2012 MOT Changes

[Endi_GTI]

Just wondered if anyone had seen these new MOT rules which come in January:

Item 4.1.4 deals with the lamp source and lamp compatibility (Basically Aftermarket HID's)
Item 6.1.9 deals with Engine Performance and ECU re writes (we know how difficult it is going to be to both define and identify "illegal" chipping, would have to rolling road it)
Item 4.11 deals with electrical wiring security and condition
Item 7 deals with safety belts and restraint systems that includes airbag systems missing or malfunction indicator lights illuminated indicating a defect.

Also having any warning light illuminated on your dash means a fail
Having No CAT means a fail



B*stards

Also heard rumour of some new height regulation and suspension travel

[Verity]

Was just at VW and the guys there said it was true Except for the tuning one :s ...Which I hope is right.

[6N2 GTI 00]

Yeah I noticed all the new regulations when I was at my local garage the other week

It’s just becoming more and more petty these days but it’s aimed at getting rid of older cars to reduce the number of cars on the roads.
There is also talk of them introducing the European MOT system which is very 2 years rather every year.

The Older Pre-CAT cars will still pass an MOT without a CAT but any car 1993 upwards has to have one

[benmkiv]

Bit stuffed then :p no airbag, and hid's :p

It will all depend on where you go as usual I expect, I have no airbag to put back on it broke and airbags are pricey.

And hid's I'll just take out for MOT as far as anyone's concerned they're illegal ATM but my tester said as long as they put out the right beam pattern he wasn't bothered who knows

[Trunkz]

I can confirm this. I work at a garage, and these will be brought in early next year. The 2yr European MOT is still a rumour however.

[r12nuts]

there goes my plan for hids...

[SteveHawkins]

I thought the 6N2 came with Xenon (same as HID's right??) from the factory? If so they can't fail your MOT for it surely?

Not entirely sure how they plan to enforce the electrical wiring security one as they'd have to rip apart peoples cars to get to the wiring behind the dash etc?

As mentioned before ECU remaps are difficult to prove I would've thought without a rolling road, unless they are issued with the base map fitted to the car from the factory and any changes to that means a fail. But again I can't see car manufacturers releasing engine management maps as I would've thought that was proprietary information. I mean VAG group won't be to keen on letting loose their maps they have worked on spent tens of thoussands of pounds/euros on and developed to get maximum fuel efficiency out of their cars into the open market to give it to some MOT station who could give it to BMW so they now have all VW's technology.

Airbags and seatbelts I'd have to agree with though, I mean after all that is basic safety right? Regardless how cool that aftermarket steering wheel looks, it's not going to give you any performance advantage, and is designed for racetrack use. So it should be left for the racetrack where your harnessed in with a helmet and no chance of smashing your face against the wheel, when some idiot pulls out infront of you or isn't paying attention and essentially causes an accident.

Just my 2 penneth.

Steve

[Bradley]

I thought the 6N2 came with Xenon (same as HID's right??) from the factory? If so they can't fail your MOT for it surely?

The GTI model only,base models have normal Halogen bulbs and reflector lenses.They are HID's indeed, Xenon is just the type of gas used in the bulb.

[alexperkins]

Its a bit of a grey area on the HID front

It states that Xenons MAY have levellers and washers fitted

However it goes onto say IF they are fitted, they must work

There is no compulsory requirement for these - the main reason for failure of HIDs would be a poor beam pattern.

Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge 3. (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or
headlamp self levelling system.

Where such systems are fitted, they must work; however, it is accepted that it may not be possible to readily determine the functioning of self levelling systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given.

Headlamp washers may work in conjunction with the windscreen washers (when the dipped beam headlamps are switched on) or by a separate switch.

[K.I.T.T.]

Does this requirement for a cat also apply to diesels? They're not required at the moment.

Ash

[6N2 GTI 00]

Does this requirement for a cat also apply to diesels? They're not required at the moment.

Ash

Yes it does include diesels too mate, TDI's without CATs will now fail

If a HID is properly aligned and within the legal tolerance (5000K) it will still pass an MOT

[alexperkins]

Though some diesels have DPFs instead of Cats on newer cars - thats where it starts to get complicated!!

And not necessarily Ben - theres still tester discretion on it even though 'benefit of the doubt' should be given.

[6N2 GTI 00]

Yeah some Garages are more lenient than others I guess

I think we will see alot more people using sport CATs now

[K.I.T.T.]

Hmph. I wonder whether they're still doing the old school smoke test on diesels or if they'll be doing something more fancy. If the former, something that looks like a cat, but isn't a cat should work just fine

Ash