new MOT rules kicking in nex year

[joecrx]

time to unmod those HID lights and take out your power commanders

2011 VOSA changes to MOT

Still 13 months away until these new regulations come into force, but some interesting changes. From MOT from December 2011, the below changes will come into force, which will be very bad news for some.

HID lights – Specifically those aftermarket kits that give the very bright headlight beams. Any cars found with these kits will be an automatic MOT failure. Testers are able to easily spot the difference between HID kits, and manufacturer fitted Xenon’s. Easy to spot as Xenon cars have suspension level sensors, in car beam adjuster, and usually headlight washers.

Chipped ECU’s - Unsure of just how/if this one will realistically be enforced, but any cars with chipped ECU’s will in theory be an MOT failure. I can only assume VOSA have found an easy way of checking ECU software through the cars OBD port (diagnostic plug).

Wiring harness – The general condition of he wiring harness will be checked to make sure there is no rubbing or chaffing, and that the harnesses are in generally good condition. If unsecure, or damaged again MOT failure.

Airbag warning lights - If any warning lights are illuminated, it will again be an MOT failure.

[tommy]

Bugger. I love my HID kit. 13 months. Gives me time to butter up my MOT tester

[Aladinsaneuk]

I note the word CAR....

i have done a quick check through and all i can see is cars in assorted messages....

[Aladinsaneuk]

and oh - where as a car chip change is really easy to see, on a bike it would be very hard... as it would also be for a PC3....

and HID - having been for a quick peruse of the steed - i reckon it will take me 15 mins to swop the full beam back from HID to standard.... it was the plumbing in of bits that was hard!

[Aladinsaneuk]

and found it

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/M ... 202010.pdf

key words on page 8 - Car and Light goods changes

so - bikers relax :)

[back_marker]

Having had quite a long chat with the tester last time I took a bike for an MOT, he pointed out that a lot of things cannot be checked thoroghly on modern road bikes due to the bodywork, none of which is removed during the test. This means that whilst there may be rules about ECUs and chaffed wiring harnesses, unless the tester can actually see anything without taking panels off the bike then the bike will not fail.

That's my take on it anyway, for what it's worth.

However, now that I have moved again, I now have to go out and find a decent (read sympathetic and bike friendly) MOT tester.

[Aladinsaneuk]

chat with nooj for a decent tester near you - i am certain he will know some one....

[back_marker]

Find the official word on the changes here:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/M ... 202010.pdf

As suggested, only for cars and possibly heavy vehicles. However it also suggests that these may only be some of the changes to the test.

[D-Rider]

Hmmm .... what affects cars usually affects bikes 2 or 3 years later ....


However, I don't understand the basis for these changes - as far as I am aware the things highlighted (well some at least) don't contravene construction and use regs so how can things like running different chips fail an MOT when (as far as I'm aware) it's not illegal to run them?

[Aladinsaneuk]

those wonderful twats in brussels....

is tied into europe - if you read the link i posted you will see why and what ever

[Kwackerz]

Yes, be interesting to see what the thought train behind MOT failing due to an aftermarket chip is.

Or are they going to futher enhance things with Insurance linking to highlight declared mods?

Oh didnt see Alad's post about the time i was composing mine

[D-Rider]

those wonderful twats in brussels....

is tied into europe - if you read the link i posted you will see why and what ever

Hmmm .... but it's only a Directive - and these mean nothing until enshrined in legislation of the member states .... and member states can drag their feet for years beyond the target dates if they choose to - and if they do get round to introducing legislation can interpret it in a variety of ways.
The trouble is our Government tends to use these things as an excuse to push stuff like this through far more aggressively than many other places.

I also wonder what stuff will apply to all vehicles and what only to new vehicles. For example, under current rules, vehicles registered before a certain date can continue to carry smaller number plates.

Another thing I noticed in that information document for things they are considering is that they are not saying chipped ECUs will be failed but that ILLEGAL chipped ECUs will fail.
Not sure what constitutes a legal or an illegal chipped ecu - maybe this is something that affects other member states?

[Aladinsaneuk]

i guess that some ecu's would be illegal in some countries - say for instance if you are german, but went to france - your german bike would be technically chipped in france, but not illegal as it is ok in germany...

that make sense??

and as i understand it, they cannot take body panels off for an mot, only lift the bonnet and boot.... so they would really struggle to enforce this on a bike :)

[Willopotomas]

the other question is how would they police it? I really can't see the already stretched Police service (is that an oxymoron??) going out to find the one's with HID headlights and ECU's with different maps..

One thought on the ECU thing would be whether it plays a part in emissions control.. But that should be flagged up with the current tests one would assume?

Anyway. Who cares. They've gotta catch me first!

[HowardQ]

They don't currently do emission tests on bikes so that would be OK.
Even if introduced, can't see police looking that far into a bike really.
They nick us now for small plates and race cans because they can simply bend down and measure plates or look for "Not for Road Use" or lack of E marks or BS stamps.
As we all know they hardly ever nick boy racers for loud exhausts, as they don't lay underneath a lowered Scoobie looking for missing BS or E marks on the foot wide exhaust.
They do nick 'em for dark window tints, which are easy.
They will only go so far, otherwise it is not worthwhile and we give them a few easy targets..
Insurance companies are something very different and much more scary!
"Did you declare those non standard heated grips sir, sorry your policy is now invalid!
Think how upset, (or HAPPY) they might be if they found a Power Commander and extra large throttle bodies plus a free flowing modified air box that had not been declared, even after you had declared the race cans.