Amendments to MOTs

Date: Thursday 14 January 2021

---

The following changes have been made to MOTs. In particular, the MOT centre and tester guidance has been updated to make it clear that MOT centres can stay open in all areas of Great Britain, including durimg the national lockdown in England, the temporary lockdown in Scotland and all of Wales in alert level 4 (lockdown). These changes do not apply to Northern Ireland which is governed by a separate body.

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles
Page summary:
Inspection processes and rules for car, private bus and light commercial vehicle (class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicle) MOT tests.
Change made:
Appendix C: Seat belt fitment tables – Appendix C: New section added – How to use the look up tablesAppendix C: Seat belt fitment tables – Heading changed from ‘All motor vehicles’ to ‘Look up tables’Appendix C: Seat belt fitment tables – Look up tables – Added sentence under table 1 ‘A specified front passenger seat is the seat which is foremost in the vehicle and furthest from the driver’s seat.’

MOT inspection manual: motorcycles
Page summary:
Inspection processes and rules for motorcycle, scooter, moped and motorcycle combination (class 1 and 2 vehicle) MOT tests.
Change made:
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment – 4.1.4 Headlamps – Compliance with requirements – Sentence changed from ‘Some motorcycles may be fitted with high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps. Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with HID bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.’ to ‘Some motorcycles may be fitted with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) headlamps. Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with HID or LED bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.‘4.2.1 Front and rear position lamps – Presence, condition and operation – Deleted sentences ‘A motorcycle combination must have 2 front and 2 rear position lamps.’ ‘A motorcycle with a headlamp does not need to have a front position lamp.’ ‘A sidecar must have a front position lamp.‘4.2.1 Front and rear position lamps – Presence, condition and operation – Added sentence ‘A motorcycle (with or without a sidecar) fitted with a headlamp need not have a front position lamp. However, one must be fitted to the sidecar if a sidecar is fitted.‘4.2.1 Front and rear position lamps – Presence, condition and operation – Added sentence ‘A motorcycle (with or without a sidecar) must have a rear position lamp. If a sidecar is fitted then the sidecar must be fitted with a rear position lamp.‘4.2.1 Front and rear position lamps – Presence, condition and operation – Sentence changed from ‘A headlamp or a daytime running lamp (DRL) can function as a front position lamp. The DRL may or may not switch off or dim when the headlamp(s) are switched on and the engine is running.’ to ‘A daytime running lamp (DRL) can function as a front position lamp. The DRL may or may not switch off or dim when the headlamps are switched on and the engine is running.‘4.2.2 Front and rear position lamps – Switching – Deleted sentence ‘A headlamp or a daytime running lamp can function as a front position lamp.‘4.3.1 Stop lamps – Presence, condition and operation – Sentence changed from ‘have had stop lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked’ to ‘have had front and rear position lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked‘4.3.2 Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment – Stop lamps – Switching – Applicable from 1 February 2021 – Defect (a) (iii) wording changed from ‘remain on when the brakes are released’ to ‘does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released’

MOT testing guide for test stations
Page summary:
How the MOT scheme is administered, the rules for authorised examiners and testers, and the facilities and equipment you need.
Change made:
Updated to latest version of the guide. See change table in guide for full details on what’s changed.

Coronavirus: MOT centre and tester guidance
Page summary:
Guidance for MOT managers and testers on providing MOT tests during coronavirus (COVID-19), including staying open and working safely.
Change made:
Updated to make it clear that MOT centres can stay open in all areas of Great Britain, including during the national lockdown in England, the temporary lockdown in Scotland, and all of Wales in alert level 4 (lockdown).

 

---