New MOT rules have put older diesels under pressure

New MOT changes brought in during May has led to an increase in MOT test failure rates.

Data taken over the past three months has seen a 12% increase in failure rates for petrol cars yet incredibly there has been a 24% increase on diesel failures.

A study taken from 50 MOT test centres across the UK highlights the impact the new changes have had on diesel motorists.

The research, undertaken by us here at prestigemotorwarehouse.co.uk has shown emissions are the biggest worry now for those driving a diesel.

The new MOT tests came into effect in England, Scotland and Wales on Sunday 20 May 2018.

There are stricter limits for emissions from diesel cars with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). A DPF captures and stores exhaust soot to reduce emissions from diesel cars.

During an MOT test, your car will get a major fault if the MOT tester can see smoke of any colour coming from the exhaust or finds evidence that the DPF has been tampered with.

This has seen big changes to the failure rates over the past 3 months.

MOT fails

Dangerous – Your vehicle fails if it has a dangerous fault. The vehicle cannot be driven until the fault has been repaired.
Major – Your vehicle fails if it has a major fault. The repair needs to be made as soon as possible. You can drive your vehicle with a major fault if your old MOT is still valid, but a major fault is registered on the database and you will knowingly be driving with this – putting yourself at risk of a fine of £2,500, be banned from driving and get three penalty points.

MOT passes

Pass – Your vehicle passes and meets the legal standard.
Advisory – Your vehicle passes but there is an issue that you’ll need to keep an eye on, and repair if it gets worse.
Minor – Your vehicles passes, but has an issue that needs to be corrected as soon as possible. If you don’t get it fixed it could get much worse.

You can have your MOT carried out up to a month before your old MOT is due to run out, and the anniversary date will still be one year after the old certificate date – effectively meaning the MOT certificate will last for 13 months.
You can drive your vehicle to a test station for an MOT test booked in advance, although you would have needed to have any faults repaired so that it is roadworthy.