Southwark Disablement Association

As of January 1, 2012, the Department of Transport has added a series of changes to the MOT criteria to reflect the complexity of modern cars' electronics. From faulty tyre pressure monitoring systems to steering lock checks, the MOT 'pass' criteria is now stricter than it was. This, of course, means more cost to the already hard hit motorist.

The main changes to the MOT include:

Dashboard

The new MOT test will check the warning lights are working properly for the main beam headlights, power steering, brake fluid, tyre-pressure monitor, air bag, seat belt pre-tensioner, electronic parking brake and electronic stability control, where present.

The speedometer must be complete and fully operational. If the dial glass is broken or the speedometer cannot be illuminated, the car will fail the test.

Lighting

If any of the lights have been modified - with coloured lenses for example - to result in their colour or intensity being altered, your vehicle will also fail.
For vehicles with High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps, a failure will be issued if the HID system doesn't include headlamp cleaning and levelling systems, or if they don't work properly.

Power

A battery which is insecure or leaking electrolyte will result in failure. Also, any visible wiring which is insecure, bared by worn insulation, not properly supported or capable of causing a short will trigger a failure.

A vehicle will fail if it had a catalytic converter which has since been removed, or if it has damaged or chafed fuel pipes.

Steering

Dysfunctional or absent steering locks, where fitted as standard, will now cause the vehicle to fail - as will missing or damaged dust covers and suspension ball joints.

Other extras

The driver's seat fore and aft adjustments, which move the seat forwards and backwards, must be able to be secured in two or three different positions. If the vehicle has electric seats, the motors must be able to move the seat fore and aft.

Doors must be easily opened and closed from the inside and outside. Tow bars must be free from inappropriate repairs or modifications and the airbag must be present and working if it was fitted as standard.

When do I need to make the changes?

The new rules come into play from January 1 but there is an initial grace period of three months. During this time the rules will be treated only as 'advisories', meaning motorists will have until their first MOT after April 1, 2012 to have any of the new listed problems addressed. From that date onward however, breaking one of the rules will result in an immediate MOT fail.

Keeping costs down

The safety features of modern cars might help lower the cost of your car insurance, but the new MOT rules have widened the scope for failing the test, which means the likelihood of having to fork out for repairs may have also gone up.

If your car insurance is due for renewal, you could offset the potential extra costs by shopping around for a cheaper policy instead of sticking with your current provider.

An excellent resourse to help you search for the cheapest car insurance is Money Saving Expert.

This site will give you all the information on car insurance you could ever need. They also give information on how to save money in other areas so do have a good look round