2011 VOSA changes to MOT

Marpol

Advanced Member
Messages
278
Dont know if anyone has seen this?

Interesting read about HID lights as our tegs dont have suspension level sensors, in car beam adjuster or headlight washers!


Still 13 months away until these new regulations come into force, but some interesting changes. From MOT from December 2011, the below changes will come into force, which will be very bad news for some.

HID lights – Specifically those aftermarket kits that give the very bright headlight beams. Any cars found with these kits will be an automatic MOT failure. Testers are able to easily spot the difference between HID kits, and manufacturer fitted Xenon‘s. Easy to spot as Xenon cars have suspension level sensors, in car beam adjuster, and usually headlight washers.

Chipped ECU‘s - Unsure of just how/if this one will realistically be enforced, but any cars with chipped ECU‘s will in theory be an MOT failure. I can only assume VOSA have found an easy way of checking ECU software through the cars OBD port (diagnostic plug).

Wiring harness – The general condition of he wiring harness will be checked to make sure there is no rubbing or chaffing, and that the harnesses are in generally good condition. If unsecure, or damaged again MOT failure.

Airbag warning lights - If any warning lights are illuminated, it will again be an MOT failure.
 

eXceed

Resident Driver
Messages
1,622
A lot of failures come next year, doesn't stop the problem though. Shitters will still be driving around with no MOT, insurance or tax... And we'll be the ones paying for it :?
 

Coldfuse

Milano!!! :-3
Messages
2,983
This hopefully won't apply to use as the car was not build within the EU and never needed to conform to the legislation.

I'm sure there will be some loophole somewhere that will void us as the DVLA let our cars into the country therefor they can't then say we can't use them [speculative]
 

rodney

Advanced Member
Messages
1,166
But the DC5 HID's arent aftermarket :idea: They're Honda OEM non?

Now our fault the badgers didn't fit level adjustment?

As said, surley we're exempt :?
 

mikegsi

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
6,095
kingston said:
i wouldnt worry too much well not until somethign official comes through :wink:

:xyes:

Wouldn't worry about it. Don't mention that they're hids and just see what happens.

If worst comes to it you can get non hid headlights and put them in for Mot day.

I'm sure some importers would lend/rent you theirs
 

kimi

Advanced Member
Messages
196
abz123 said:
good job im a mot tester then lol
Hello :D
I'm in Wolverhampton too :-"


The ECU part worries me more as our s15 is not at all standard :wink:
 

C&S Evo7

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
8,229
George K said:
Facelidft cars have a levelling system - on top arm of o/s rear suspension.

I always thought it was for the abs?? didnt think there were motors in the headlights.


i wouldnt worry about the ecu thing, their kit isnt clever enough for that, if you khave kpro just disable the obd functions, they are only going to be able to fail you if it doesnt meet emissions, what happens to all those cars with notecs etc,

what they want to stop is the black smoke that diesels produce once chipped surely.
 

VT-Doo

RushDoo
Messages
1,302
Where was the above quoted from as it does not look official and there I suspect is all bull :lol:
 

LeeH

Advanced Member
Messages
3,079
FYI.


There has been lots of talk regarding the new items that are going to be included in the annual MOT test from the 01st January 2012.

We have put together this document to put at rest the forum talk over “illegal” ECU chipping.

The EU have put into place a new directive, number 2010/48/EU which is a revised directive of 2009/40/EU. This will come into force as of the 01st January 2012. The items to be included in the annual MOT from this directive are as follows:

Airbag warning lights
MIL lights
Seat belt pre-tensioners
Battery security
Wiring looms
Headlamp bulb and unit incompatibility
Illegal engine 'chipping'
New diesel emission limits for vehicles registered on or after the 01st July 2008

The main subject that has had major discussion is the illegal engine chipping which we will try and explain what the UK might adopt in the process of the inspection during the MOT.

There are some tuning companies that supply tuning boxes that work as a 'piggy' back to the ECU or connected somewhere in the fuel system. These types of tuning boxes will be easy to pick up on the MOT by a Nominated Tester (NT) and will be failed under the new rules.

The other tuning companies that use the OBD to access the ECU to carry out a remap, will be ok when it comes to the MOT as there are no signs of modifications. The only time that this type of tuning will become a problem is if the software that is used is poorly written and clearly has no respect for emissions levels or smoke levels on diesels and will fail the basic emissions tests.

A visual check should be the method of inspection that may be introduced by the Department for Transport (DfT), and the same rule that applies now with regards to 'no dismantling' will still be there. There is however a huge flaw in this, if a car has had a damaged ECU and this has been replaced with obvious signs then this would be classed as a fail. If the ECU is tuned and replaced in the car correctly with all the correct anti tamper bolts this is a pass.

The DfT are also unlikely to introduce any new tool to the MOT to check ECU's via the OBD. Such a tool will be very costly and if brought in will mean an increase in the MOT fee which is currently at £54.85 for class 4 (other fees are different dependant on test class). We would estimate that the test fee would need to go up by 50 - 100% in order to cover costs of the tool and the extra time taken for the test, the logistics of this would also be prohibitive meaning every manufacturer would need to submit their entire database of standard files accessible to a system the DfT would have to develop to check this and service 19000+ outlets. For all these reasons, OBD tuning will not be checked.

Vehicles are built to a type approval standard and when chipped some EU States believe this defeats the object of the approval in regards to emissions. At present the emissions test is only carried out with no load on the engine. The DfT may bring in something to the MOT test to check emissions under load but again this is very unlikely due to the time needed and the NT having to take the vehicle out on a road test.

So in summary.....

Any vehicle that has a remap/chip will and can be failed under new proposals. As long as you have a OBD, chip, direct bench flash remap and no tampering is obvious to the ECU as well as the vehicle passing its emissions test, you will be fine and your beloved vehicle will pass year after year.

If you have bought a plug in tuning box you will find it hard to get an MOT pass as the NT will see it and then fail the vehicle.

So now may be the time to think about who you use for your tuning.

We hope you find this document of some use and hope that now some forums will stop panicking and scaremongering.

Written by GHE Tuning and John Robins @ DNA Tuning
 
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