New MOT format

[reblack68]

Took the Volvo for its MOT today and was delighted to get a pass with no advisories but look at it...


MOT by RichardB5, on Flickr

If you car fails the failure points are listed in a box below the dates, and advisories are listed in the box on the right.

[myglaren]

I had mine MOTd a couple of weeks ago and they were still using the old form.

[reblack68]

I think it's just this week it's changed.

[citronut]

yep the new type started this monday just gone,

and test stations have got to use the brand of tonner that VOSA state for there printers,
otherwise when VOSA come to fix any printer faults thestation will be charge i think something like £109 quid an hour

regards malcolm

[Citroenmad]

That is a good idea, often when buying a car the MOT says a advisory notice has been issued but its rarely with the MOT certificate.

[RichardW]

Makes sense really - the MOT is now totally computer based, and the paper is just a repeat of the 'real' (well, electronic) thing. No point in expensive paper and printing paid for by HMG* when you can get the MOT stations to pay for it!

*Well us I suppose, but there is no doubt a factor of 5 multiplier over what it actually costs!

Ah, looking at the VOSA site I see there is a copy of the new 2012 regs: 2012 MOT

Most things talked about seem to be in it - HID lamps fail without self levelling / washers - so Xantias with winter pack are OK to convert then

[Dommo]

HID lamps fail without self levelling / washers - so Xantias with winter pack are OK to convert then

Funny you should mention that, I wanted to do this conversion one day and figured a winter pack Xantia would be my best bet

I'd do it properly by getting some projectors to fit in there, not what morons with old Corsa's do and just stick a HID bulb into a reflector/deflector housing, gawd they hurt the eyes!

[R9UKE]

So will they actually be testing the headlight washers??? EVERY top of the range Laguna II, Vel Satis and Avantime will be failing if this is the case!

[CitroJim]

They should but only strictly necessary if HIDs are fitted...

Also, they have to test the self-levelling ability of the car too... The handbook says where practical and be careful not to inflict damage on wings.

Now, just because the MOT says that washers and self-levellers are necessary where HID is fitted, they remain ILLEGAL unless the lamp enclosure itself is designed for HID bulbs.

Now, I see, a hydraulic Citroen could fail because of a flat accumulator and/or rear antisink sphere. The rules state that on a car so fitted there must be sufficient reserve of pressure for two further brake applications after the engine is switched off...

Finally, my observations suggest that the MOT tester should use an assistant unless using a special one-man MOT lane and that assistant can be the presenter (i.e. you) if the MOT tester considers you to be competent for the role...

That's good Roll on 2012...

The MOT guide is essential reading I believe...

[Chris570]

.

Now, I see, a hydraulic Citroën could fail because of a flat accumulator and/or rear antisink sphere. The rules state that on a car so fitted there must be sufficient reserve of pressure for two further brake applications after the engine is switched off...

I noticed that and what an excellent inclusion imo as a hydraulic citroen with flat acc and rear acc spheres are just a broken belt away from a crash

[citronut]

Now, I see, a hydraulic Citroën could fail because of a flat accumulator and/or rear antisink sphere. The rules state that on a car so fitted there must be sufficient reserve of pressure for two further brake applications after the engine is switched off...

a lot of MOT testers probably wouldnt know were/how to start,

Finally, my observations suggest that the MOT tester should use an assistant unless using a special one-man MOT lane and that assistant can be the presenter (i.e. you) if the MOT tester considers you to be competent for the role...

i think you will find the MOT station's public liabilaty insurance will not cover the general public sitting in the car, whilst being hoisted up and down on the car ramp/lift,


regards malcolm

[ACTIVE8]

Yes, it is only a record of what is stored electronically, but the paper that gets used (or they are required to use now) and comes out of the printer is very cheap and nasty, about as good as toilet paper, and could be prone to fading like receipt paper!

Well done VOSA we are now paying more for the test, and getting less!

[CitroJim]

It's printed on a laser printer with an approved toner so fading should not be a great problem. My last ones were printed on very thin paper though... But then it only has to last a year...

My favoured MOT garage has not put his charges up. The charge is still £35 as it has been for ages. He finds he gets a lot of business from repair work by initially charging a small MOT fee to entice the punters through the door and then offers repair work at a very competitive price. That's not to say he's out to fail a car, in fact he's very good but if you see the state of many cars presented he really doesn't have to try very hard...

What worries me is how easily the new form could be forged. I taxed Rattiva at the Post Office and as far as I could tell, the MOT certificate only got a glance. Maybe when the reg no. is entered into whatever they use when taxing cars it cross-checks MOT and insurance? I don't know but if it does then the MOT certificate you now get is perfectly adequate for its purpose as a receipt and nothing else.

Don't forget too that anyone can look up the MOT history of a vehicle on the web...

[ACTIVE8]

Apparently the approved toner is in the region of £190.00 plus VAT and they have to use it, or be done by VOSA!

I knew what to expect having seen the picture reblack68 posted, but the crappy paper quality could not be determined from that picture, so came as a surprise!

[DickieG]

What worries me is how easily the new form could be forged. I taxed Rattiva at the Post Office and as far as I could tell, the MOT certificate only got a glance. Maybe when the reg no. is entered into whatever they use when taxing cars it cross-checks MOT and insurance? I don't know but if it does then the MOT certificate you now get is perfectly adequate for its purpose as a receipt and nothing else.

Don't forget too that anyone can look up the MOT history of a vehicle on the web...

When you tax a car online the MOT is checked as part of the process so I'd be surprised if that didn't apply at a Post office. As far as forgery is concerned it was rife with the old paper system as loads of certificates were stolen either during delivery or when at the test station, at least with the computer system each certificate can be verified against the VOSA database as well as the previous history for the vehicle.