Brussels has given Portugal two months to transpose a series of rules that improve the standard for the annual inspection of automobiles - or else.The European Commission insisted that Portugal’s government gets to grips with transposing the ‘Automotive Technical Inspection Package’ and will appeal to the Court of Justice if this has not happened within two months.
The new EU roadworthiness directive rules were available for adoption in 2014, but Portugal, Slovenia and Spain so far have failed to integrate them into domestic legislation despite the thrust of the package being to improve road safety.
The Community executive states that Portugal and Slovenia, "have not adopted, published or communicated to the Commission any national measures transposing the updated rules on periodic technical inspection of motor vehicles and trailers.” Spain is part way there.
The Directive covers passenger cars, lorries, buses, heavy-duty trailers, motorcycles and tractors with a speed exceeding 40 kmph and defines the items to be checked during the technical inspection, methods of verification, deficiencies and evaluation.
The Directive covers passenger cars, lorries, buses, heavy-duty trailers, motorcycles and tractors with a speed exceeding 40 kmph and defines the items to be checked during the technical inspection, methods of verification, deficiencies and evaluation.
This Community law also introduces minimum requirements for inspection centres, training standards for inspectors and for their supervisory bodies.
"All the Member States named now have two months to respond, otherwise the Commission may decide to bring them before the Court of Justice of the EU," huffed Brussels.
"All the Member States named now have two months to respond, otherwise the Commission may decide to bring them before the Court of Justice of the EU," huffed Brussels.
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The new MOT came into effect in the United Kingdom on 20th May, 2018.
What’s Changing on the New MOT?
In short, MOT tests will no longer be a black and white case of “pass” or “fail”. Instead, every fault found during the test will be categorised as either Dangerous, Major, or Minor. If any Major or Dangerous faults are found during the test, you’re looking at an automatic failure.
If you have any Minor failures, you may still pass the test. But all faults will be recorded on your car’s MOT certificate, and on your online record. This system is to replace the manual advisories that you get today.
What’s Going to be Tested on a New MOT?
A host of new components:
Brake discs – to see if they are “significantly or obviously worn”
Front fog lamps
Daytime running lamps
Reversing lamps
Steering gear casing
Electro-mechanical “fly by wire” steering systems
Noise suppression systems
Anti-theft devices
A host of new components:
Brake discs – to see if they are “significantly or obviously worn”
Front fog lamps
Daytime running lamps
Reversing lamps
Steering gear casing
Electro-mechanical “fly by wire” steering systems
Noise suppression systems
Anti-theft devices
Minor faults refer to issues that “have no significant effect on the safety of the vehicle, or impact on the environment.”
Major defects are those that may compromise your safety, or have an impact on the environment. Dangerous faults are those that pose an immediate risk, to you, to other motorists, and to the environment.
New Rules for Diesel Cars
If you drive a diesel, your diesel particulate filter (DPF) will be checked. Testers have been instructed to look for signs of removal and tampering, and they can refuse to test any car whose DPF canister “has clearly been cut open and re-welded”. If your DPF has been removed for a legitimate reason, such as filter cleaning, expect to be asked to provide evidence.
If you drive a diesel, your diesel particulate filter (DPF) will be checked. Testers have been instructed to look for signs of removal and tampering, and they can refuse to test any car whose DPF canister “has clearly been cut open and re-welded”. If your DPF has been removed for a legitimate reason, such as filter cleaning, expect to be asked to provide evidence.
This new rule is much stricter than the one currently in place. At the moment, cars are only rejected if their DPFs are totally missing.
Your car’s visible emissions will also be checked. If your car emits “visible smoke of any colour”, it’ll count as a Major fault, and you’ll fail the test.
New MOT Rules 2018 – Why are the Changes Being Made?
The EU roadworthiness directive covers all manner of motoring issues, from documentation to inspection. These new MOT rules are being introduced to comply with this EU directive.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) made these changes after a lengthy public consultation. They’re designed to improve the structure of the test while making the results easier for all motorists to understand.
