A Simple Guide To The New MOT Changes

18 Posted: 18th May 2018
A Simple Guide To The New MOT Changes

A number of changes to MOT testing will come into effect on Sunday 20 May 2018. Here’s a straightforward guide to what the changes are, why the test is changing and also how it will affect UK drivers.

  • Why Are MOTs Changing?

    Directive 2014/45 comes into effect on 20 May 2018 to help improve road safety standards across the whole of the European Union. This Directive will involve changes to the way cars, vans, motorcycles and other light passenger vehicles are tested.

    Although the UK voted on 23 June 2016 to leave the EU we are still a full member when these laws come into effect so the UK government could face substantial fines if it doesn’t introduce these changes. There’s also a risk that vehicles without a compliant EU MOT would not be allowed into other EU countries.

  • New MOT Testing & Certification

    From 20 May 2018 all drivers putting their vehicle through its MOT will be issued with a different style of MOT certificate which reflects the changes to the test. Previously PASS, FAIL and ADVISORY were the categories used in all MOTs with the table below showing the new categories and what they mean.

    Item Result What It Means About The Item How It Affects The MOT Result
    Dangerous A direct and immediate risk to road safety or has a serious impact on the environment - Do not drive the vehicle until it’s been repaired. FAIL
    Major It may affect the vehicle’s safety, put other road users at risk or have an impact on the environment - Repair it immediately. FAIL
    Minor No significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment - Repair as soon as possible. PASS
    Advisory It could become more serious in the future - Monitor and repair it if necessary. PASS
    Pass It meets the minimum legal standard - Make sure it continues to meet the standard. PASS
  • How Will This Affect UK Drivers?

    All vehicles will be subjected to additional checks as part of the updated MOT tests so items that may have passed or been advisory before may cause a vehicle to fail its MOT now. Although these changes are likely to cost drivers slightly more in repairs they can have peace of mind that their vehicle will be in a better condition afterwards than it would under the current MOT standards.

    Additional checks on lights, brakes and steering form part of the new MOT tests plus there’s stricter engine emissions level criteria.

  • FAQs

    The team at your local Pentagon Repair Centre will be happy to explain exactly how these changes have affected a vehicle once a full MOT test has been carried out. A few of the most asked questions about the changes are listed below.

    Why is a car now considered dangerous to drive?

    The government have introduced new defect categories as part of the MOT. Pentagon technicians have to identify and record all items considered dangerous as defined by the government. As part of Pentagon’s legal obligation all items identified as dangerous would need to be fixed before being driven otherwise the vehicle would be considered dangerous to you and other road users so therefore illegal to drive.

    Anyone driving a ‘dangerous’ car that is stopped by the police could be fined £2,000 and be given 3 points on their licence under the new rules. Therefore it is recommended that customers act on the advice given by Pentagon technicians to keep a vehicle within the law.

    The MOT states the vehicle has a number of minor defects, why has it passed?

    These defects do not pose a risk to road safety or the environment, however customers should still get the items repaired as soon as possible.

    What is the difference between a Minor defect and an Advisory?

    Minor faults are considered a defect while advisories are not defects but could develop into one in the future.

    Minor defects are defective today but have no significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or do not negatively impact the environment. However, they should be repaired as soon as possible.

    Advisory items are not defective today, but could become more serious in the future and therefore may develop into a major or dangerous defect. At this stage you should just monitor and repair it when necessary.

    My car has failed its MOT with a dangerous defect, can I still drive the car?

    No, it is not responsible or lawful to drive a dangerous vehicle on the road, the vehicle should be repaired immediately or recovered and sent for repair. As mentioned previously drivers could face serious consequences if the police catch them in a ‘dangerous’ vehicle.

    Book A MOT Test

Notification

If you have a query relating to Discretionary Commission Agreements please email customer.care@pentagon-group.co.uk However, please note that if your query related to a purchase more that 7 years ago we will no longer hold any details due to our data retention policy.

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Representative Finance Example
APR Representative 13.9%
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