>>> http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-servicing-repair/mot-changes-2012.html
The Main Changes:
1.) Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake controls are now included and must be present
and not inappropriately repaired or modified - repair obviously likely adversely
affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle or modification that has seriously weakened
the component.
2.) Electronic Stability Control
Checks of antilock brakes will be extended to include Electronic Stability Control if fitted. The tester will check for the presence and correct operation of the ESC malfunction warning light together with looking for obviously missing, excessively damaged or inappropriately repaired or modified components and electrical wiring, as well as ESC switch missing, insecure or faulty.
3.) Warning Lights
As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will include checks for the correct function of the following where fitted.
* Headlight main beam warning light
* Electronic power steering warning light
* Brake fluid level warning light
* Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light
4.) Steering and Suspension
The new test includes a check on the presence and the function of the steering lock where fitted as standard.
Missing, or split cover dust covers on steering and suspension ball-joints will result in failure
if they allow dirt to enter the joint.
Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir
5.) Lighting
Products on the lens or light source that obviously reduce the lights intensity or change its colour will become a reason for failure - applies to front/rear position lamps, registration plate lamps, stop lamps, rear fog and direction indicators.
Head light requirements are updated to take account of the particular characteristics of High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps
HD headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high, so they are generally ( if light output exceeds 2000 lumens) fitted in conjunction with headlamp cleaning and levelling systems. Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are fitted the tester will switch on the headlamps and check the operation of ant headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted
The car will fail if a headlamp levelling or cleaning device is inoperative or otherwise obviously defective
6.) Electrical Wiring and Battery
An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as well as a battery that is leaking electrolyte.
Visible wiring that is insecure, inadequately supported or likely to cause a short will also result in a failure as well as wires bared by damaged insulation.
7.) Speedometer
The car will fail if a speedometer is not fitted. incomplete, inoperative, has a dial glass broken/missing or cannot be illuminated.
8.) Seats
It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft
9.) Doors
A rear door that cannot be opened from the outside using the relevant control, is a new reason for failure
Doors must be easy to open and close - hinges, catches and pillars will be inspected
10.) Exhaust
A catalytic converter fitted as original equipment but missing, will be a reason for failure
11.) Fuel System
Damage or chaffed fuel pipes will result in failure
(updated 5 March 2013)
The Main Changes:
1.) Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake controls are now included and must be present
and not inappropriately repaired or modified - repair obviously likely adversely
affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle or modification that has seriously weakened
the component.
2.) Electronic Stability Control
Checks of antilock brakes will be extended to include Electronic Stability Control if fitted. The tester will check for the presence and correct operation of the ESC malfunction warning light together with looking for obviously missing, excessively damaged or inappropriately repaired or modified components and electrical wiring, as well as ESC switch missing, insecure or faulty.
3.) Warning Lights
As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will include checks for the correct function of the following where fitted.
* Headlight main beam warning light
* Electronic power steering warning light
* Brake fluid level warning light
* Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light
4.) Steering and Suspension
The new test includes a check on the presence and the function of the steering lock where fitted as standard.
Missing, or split cover dust covers on steering and suspension ball-joints will result in failure
if they allow dirt to enter the joint.
Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir
5.) Lighting
Products on the lens or light source that obviously reduce the lights intensity or change its colour will become a reason for failure - applies to front/rear position lamps, registration plate lamps, stop lamps, rear fog and direction indicators.
Head light requirements are updated to take account of the particular characteristics of High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps
HD headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high, so they are generally ( if light output exceeds 2000 lumens) fitted in conjunction with headlamp cleaning and levelling systems. Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are fitted the tester will switch on the headlamps and check the operation of ant headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted
The car will fail if a headlamp levelling or cleaning device is inoperative or otherwise obviously defective
6.) Electrical Wiring and Battery
An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as well as a battery that is leaking electrolyte.
Visible wiring that is insecure, inadequately supported or likely to cause a short will also result in a failure as well as wires bared by damaged insulation.
7.) Speedometer
The car will fail if a speedometer is not fitted. incomplete, inoperative, has a dial glass broken/missing or cannot be illuminated.
8.) Seats
It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft
9.) Doors
A rear door that cannot be opened from the outside using the relevant control, is a new reason for failure
Doors must be easy to open and close - hinges, catches and pillars will be inspected
10.) Exhaust
A catalytic converter fitted as original equipment but missing, will be a reason for failure
11.) Fuel System
Damage or chaffed fuel pipes will result in failure
(updated 5 March 2013)
By the seaside...
