New MOT rules came into effect on the 20th of March, effectively making it more difficult for a car to pass the annual safety check. It is thought that many thousands of additional cars will fail the updated test, which brings the UK’s regulations in line with mainland Europe.
For those running older cars, the news could mean costly repairs – or being forced to put their cars on the scrap heap. Some motorists may have been ignoring problems with their cars because they were not part of the MOT. But that has all changed.
The last major revision to the MOT took place in the early 1990s. Since then, the modern car has developed to an almost unrecognisable degree, with some estimates putting the number of computers on board the average car at 40.
The new test will look at seatbelts, dashboard lights, brake fluid, headlights, and numerous other factors. Tyre pressure systems, electric seat motors, the speedometer, the catalytic converter, and whether or not the doors shut properly – are also among the updates to the MOT. Some of these features will of course only be checked if the model was built with them in the first instance.
The new MOT will continue to take place annually, as opposed to every 24 months, as in most EU countries. Many EU tests also wait 4 years for the next test following an initial examination.
Maintaining your car as and when a problem develops is advisable, so it can be rectified before it gets worse. Good car maintenance, along with reliable breakdown cover, are arguably must-haves in order to enjoy safe driving.
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