As of the 20th of May some major changes to the MOT test regarding the way faults and problems are classified will be coming in to affect. All faults on a vehicle will be recorded as minor, Major or Dangerous from this date and it will affect all Class 3,4,5 & 7 vehicles.
Why the change
The change is happening to bring the UK’s MOT testing in line with the new European Union Roadworthiness Package and will maintain the same terminology for categorising faults. Driving a vehicle that is in a ‘dangerous condition’ is still against he law but more importantly the act states “a person is guilty of an offence if he uses, or causes or permits another to use, a motor vehicle or trailer on a road when… the condition of the motor vehicle or trailer, or of its accessories or equipment… is such that the use of the motor vehicle or trailer involves a danger of injury to any person”
How does it affect drivers?
If your vehicle fails on anything before the 20th it will still be fail afterwards, the main change is that a something that has failed will now be classified as either major or dangerous. The fault should be fixed straight away in both cases to gain a new MOT certificate, the difference between them being if it is classified as dangerous you will be unable to drive the vehicle at all until the fault has been rectified.
Extra changes if you own a diesel
On top of the fault classification change, the MOT test is to become stricter on emission tests for diesel vehicles. The limit will be getting lowered and any vehicle fitted with a particulate filter will be inspected more closely and if any smoke of any kind is emitted then the vehicle will instantly be issued with a Major fault, resulting in an MOT fail.