MOT rule changes: 20 May 2018

The MOT test will change on 20 May 2018, with new defect types, stricter rules for diesel car emissions, and some vehicles over 40 years old becoming exempt.

The changes will affect cars, vans, motorcycles and other light passenger vehicles.

There are 5 main changes you need to know.

1. Defects will be categorised differentlyDefects found during the MOT will be categorised as either:

• dangerous
  
• major
  
• minor

The category the MOT tester gives each item will depend on the type of problem and how serious it is. MOT testers will still give advice about items you need to monitor. These are known as ‘advisories’.

2. There will be stricter limits for emissions from diesel cars with a diesel particulate filter (DPF).
A DPF captures and stores exhaust soot to reduce emissions from diesel cars. all model cars have these.
The fitting of a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) became compulsory with the introduction of Euro 5 emissions legislation introduced in 2008. although some larger Diesel engines and 4×4’s had DPF’s fitted much earlier in order to comply with EU4.

Your vehicle will get a major fault if the MOT tester:

• Can see smoke of any colour coming from the exhaust
  
• Finds evidence that the DPF has been tampered with

3. Some new things will be included in the MOT

Daytime running lights on a car
Daytime running lights will be checked on vehicles first used from 1 March 2018.
Some new items will be tested during the MOT.
They include checking:

• if tyres are obviously underinflated
• if the brake fluid has been contaminated
• for fluid leaks posing an environmental risk
  
• reversing lights on all vehicles
  
• brake pad warning lights and if brake pads or discs are missing
  
• headlight washers on vehicles first used from 1 September 2009 (if they have them)
  
• daytime running lights on vehicles first used from 1 March 2018

There will be other smaller changes to how some items are checked. Your MOT centre will be able to tell you about these.

4. The MOT certificate will change

The design of the MOT certificate will change.
It will list any defects under the new categories, so they’re clear and easy to understand.

5. Some vehicles over 40 years old won’t need an MOT
Cars, vans, motorcycles and other light passenger vehicles won’t need to have an MOT if they’re over 40 years old and have not been substantially changed.
At the moment, only vehicles first built before 1960 are exempt from needing an MOT.
When the rules change on 20 May 2018, vehicles won’t need an MOT from the 40th anniversary of when they were registered.
You can check the date the vehicle was registered online.
Example
If a car was first registered on 31 May 1978, it won’t need an MOT from 31 May 2018.
You won’t have to apply to stop getting an MOT for your vehicle. However, each time you tax your historic vehicle (even if you don’t pay a fee), you’ll have to declare it meets the rules for not needing an MOT.

Do you know that you can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.

You can request a text reminder from DVLA by heading over to get a free MOT reminder  or for companies have you considered an online fleet management service where you can not only check your MOT's but all your car and employee details in one place. You also have an App so that employees can carry out vehicle checks. For more details fill in the form below or have a look at our fleet management page.

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