of the inspection manual.