MOT Questions Answered by Autocentres
Although your MOT is an annual occurrence and is not compulsory, this does not mean that you don’t have a number of questions about the MOT vehicle inspection and other aspects that it involves. At Autocentres, we have offered MOTs in Pontypool and the surrounding areas for many years. We have compiled the answers to some of the commonly asked questions about the MOT vehicle inspection. If you have any further questions about an MOT, or you are looking for an MOT in Pontypool then enquire with our team today by using a contact form on our website. Alternatively, contact our team directly by telephoning: 01495 239 953
What is Involved in an MOT
You may be wondering what an MOT actually is. The MOT scheme is designed to ensure that vehicles are safe on the roads. It’s designed to ensure as much as is possible that every car, motorcycle and light transportation vehicles that are more than 3 years old are properly maintained and that the vehicle complies with the most important safety aspects as dictated by the law. Your vehicle must be checked with an MOT vehicle inspection annually and you are not allowed to drive a vehicle without an MOT certificate. If you are driving to your MOT then you can provide evidence that you are travelling to have an MOT carried out if you are stopped by police. You can be fined up to £1000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.
MOT Rule Changes (20th May 2018)
You may have questions about the somewhat recent rule changes that applied to the MOT test. In summary, the test put into place new defect types, stricter rules for diesel car emissions whilst exempting some vehicles over 40 years old. Defects are now categorised into three categories:
- Dangerous
- Major
- Minor
Each item is now to be tested with these categories in mind with dangerous or major defects prompting the failure of the MOT result. Minor defects pose no significant effect on the safety of your vehicle and have no significant impact on the environment. These will be advised to be repaired as soon as possible wot advisories being advice about items you need to monitor. You will have to have a major defect repaired immediately and you should not drive your vehicle if it has a dangerous defect.
There’s now stricter rules and limits for diesel car emissions for vehicles with a diesel particulate filter (DPF.) This filter captures and stores soot that is emitted from the exhaust which in turn reduces emissions from diesel cars. Check your vehicle handbook if you’re unsure as to whether your vehicle has a DPF fitted. If there’s any colour coming from the exhaust or evidence that your DPF has been tampered with then you will fail your MOT.
There’s some new items that have also been added to the MOT test. This consists of:
- Checking for fluid leaks that pose a risk to the environment
- Checking headlight washers (if the vehicle has this) on vehicles first used from 01/09/09
- Checking reversing lights are in good order on vehicles first used from 01/09/09
- Checking daytime running lights on a vehicle that was first used from 01/03/18
- Checking tyres to see if they are clearly under inflated during the check
- Checking brake fluid for contamination of the fluid
- Checking brake pad warning lights whilst also making sure that checks are made to see if discs are missing
The MOT certificate has changed in design to account for the changes in new categories and some vehicles that are over 40 years old have now been made exempt from having an MOT carried out if they have not been substantially changed.
Arrange For Your MOT in Pontypool Today
Should you have any other questions about your MOT or what the MOT test involves then enquire with our friendly team today. We’ve carried out countless MOTs for our customers in Pontypool and we can use our experience to advise you on any questions that you may have. Our aim is to make the sometimes stressful experience as stress-free as possible and we will advise and support you should you have any questions about the process. Contact our team to arrange for one of our top quality MOTs in Pontypool today. For an MOT near me in Pontypool or MOT check in Pontypool, fill in a contact form on our website or telephone our team direct now on: 01495 239 953