Changes to MOT

[Jocko]

Please note that since January 2021, the MOT Inspection manual has been updated to include LED bulbs.

Section 4.1.4 now states the following:

“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”

https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/blog/are-led-headlights-legal-in-the-uk/

[ColinS]

There's going to be a lot of people putting their old bulbs back in just for the MOT.

[guest4871]

There's going to be a lot of people putting their old bulbs back in just for the MOT.

Can't imagine who   

[Kremmen]

They should also include blacked out front side windows and 'show' number plates.

Not to mention very loud exhausts.

[Jocko]

They should also include blacked out front side windows and 'show' number plates.

Not to mention very loud exhausts.

Number plates are included in the MOT. Whether the examiner fails them is his decision. Tints which are darker than permitted and loud exhausts can only be determined by measurement. Until the MOT requires garages to have suitable measuring equipment, I suppose there is not much the examiner can do about them.

[ColinB]

Tints which are darker than permitted ... can only be determined by measurement. Until the MOT requires garages to have suitable measuring equipment, I suppose there is not much the examiner can do about them.

Measuring this isn't particularly difficult. I recall watching one of the TV real-life cop shows when a traffic officer stopped a car with dark tints. He produced a light meter, declared the tints to be illegal, and required the driver to remove the films by hand before he was allowed to drive on.

The only policy about this I can find quickly is from VOSA a few years ago:
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/repository/Tinted%20Windows.pdf
The excuse for not including it in the MOT (that it would be too expensive to equip all MOT centres with specialist measuring kit) seems pretty weak if the police can do it at the roadside.

[Westy36]

We shouldn't just be relying on MOT stations with regard to vehicle condition. There was a day when we had a fleet of traffic officers that were pulling over dodgy cars. That is what we need reinstating.

[Kremmen]

I agree.

The number of vehicles round me with tinted front windows, illegally spaced number plate letters, fog lights 24x7, you name it ..................

[Westy36]

I agree.

The number of vehicles round me with tinted front windows, illegally spaced number plate letters, fog lights 24x7, you name it ..................

Oh I agree. The list just goes on and on.  People know they will never get pulled over by a road traffice officer.

Over the last year, we have had an increasing number of 125cc bikes with ludicrous exhausts in the town. The bikes are being fitted with cheapy big bore end cans with the baffles removed. As we have no Police presence on the roads, the band of 15/20 lads are getting away with it. Not only are the cans illegal, but they will not be disclosed to their insurers, so they're uninsured too!  Mind you, quite why the parents are unable to control there teens is another matter. My Dad would have torn me a new one if I rode about on a bike in that condition! 

[Kremmen]

Being controversial, that's often the problem these days, there is no dad at home.

[guest9236]

Being controversial, that's often the problem these days, there is no dad at home.

And even if there is  He or she might not be aware of the technicalities etc, the mind boggles,

[Westy36]

Being controversial, that's often the problem these days, there is no dad at home.

There has to be something in that. The nuclear family that stays together is not always the norm. My lad, 16, tells me most of the kids in his class have parents that have divorced or seperarated.

Mrs Westy and me are bucking the trend, 25yrs together later this year!  Rare these days.

 

[guest9236]

There's going to be a lot of people putting their old bulbs back in just for the MOT.

And then putting the LEDs back IN, must be very annoying for the Anti LED brigade.!!!!! I expect sooner or later they may see the Light.

[Jocko]

I managed 35 years before separating and divorcing!

***** Controversy warning. *****

One thing I have found over many years is that the average man in the street is not the sharpest tool in the box. The average IQ for the UK is 100 (Normal is 90 - 109), so with all the clever people in the country, there must be many with low IQs to pull the average down so far. May I say, many of those have the loud exhausts, black windows, and blue headlights or certainly have sired those that do.

[guest9236]

Being controversial, that's often the problem these days, there is no dad at home.

There has to be something in that. The nuclear family that stays together is not always the norm. My lad, 16, tells me most of the kids in his class have parents that have divorced or seperarated.

Mrs Westy and me are bucking the trend, 25yrs together later this year!  Rare these days.

We have been "MARRIED" 63 years  and still together, would not change anything. So far ??