Inspection Manual changes – May 2018

This is a list of the new MOT Test items as at 18th May 2018 – as complete as we can make it with the present information available to us. Items are listed under the headings which they appear under in the new Manual.

Section reference numbers in the new Manual are in brackets eg: (2.2.1)

Items which have been removed have been highlighted.

Testers are advised to consult the new online inspection Manual at:
https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/
for definitive guidance.

New test items

Brake fluid (1.8)
Additional braking device performance (1.5)
Daytime running lamps (4.2)
Front fog lamps (4.5)
Reversing lamps (4.6)
Bumpers (6.1.4)
Prop shafts (6.1.7)
All rear drive shafts (6.1.7)
Cab security (6.2.2)
Cab steps (6.2.8)
Floors (6.2.4)
Passenger hand grips (quads and heavy trikes only) (6.2.12)
Noise suppression material (8.1.1)
Undertray security (6.2.1)
Emission control equipment (8.2)
• Oxygen sensor (8.2.1.1)
• NOx sensor
• Exhaust gas recirculation valve (8.2.1.1)
• Other emission control equipment
Engine Malfunction indicator lamp (8.2.1.2)
DPF tampering (8.2.2)
Fluid leaks – engine, transmission etc (8.4.1)

Introduction

Introduction of EU Type Approval categories (2)
Clarification of Dual purpose vehicle definition (2)
American and Canadian pick-up trucks up to 6500kg added to Class 4 (2)
Information about Vehicles of Historic Interest added (3)
Reason to refuse to test for presence of a load added (4)
Reasons for Rejection changed to Defects (7)
Minor, Major and Dangerous defect categorisation (7, 18)
Definition of insecure added (11)
Definition of unsafe modification added (12)
Changes to ‘extensively modified vehicles to include modifications for disabled use (13)

Identification of Vehicle (0.2)

Checks for two different VINs removed.
New failure for VIN obviously falsified (0.2)

Brakes (1)

New failure for brake lining or pad wear indicator illuminated (1.1.13)
New failure for brake lining or pad incorrectly mounted (1.1.13)
New failure for a brake disc or drum missing (1.1.14)
New failure for incorrectly installed brake slack adjuster (1.1.15)
New failure for additional braking device insecure or inoperative (1.1.17)
New failures for other braking system components damaged or corroded e.g. air dryer, antifreeze pump (1.1.21)
ABS system cannot be removed on a post 2010 vehicle (1.6)
New failure for brake fluid contaminated (1.8)
New failures for air brake reservoir drain device (1.1.9)
Checks for reserve pressure of full power hydraulic systems removed

Steering (2)

New failures for sector shaft condition (2.1.1)
New failure for steering gear fixing holes elongated (2.1.2)
New failures for electronic power steering wiring damaged or corroded (2.6)
New failure relating to ‘fly by wire’ steering systems (2.6)

Visibility (3)

Driver’s field of vision definition updated (3.1)
View of exterior mirrors added (3.3)
New failure for excessively tinted glass (3.2)
Class 5 glazing now only applies to vehicles first used from 1 June 1978 and no longer applies to interior doors or panels.

Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (4)

New failure for light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.1)
Headlamp washers tested on vehicles first used on or after 1 September 2009 (4.1.6)
Information added about the interaction between position lamps and other lamps (4.2.1)
Inspection of end-outline marker lamps now applies to Class 4, 5, and 7 (4.2.1)
New failures for daytime running lamps (4.2.1)
New failures for front fog lamps (4.2.2)
New failures for reversing lamps (4.6)

Axles, Wheels, Tyres and Suspension (5)

Failures previously only applicable to large vehicles now apply to any vehicle

Improved information about assessing tyre damage (5.2)
Reference to stretched tyres included (5.2.3)
New failure for tyre obviously under-inflated on TPMS equipped vehicles post 1 Jan 2012 (5.2.3)
New failure for a spring missing (5.3.1)
Tyre tables now in Appendix B (Appendix B)
Checks for tyre structure between axles removed
Checks for tyre correctly seated on the bead rim removed
Checks of tyre valves removed
Failure for fitment of a space-saver wheel removed

Body, Structure and Attachments (6)

Vehicle structure now fails if its rigidity is significantly reduced (6.1.1)
New checks for strengthening plates and fastening (6.1.1)
Exhaust fumes entering cabin failure extended to all vehicles (6.1.2)
Information about fuel tanks holed above the fuel line added (6.1.3)
New failures for fuel tank and exhaust shields missing (6.1.3)
New failure for any part of a gas fuel system defective (6.1.3)
New failures for bumper security (6.1.4)
New failure for spare wheel carrier condition (6.1.5)
New failures for towbar safety devices and coupling indicators (6.1.6)
Inspection of drive shafts extended to all transmission shafts, including prop shafts (6.1.7)
Inspection now includes drive belts and chains (6.1.7)
Inspection of body condition now includes unsafe modifications, component security, including undertrays as well as body pillars on goods vehicles (6.2.1)
New failures for cab security (6.2.2)
New failures for floor condition (6.2.4)
New failures for seat structure condition (6.2.5)
New failures for cab steps (6.2.8)
New failures for footrests and handgrips where fitted (6.2.12)

Other Equipment (7)

Seat belt fitment information moved to Appendix C (Appendix C)
Seat belt installation checks moved to Section 10 (10)
New failure for seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2)

Nuisance (8)

This new Section includes noise, emissions and fluid leaks

New failures for noise suppression material (8.1.1)
New failures for exhaust emission control equipment (8.2.1.1)
New failures for induction leaks (8.2.1.1)
New failure for engine malfunction indicator lamp (8.2.2.1)
New failure for evidence that a diesel particulate filter (DPF) has been tampered with (8.2.2.1)
Metered smoke test date changed to 1 January 1980 (8.2.2.2)
New smoke limit of 0.7m-1 introduced for vehicles first used on or after 1 January 2014 (8.2.2.2)
Smoke test limits on vehicles post 1 July 2008 will be carried out to either the default standard or the limit on the manufacturers plate where one is displayed (8.2.2.2)
Option to abort the smoke test if levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values after one acceleration (8.2.2.2)
Fast pass no longer exists
Test is passed if specific limit achieved after one acceleration, otherwise after three accelerations, otherwise after up to a maximum of 6 accelerations (8.2.2.2)
New failure for any visible smoke from a vehicle fitted with a DPF (8.2.2.2)
New failures for fluid leaks – engine coolant and Adblue not included (8.4.1)

Structural Integrity and Corrosion (Appendix A)

Change to failure criteria for defects not within a prescribed area
Clarification on acceptable repairs in the case of spot welded panels

Other changes

Inappropriate repair dropped other than for prescribed areas
Inappropriate modification changed to unsafe modification
Where only ‘Minor’ deficiencies exist, a test certificate will still be issued.
Some of these items currently fail the test and include:
• Brake fluid level below minimum mark (1.1.10)
• Master cylinder cap missing (1.1.10)
• Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated or inoperative (1.1.10)
• Power steering fluid below minimum mark (2.1.5)
• Trailer electrical socket insecure (4.10)
• Direction indicator flashing rate (4.4.4)
• One of two registration plate lamps missing or inoperative (4.7.1)
• Several audible warning defects (7.7)
• Many items ‘insecure’ but not likely to become detached (eg. 6)