New MOT Additions (ATTENTION: All with removed headlight washers!)

[Skeeter]

From January 1st 2012 there are some additions to the MOT test. They are:

Headlights:

4.1.4 Compliance with requirements:
(a ) Lamp, emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
(B ) Products on lens or light source which obviously reduce light intensity or change emitted colour
(c ) Light source and lamp not compatible

4.1.5. Levelling devices (where mandatory):
(a ) Device not operating.
(B ) Manual device cannot be operated from driver’s seat.

4.1.6 Headlamp cleaning device (where mandatory):
Device not operating.

Engine Control:

6.1.9 Engine performance:
(a ) Control unit illegally modified.
(B ) Illegal engine modification.

4.11. Electrical wiring
(a ) Wiring insecure or not adequately secured.
(B ) Wiring deteriorated.
(c ) Damaged or deteriorated insulation

Airbag and seat belt pre-tensioner systems:

7.1.4. Safety belt Pre-tensioners:
Pre-tensioner obviously missing or not suitable with the vehicle.

7.1.5. Airbag:
(a ) Airbags obviously missing or not suitable with the vehicle.
(B ) Airbag obviously non-operative.

7.1.6. SRS Systems:
SRS MIL indicates any kind of failure of the system.

Most of these are of no real worry, however, this bit is:

4.1.6 Headlamp cleaning device (where mandatory):
Device not operating.

For years there have been people trolling the internet telling people who have HIDs and remove their washers that there cars are illegal or will fail their MOT. This is simply not true. There is a requirement for car manufacturers to fit washers to cars fitted with HID headlights when produced, but the presence or functionality of these washers has never been part of the MOT test, or a legal requirement. Removing HID washers is perfectly fine.

However, this will change come 1st January. The Mandatory bit in the addition presumably implys that it is for those cars who were mandated to have them when manufactured, i.e. all RS Clios with HIDs.

Therefore, from 1st January 2012 Clios with the HID headlights and washer blanks fitted to remove the washers will fail their MOT's. Its a right bummer for me, as I still have mine fitted, they just don't work

 

[tom172cup]

What about this part then
Engine Control:

6.1.9 Engine performance:
(a ) Control unit illegally modified.
(B ) Illegal engine modification.

what is classed as illegal engine mods

 

[Skeeter]

As far as I can tell, nobody really knows yet.

 

[DaveDreads]

Illegal ecu mod, what the hell does that mean?

I guess airbag missing means no aftermarket steering wheels.

 

[Sir_Dave]

7.1.4. Safety belt Pre-tensioners:
Pre-tensioner obviously missing or not suitable with the vehicle.

7.1.5. Airbag:
(a ) Airbags obviously missing or not suitable with the vehicle.


Hmmm, i have harnesses & a steering wheel with no airbag.

Two crates of Stella on the passenger seat this year then ...

 

[tom172cup]

Think the majority of clios on here wont be getting a "legal" MOT then

 

[Adam.]

lol!

 

[Scrooge]

I like the kind of MOTs where the car doesn't even enter the testing station

 

[SimonR.]

eBay chip I reckon unless they have some new obd program to check if it has been re-mapped but tbh I don't reckon they will look that much into it.

Remember this is not supposed to add any extra time to the test so they won't be in depth checks

 

[SimonR.]

I like the kind of MOTs where the car doesn't even enter the testing station

The ones where you text the vin to someone and it has a years mot? Yeah thats the biscuit

 

[Skeeter]

The trouble is most of the new points are really ambiguous. The headlights one is easy, if they should be there and there not, fail. Most of the others are proper grey areas.

However, the ECU and modifications ones are likely not to do with remaps. It looks like these are replacement ECUs or mods to the engine that mean it falls foul of EU regulations (usually to do with emissions). Remapping and fitting a new air filter aren't going to be a problem.

 

[Scrooge]

The ones where you text the vin to someone and it has a years mot? Yeah thats the biscuit

Thats the one, like magic.

 

[tom172cup]

so major engine ECU work is going to be a problem then

 

[Skeeter]

Only if its illegal, which it won't be.

 

[Adam.]

I'd wait till VOSA officially announce this tbh.....unless someone can provide a link to it on the VOSA site?

 

[DaveDreads]

This is on overclockers
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=19271358

Looks like I might have to sort that knackered CV gaitor i've had for a while.

 

[Skeeter]

Its been under consultation on the VOSA site for ages, closed on the 27th May. I assume this is an early leak of the results of it.

For clarification, illegal mods are mods that are (unsurprisingly), illegal. It is not against the law in the UK to fit different air filters or remap your ECU, so they are fine. Infact, there is very little you can do to an engine in the UK that is against the law (if anything at all). This is different in other EU countries, and the wording is being standardised across Europe.

The ones that may be an issue are the washers, and the seatbelt/airbag rules.

 

[Fletcher]

What about this part then
Engine Control:

6.1.9 Engine performance:
(a ) Control unit illegally modified.
(B ) Illegal engine modification.

what is classed as illegal engine mods

I've heard that supercharging a Clio will also be a instant MOT fail

Good job my headlight washers are reet then :approve:

 

[Gally]

Lols I won't even mention how my emissions test went on my last MOT!

Ah the perks when your Dad runs the workshop...

 

[tom172cup]

I've heard that supercharging a Clio will also be a instant MOT fail

Good job my headlight washers are reet then :approve:

better find a "Friendly" garage then or take my trailer licence

 

[Fred@BTM]

so the dynacup is knackered then, the ABS was thrown in the bin ages ago LOL

isle of man registration it is then

 

[Fletcher]

better find a "Friendly" garage then or take my trailer licence

:rasp:

I've got to sort a trailer licence out somewhen also.

 

[Rob]

LOL, the only time my car would see the inside a straight MOT station would be if I crashed into one!

 

[drhowser]

Bugger!

 

[Fred@BTM]

^you'll need an IOM plate too

 

[Adam.]

Inappropriate suspension repairs or modifications..............

Low's gonna get you a fail. At least Gally will be safe

 

[drhowser]

^you'll need an IOM plate too

And a jar of vaseline by the sounds of it!

Could be a new BTM product line, registration at Sam's house...

 

[Dan]

I shall now make some friends who work in MOT stations

 

[Icarus83]

This is on overclockers

Looks like I might have to sort that knackered CV gaitor i've had for a while.

I had my Cup fail on its O/S/F gaitor in Feb as the larger retaining strap had failed (I knew it was loose before I even took it to the garage with my own pre-MOT-whatsmycargoingtofailonthisyear check). I thought "hang on thats not part of the test" but it is on the VOSA system as my fail certificate had the reference to the 'rule' it failed it on. It may just have different wording for the new test maybe?

 

[Gally]

I can haz suspension change with zero Jack!

 

[Fred@BTM]

And a jar of vaseline by the sounds of it!

Could be a new BTM product line, registration at Sam's house...

can you register 3000 cars to one address?

 

[drhowser]

Dunno, but if you charge £20 per car and pay him £5 you'll be able to have a nice holiday!

 

[Sir_Dave]

I've heard that supercharging a Clio will also be a instant MOT fail

Course it will lol. It needs to be running in order to get an emissions reading ...

 

[Sam@NP]

hmmm might be able to make some money here.

 

[marinemackay2003]

The ones where you text the vin to someone and it has a years mot? Yeah thats the biscuit

lol tell me more pm

 

[Fletcher]

Course it will lol. It needs to be running in order to get an emissions reading ...

Good point mate..lol

 

[ElkWorks]

mmm, well, my headlight washers have been removed and smoothed over, so thats one thing not to worry about

the cars a shed.

think i may be resitering it at my folks place on the Isle of Man as well then!

 

[Ollie82.]

Gaww Damn.....I'd be gutted if I didn't have a friendly MOT tester to hand...

The Cup would currently fail on:

Decat
No pretensioners
No drivers airbag
MIL on for said missing airbag

And probably a whole raft of other things these Euro fat cat health and safety, environmentalist, tree hugging, car hating, huge bonus earning 'I sit down to pi55' cretins want to deem 'unsuitable'.

 

[Martin_172]

my last mot test i met the guy in a carpark and he had the certifiate with him lol!!

 

[GeorgeH]

There should be a list of mot stations which will pass your car, first time every time.