ace Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Just seen this that might be of interest to Zed owners with mods to there cars. On 1 January 2012, new rules were added to the current MOT by the Department for Transport (DfT) to comply with European testing procedures. It's a pretty substantial list, but there's one which could mean big bills for thousands of drivers. If your car has any illuminated warning lamps, whether it is the airbag, seatbelt, ESP, SRS, ABS or others, it will soon fail the MOT. It's not all bad news. If your car's MOT runs out before the 31 March 2012 and you have a warning light that needs addressing, the testers will treat it as an 'advisory', i.e. advice on what needs to be done for the next MOT. However, if your MOT is due after 1 April 2012, you better get your skates on and get the warning light (or other faults in the list below) fixed, otherwise you'll receive the dreaded red fail sheet. The AA has kindly published a summary of the new rules. If you think your car needs attention on any of the points below but still has a long MOT left, we recommend getting it seen to sooner rather than later. The main changes from 2012 Electronic parking brake Electronic parking brake controls are now included and must be present and not inappropriately repaired or modified - repair obviously likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle or modification that has seriously weakened the component. (The 'inappropriately repaired or modified' check is to be applied to a wide range of systems and components throughout the vehicle.) The car will fail if an Electronic Parking Brake warning lamp is illuminated to indicate a malfunction. Electronic Stability Control Checks of anti-lock brakes will be extended to include Electronic Stability Control if fitted. The tester will check for the presence and correct operation of the ESC malfunction warning light together with looking for obviously missing, excessively damaged or inappropriately repaired or modified components and electrical wiring, as well as an ESC switch missing, insecure or faulty. Warning lights As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted; Headlight main beam warning light Electronic power steering warning light Brake fluid level warning light Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light Airbag warning light Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light Steering & suspension The new test includes a check on the presence and correct function of the steering lock where fitted as standard. Missing, or split/damaged dust covers on steering and suspension ball-joints will result in failure if they will allow dirt to enter the joint. Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir. Lighting Products on the lens or light source that obviously reduce the light's intensity or change its colour will become a reason for failure – applies to front/rear position lamps, registration plate lamps, stop lamps, rear fog and direction indicators, Headlight requirements are updated to take account of the particular characteristics of High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps. HID headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high so car manufacturers must fit headlamp cleaning and levelling systems. A car will fail if a mandatory headlamp cleaning or levelling system is missing, doesn't work or is obviously defective. Vehicles fitted with aftermarket HID systems must also be fitted with properly working washer and levelling systems. If a headlamp bulb is not seated correctly the resulting beam pattern will be indistinct and this will result in a test fail. Electrical wiring and battery An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as will a battery that is leaking electrolyte. Visible wiring that is insecure, inadequately supported or likely to cause a short will also result in a failure as will wires bared by damaged insulation. Trailer/caravan electrical socket There will be a basic security/damage check of 7-pin sockets, 13-pin sockets will be subject to a full electrical connectivity check and incorrectly connected or inoperative circuits will result in failure. Tyres Tyre pressure monitoring systems fitted to vehicles first registered after 1 January 2012 must be working correctly and not indicating a malfunction. Supplementary restraints The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective. A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure. Seatbelt load limiters that are missing where fitted as standard or folding webbing type limiters that have obviously deployed are also reasons for failure. The vehicle will also fail if an SRS malfunction light is missing, not working or indicating a fault. Speedometer The car will fail if a speedometer is not fitted, is incomplete, inoperative, has a dial glass broken/missing or cannot be illuminated. Seats It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft. Doors A rear door that cannot be opened from the outside using the relevant control is a new reason for failure. Doors must be easy to open and close – hinges, catches and pillars will be inspected. Towbars Inappropriate repair or modification to the towbar assembly will be a reason for failure if judged likely to affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle/trailer. Exhaust A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure. Fuel system Damaged or chafed fuel pipes will result in failure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom187 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 "The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective. So if you have a non standard steering wheel it will need to have an airbag? "A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure. Seatbelt load limiters that are missing where fitted as standard or folding webbing type limiters that have obviously deployed are also reasons for failure." If you have aftermarket seats with harnesses, I dont believe they have tensioners? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daryl Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I would like to know how MOT guys are going to test the DCS/traction control system! Does this open the way to MOT operatives hooning around in your motor 'testing the T/C'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 A car will fail if a mandatory headlamp cleaning or levelling system is missing, doesn't work or is obviously defective. Hmm, that sounds to me like aftermarket bumpers will fail then Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 A car will fail if a mandatory headlamp cleaning or levelling system is missing, doesn't work or is obviously defective. Hmm, that sounds to me like aftermarket bumpers will fail then Pete Yup, that could effect a few on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 A car will fail if a mandatory headlamp cleaning or levelling system is missing, doesn't work or is obviously defective. Hmm, that sounds to me like aftermarket bumpers will fail then Pete Yup, that could effect a few on here I honestly thought it was already a fail or perhaps that is a myth... no doubt those that have them will claim thet can get round it a bit like having decats.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 It used to be mandatory for OEMs to fit the systems. So before if you had an aftermarket bumper, you could try to claim the HIDs were aftermarket and use that as a get out of not needing the washers. It was at least a grey area, now it seems rather black and white. I'm quite happy with the new rule TBH, it will get rid of the idiots that fit HIDs to non-HID designed housings with their crap cut offs that end up just blinding other road users Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidnightRacer Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I wonder how they are going to test my import with factory HID's then. It has self levelling but no washers. could be an interesting one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 It'll fail. Good spot there, although obviously not so good for the JDM owners! Another key point is that the driver's seat must move forward or backward, so no more fixed seats. Maybe not a huge issue for the likes of us, but what are Atom owners supposed to do? Or X-Bow owners? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 It used to be mandatory for OEMs to fit the systems. So before if you had an aftermarket bumper, you could try to claim the HIDs were aftermarket and use that as a get out of not needing the washers. It was at least a grey area, now it seems rather black and white. I'm quite happy with the new rule TBH, it will get rid of the idiots that fit HIDs to non-HID designed housings with their crap cut offs that end up just blinding other road users I totally and utterly agree, there is little worse than dazzling badly levelled HIDs :thumbsdown: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 It'll fail. Good spot there, although obviously not so good for the JDM owners! Another key point is that the driver's seat must move forward or backward, so no more fixed seats. Maybe not a huge issue for the likes of us, but what are Atom owners supposed to do? Or X-Bow owners? I'm guessing when cases like that come out then they'll revise the rules. I'd imagine it'll say if the seats are meant to be able to move (ie have rails) then they will have to move, but if they are fixed via bolts then that will be ok. Similarly I can only imagine with the HIDs they will have to say if import and OEM spec, then test to spec, meaning if there is no washer by default then you dont need to have one. That or the rules will only apply to new cars going forwards meaning to import a car without washers they'd have to be fitted as part of SVA? EDIT: Rereading the seat thing: Seats It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft. Surely they'd have to just look to see if the seat can be unbolted and fitted in different positions? Means if you fit your own fixed seats then the rails/frame will have to have a few holes to enable you to move it forwards and backwards. Or the fact it doesnt have a mechanism means that test is null and void? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 It used to be mandatory for OEMs to fit the systems. So before if you had an aftermarket bumper, you could try to claim the HIDs were aftermarket and use that as a get out of not needing the washers. It was at least a grey area, now it seems rather black and white. I'm quite happy with the new rule TBH, it will get rid of the idiots that fit HIDs to non-HID designed housings with their crap cut offs that end up just blinding other road users Thank goodness for that, drives me mad having to put up with cars going around with these HIDs blinding you in the other direction, to the point even the other night I almost had to stop as the car coming the other way completely blinded me and I couldnt see anything at all in front of me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iwantone Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Because a car was built to comply with a foreign market's requirements (JDM) does certainly NOT mean that it will be accepted "as is" for use on UK roads. A simple example is the Pajero. It has to be fitted with a high intensity rear light before it can be used over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daryl Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 So does this mean that anyone with say a Nismo V2 front bumper is going to have to put their original bumper back on for MOT's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 So does this mean that anyone with say a Nismo V2 front bumper is going to have to put their original bumper back on for MOT's? only if the washers weren't refitted when the new bumper went on. its not a difficult job, my bodyshop refitted the washers on my nismo bumper when i swapped over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Because a car was built to comply with a foreign market's requirements (JDM) does certainly NOT mean that it will be accepted "as is" for use on UK roads. A simple example is the Pajero. It has to be fitted with a high intensity rear light before it can be used over here. See this is where it will get difficult. If you modified the car during SVA at the time it was imported to meet the required regs for the time (most common change is fitting a fog light), I'm not sure how they can retrospectively then change the rules and now say all JDM 350z owners need to go out and find washer jets for the headlights. Sure they can apply it going forward so anyone now trying to bring a car in will have to comply, but not sure they will be able to make it stick to cars that are already in the country. JDMs will plumet in value as owners are faced with selling the car or fitting headlight washers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 "A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure" Assume Berks HFCs still do the job and will pass through the MoT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 They'll be fine, it's referring to a cat as a generic piece of equipment rather than a specific OEM one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Cheers Dan Looking at the above - very chuffed I kept my OEM bumper and restyled it than bought a Nismo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Looking at the above - very chuffed I kept my OEM bumper and restyled it than bought a Nismo! Pretty easy to fit the washers to an aftermarket bumper, you just need to cut the holes AFAIK. The harder bit is if JDM owners have to retrofit washers as they dont come as standard but use HID lights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodgeevans Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 So as a JDM owner am i going to have to fit headlight washers now these rule changes aren't exactly clear maybe time to email the dvla and get a definative answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 So as a JDM owner am i going to have to fit headlight washers now these rule changes aren't exactly clear maybe time to email the dvla and get a definative answer. +1 ...i might as well sell my car before the public realise... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodgeevans Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Also looks as if any sort of light tinting is now a fail front and rear if i am reading it correctly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Also looks as if any sort of light tinting is now a fail front and rear if i am reading it correctly if it reduces the light output then yes. but i thought that was already a fail on the MOT, the only thing i know of that is MOT legal is the Fly eyes kit as it isn't a tint but a mesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidnightRacer Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Its certainly going to get interesting but I cant imagine they will fail loads of imports for no washers on the headlights. its not just 350z's that will be affected that said, if it does get that mad you can easily t-piece your normal washer jets and point a hose at the lights for the MOT. bit daft but it would get round it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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