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Portugal fails to upgrade Vehicle Inspection Centres with new EU safety rules

lorryBrussels 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.
 
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.
__________
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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Comments  

0 #16 Linda paeleman 2019-02-13 11:57
Used Vehicle Check:

It is essential to confirm the write off problems before we purchase a used car. The crucial component that we at Car Analytics offer using our full vehicle check is to indicate that there is an issue at the top of our report and furthermore furnish its subtle elements with Loss type and Category.
+1 #15 Poor Portugesa 2018-05-21 09:21
I agree with Liveaboard - although, soon after taking my 1994 model to IPO, I was obliged to 're-instal' the super-costly catalytic-converter at a recommended garage. When I told my super-efficient, low-cost mecanico, he said that law did not apply until 1995... :sigh:
+5 #14 liveaboard 2018-05-21 07:24
As a mechanic myself, I find the Portuguese MOT regime very comprehensive.
I see a lot of old cars on the roads but the lights, tyres, and brakes work just fine.

I don't like the EU requirement that anti-theft devices have to work though; I took the gizmo off my 18 year old engine as they're responsible for half of all breakdowns today. The car is safer without it.
+11 #13 Emma B 2018-05-20 18:21
One of my neighbour's has a 30 year old car and after reading this item, I jokingly informed them that they are driving an old banger.
They said very quickly... it's not an old banger, it's a classic car ! No answer to that.
+13 #12 Grumpy Grandad 2018-05-20 16:26
Yes Jack vehicles new and old should be maintained in a safe road worthy condition,lack of money no excuse. But to introduce requirements to a safety inspection that are not going to make any difference to road safety only restricted vehicle ownership to those who’s financial situation is above average is not in the best interest of the majority. And yes I drive an old vehicle 24years old maintained by me to above test standard. I fortunately could afford some thing newer but have more faith in my old bus than all the new over engineered rubbish on the roads today.
Oh and I’m ex mechanic of 40 years main dealers and mot tester.
+3 #11 TT 2018-05-20 16:15
The new rules (of which I am not yet aware) will doubtlessly be being introduced to try and boost sales of new(er) cars. Again. It might work to an extent in richer countries but the reality here is that a 'bent' IPO can be had for €80, far less than the cost of the repairs it would take to make said bangers truly road-worthy. The rule-makers are too out-of-touch with reality to know the extent to which this goes on.
-1 #10 Jack Reacher 2018-05-20 15:18
Quoting Margaridaana:
Jack, we seem to be in a minority on this one. Could it be that most of those commenting and red thumbing us are those driving the aforementioned old bangers?! Maybe it depends where one lives.

Portugal bashing is frowned upon on this news portal..even if it is factual. The usual response from online readers is to go back to my Homeland if I don't like the way things are. So yes maybe the majority do drive bangers with dubious mot and a complete disregard for other road users.
-4 #9 Margaridaana 2018-05-20 14:16
Jack, we seem to be in a minority on this one. Could it be that most of those commenting and red thumbing us are those driving the aforementioned old bangers?! Maybe it depends where one lives.
+9 #8 nogin the nog 2018-05-20 12:57
hmm.
The Eu have been looking to rid the roads of older vehicles for some time. Yes all vehicles on the road should be safe, But you can not apply one size fits all. Older vehicles will not compete with newer ones in so many areas .
But they are friendlier to work on and don't need a lap top to source a problem :-* ..
+2 #7 Darren 2018-05-20 12:42
This is an old comment oft repeated but is as relevant today as in the days of fascist dictatorship. That, at any likely interface of the elite and the great unwashed special measures must be made. Portugal's health service (perhaps more of an as it was before the crisis) is one and this Periodic Vehicle Inspection another.
Specialist inspection organisations so never possible to be going down to your local garage run by your mates, with the paperwork but no vehicle and getting the MOT made out there and then - as would become customary in Portugal (and well known to be totally illegal in the UK)

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