Body structure and attachments (6)

MOT Test of vehicle structure, body condition (corrosion) and security

This section covers the condition of the general structure of the vehicle (body) – including rust, corrosion etc, but doesn’t include ‘prescribed areas’ – parts of the structure to which Testable items such as brakes, steering, suspension and seat belt mountings etc are attached. Corrosion or rust in ‘prescribed’ areas will result in a ‘fail’. The condition of ‘prescribed areas’ for these items is covered under their respective headings.

Inspections

The following additional inspections will be required regarding the condition of your vehicle’s structure, its body, and whether or not anything is likely to become detached (insecure), and so cause a hazard to other drivers.

The following inspections still apply, including body condition (corrosion) and components such as spoilers, bumpers and mirror housings.

For vehicles with a separate body, the body must not be so insecure or displaced so that it might lead to loss of control of the vehicle when driven, or be a danger to other road users.

There must be no dangerous sharp edges or projections caused by rust, corrosion or damage which is dangerous to other road users including pedestrians.

Vehicle structure (6.1.1)

The vehicle structure must be intact with regard to:

A ‘main load-bearing structural member’ which will fail if it is:

fractured or deformed such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced
fractured or deformed such that steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected

Strengthening plates and fastenings will fail if they are:

insecure
fractured or deformed and likely to affect braking and steering

Structural corrosion can also cause a failure if:

the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
the vehicle’s steering and braking is adversely affected

General corrosion
A vehicle can also fail with respect to corrosion (or rust) for:

Excessive corrosion in a ‘prescribed area’ — within 30 cms of certain safety related components, e.g. brakes, steering, suspension, seat belt mountings etc.
Excessive corrosion not in a ‘prescribed area’, but which is likely to adversely affect the vehicle’s braking or steering.

‘Excessive corrosion’ can mean a hole or a significantly weakened structure.

The following categories apply to defects in this section:

Defect	Category
a. A main load-bearing structural member: i. fractured or deformed such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced	Major
ii. fractured or deformed such that steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected	Dangerous
b. Strengthening plates or fastenings: i. insecure	Major
ii. so insecure that structural rigidity is seriously reduced	Dangerous
c. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: i. the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced	Major
ii. steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected	Dangerous

Engine mountings

This inspection also includes gearbox mountings that provide essential support for the engine.

Body corrosion close to an engine mounting will only be rejected if it’s so severe that it results in excessive movement.

Checked for:

Presence
Security
Condition

The following categories apply to defects in this section:

Defect	Category
a. engine mounting or bracket: i. severely damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement	Major
ii. fractured, missing or excessively loose	Dangerous

Body and interior

Body condition

This inspection is for all vehicles and includes:

all body panels
undertrays
spoilers
mirror housings

A ‘body pillar’ applies only to the load carrying area of a goods vehicle.

An unsafe modification is one that is likely to cause injury.

The following categories apply to defects in this section:

Defect	Category
a. A body panel or body component: i. damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted, or insecure	Major
ii. likely to become detached	Dangerous
b. A body pillar: i. insecure	Major
ii. so insecure that load stability or security likely to be seriously impaired	Dangerous
c. The passenger compartment in such a condition that: i. it permits the entry of exhaust fumes	Major
ii. exhaust fumes lead to a danger to health of persons on board	Dangerous
d. Body: i. has an unsafe modification	Major
ii. modification likely to adversely affect braking or steering	Dangerous
e. A bootlid, tailgate, dropside, loading door or access panel cannot be secured in the closed position	Major

Bumpers

The following categories apply to defects in this section:

Defect	Category
a. Bumper: i. insecure or with damage likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted	Major
ii. likely to become detached	Dangerous

Cab and body mounting

The Tester will inspect vehicles with a separate body and/or cab.

The Tester will assess for corrosion within 30cm of the mountings of the body or cab and its chassis.

The following categories apply to defects in this section:

Defect	Category
a. A body or cab: i. insecure	Major
ii. slightly damaged, chafed or twisted	Dangerous
b. A body or cab obviously not squarely located on chassis	Major
c. Body or cab mounting: i. fixings missing or insecure such that overall security is significantly reduced	Major
ii. fixings missing or insecure such that stability is seriously impaired	Dangerous
d. Body, cab or chassis: i. excessively corroded at mounting points	Major
ii. corroded at mounting points to the extent that overall security or stability is seriously impaired	Dangerous

Floor

The Tester will inspect the floor in the driver, passenger and goods carrying compartments.

Areas of floor within a ‘prescribed area’ are covered in sections 1 (brakes), 2 (steering), 5 (axles, wheels, tyres and suspension) and 7 (other equipment).

The following categories apply to defects in this section:

Defect	Category
a. A floor: i. excessively deteriorated or insecure	Major
ii. so deteriorated or insecure it is likely to cause loss of control of the vehicle, injury, load insecurity or instability	Dangerous