The Evolution Of The MOT Tests

Cars have a significant amount of importance in our lives. Just imagine, how difficult it was for stone-age people to travel from one place to the other. These wonderful companion came into the life of the modern man back in the 1880s. It was a very long journey to go from a combustion engine car in 1880 to the wonderful mechanical beasts we have now.

Back in the 1960s, our government was really worried about the threat posed by cars to the environment. This leads them to introduce the first-ever Ministery of transport test.

History Of The Mot Test

• The MOT testing came into the system under the guidance of Ernest Marples, who was the then minister of transport. You will be surprised to know that originally the MOT test was created for testing brakes, lights and steering in every ten years.

• Moreover, the ministry of transport only charged a mere fourteen shillings to the people who came for an MOT inspection.

• It was on 31st December 1961 that the testing criteria for vehicles were changed to seven years due to rapidly increasing car failures in the inspection.

• Finally, the testing criteria was further reduced to three years on January 1, 1983.

The MOT system evolved over time by increasing the testing areas on vehicles as follows:

• MOT testing was quite constant till 1968 with just a tyre, lights and steering check.
• After about eleven years, the MOT testing was further expanded to windscreen wipers, indicators, chassis, horns and the exhaust system.

• Further, in the ’90s the ministery of transport made it mandatory for cars to go through checking on ABS and rear seatbelts as well.

• Did you know that diesel engine vehicle came in the MOT testing range in 1994? Before that period MOT only had strict guidelines for Petrol operated cars.

Now that you have an idea about the evolution of MOT tests, let us have a good look at the classes of vehicle tested under the MOT inspection.

• The CLASS 1 Of vehicles belongs to the two-wheeler segment. MOT tests bike up to the limit of 200cc.
• In case you have a motorbike which exceeds the 200cc limit, then it belongs to the class II of vehicles tested under MOT Heckington
• Ministry of transport also inspects the three-wheeler segment with an unladen weight limit of 450kgs.
• Now comes the most common MOT testing, which we all go through every year. Your premier hatchbacks, compact cars, taxis and minibuses fall into the class IV category of The MOT testing
• Class V of the MOT testing inspects all the private passenger cars and dual purpose vehicles with more than 13 seats for the passengers.

In case your annual MOT certificate is due then make sure to visit us at Roberts tyres. Our team of highly qualified experts will not make you leave until your maximum satisfaction is guaranteed.

MOT - Here’s Everything You Need to Know about the New Changes after 2018

MOT is no more the same as it was a few years back. As it is mandatory to take your vehicle through this test annually, you must be well aware of all the new changes brought last year.

Yes, new rules were introduced by the government regarding the MOT test in June 2018. So, you need to meet new requirements of MOT in Sleaford to pass it, and that would ensure your vehicle’s road safety, roadworthiness and the emissions.

New rules for MOT

1. Remodelled categories of defect

A defect, if found in an MOT test in Sleaford, will now be assigned to one of the five categories mentioned below -

1. Pass:

If a component or part meets the minimum legal requirements for the standard of road safety, it is graded as a PASS. However, your vehicle can only get this highest grade only if all its parts are within the parameters prescribed by DVSA.

2. Advisory:

An advisory category doesn’t bring along an immediate threat. However, it may become a significant issue in future, and you will be asked to monitor it and take for repair immediately, if needed. It is still a ‘pass’ though.

3. Minor:

A minor issue doesn’t attract immediate threat to the safety of vehicle or environment but needs instant car repair in Sleaford. It is considered a pass grade; although being the lowest pass grade possible.

4. Major:

A defect categorised as ‘major’ implies that it is a threat to vehicle safety as well as to those riding along on the road. It also bears environmental consequences. The category is graded as a ‘Fail’, and you need to fix it ASAP to take your vehicle back on the road.

5. Dangerous:

An MOT in Sleaford with a ‘dangerous’ defect means your car is either entirely unsafe to drive on the road or has a severe environmental impact. It is a failure grade and your vehicle should be repaired at the spot.

2. New diesel emission rules

Cars with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) come under new MOT rules laid down for diesel emission. If there is a DPF tampering or the exhaust pipe emits a coloured, visible smoke, your vehicle gets a ‘Fail’. To avoid this, take your diesel vehicle for car service in Sleaford.

3. New check inclusions for various components

As per the new rules for MOT Sleaford, a few new components have been added to the list for inspection.

• Examination of brake fluid’s contamination
• Check for underinflated tyres
• Assessment and analysis for whether there’s a fluid leakage that is hazardous for the environment
• In case of brake pad warning lights, a check to see whether the brake pad or brake disk is missing
• A test for reversing lights and headlight washers if their first use has been after 1^st September 2009.

So, prepare your vehicle beforehand for the test. If any repair or restoration is required, reach out to expert garages like Roberts Tyres.

So, gear up before going for the MOT!

Choose Car Tyres After Going Through EU Ratings for the Best Pick

Reliability is essential in all aspects of an automobile. Tyres, being one of the most vital vehicle parts, must be able to deliver reliable performance.

One of the ways to verify whether a particular model of car tyres in Sleaford is the right choice is to read its EU label. A tyre's EU rating contains information that can tell you about its performance characteristics.

How does the EU rating help to decide which tyre to buy?

The EU rating provides consumers with a standard of comparison to see how they stack up against others. It rates tyres on the significant performance parameters, which are –

• Wet grip
• Fuel efficiency
• Noise emission

The rating for fuel emission and wet grip ranges from A to G, where 'A' signifies the best, and 'G' denotes the worst. Noise emission is measured in decibels.

Fuel efficiency

It's a well-known fact in the automobile industry that tyres account for almost 20% of the entire fuel consumption by a vehicle. Therefore, when the objective is to make your vehicle more fuel efficient, driving with tyres in Sleaford that reduce fuel consumption is logical.

A tyre's rolling resistance determines how fuel efficient it will be. The EU rating on fuel efficiency communicates how low a tyre's rolling resistance is. An 'A' rated tyre results in 7.5% lesser fuel usage than a 'G' rated one. It means that with an 'A' grade tyre you require roughly 6 litres of less fuel to travel 600 miles.

Wet grip

A tyre's ability to roll without slipping on the road is related to its wet grip. A tyre with high wet grip will retain its traction on a slippery surface. Wet grip is an essential factor because any loss in grip causes your car to lose control temporarily, which can be dangerous at times.

The EU label rates a car tyre's wet grip based on its stopping distance. Car tyres in Sleaford with an EU rating of 'A' in wet grip have 18 meters lower stopping distance compared to a 'G' rated tyre when decelerating from 50mph.

Noise emission

Low noise generation from tyres is a desirable characteristic. Not only does it makes driving comfortable, but also lowers noise pollution. A continuous noise generation at the 80-decibel level can cause health hazards. So, going for tyres in Sleaford with low levels of noise generation can be better for a motorist in terms of health as well.

You can gauge a tyre's noise by the number of sound waves on its EU label. A speaker symbol followed by the number of sound waves denotes a tyre's noise level. A single black arc means low noise generation levels. 2 black waves indicate a moderate level of noise emission, while three black waves denote a noise level above the permissible limit. So, go for car tyres in Sleaford with low noise levels for comfortable driving.

Roberts Tyres stocks tyres from various global brands with above-average EU tyre rating. Their collection boasts of some of the most prominent names in the tyre industry such as Goodyear, Pirelli and Michelin. Purchase a set that meets your expectations and budget.

How to Make Your Car Roadworthy: Unpacked and Explained

Keeping your car in roadworthy condition is crucial for all vehicle owners in the UK. It is imperative that every vehicle must pass the annual MOT test. Maintaining roadworthiness is essential not just for your safety, but also for your car's resale value.

In the UK, almost 35% of motorists own a vehicle for 5 to 7 years. Hence, it is vital their vehicles stay in optimum condition before they decide to sell it off. Furthermore, if you clear off your vehicle defects or re-register a used car, you need to obtain an MOT certificate.

Now, if you’re wondering how to obtain a roadworthy certificate, here’s a detailed explanation of what you can expect –

Getting a certificate

To receive a roadworthy certificate, you need to get your car inspected from a licensed vehicle tester like Roberts Tyres. Apart from operating MOT in Billinghay and Heckington, they also offer car diagnostics other than specialising in brake repairs and replacements as well.

Coming back to roadworthiness, if your vehicle passes the test with major or minor defects, you'd have to turn up for post-MOT repairs from that garage itself or your choice of garage depending on the type of defects.

However, if your car is classified as "dangerous", you'd fail this test. You'll be handed a rejection certificate and 7 days to replace your vehicle. Failure of which, you'll be forced to re-appear for an MOT once again.

So, what does this inspection entail?

An MOT check in Billinghay or anywhere else in the UK is conducted on your vehicle to ensure it’s in proper working condition and meets all the legal standards to ply on roads. The components inspected include –

• Wheels and tyres
• Windscreen and wipers
• Steering, suspension and braking
• The structural integrity of your car
• Items related to the safety of engine, chassis and body
• Seatbelts and airbags
• Vehicle’s registration plate

Therefore, it is advised to go for a complete car diagnostics from a local licensed garage before you turn up for an MOT check in Heckington.

What are the most common issues picked up in an MOT test?

1. Vehicle fluids

Leakage from coolants, engine oil or brake systems could disqualify you from the test and cause severe harm to your engine as well.

2. Tyres

Faulty tyres constitute the most common MOT failure. Damaged and worn-out tyres must be replaced before an MOT in Heckington or Billinghay. You must also check for proper tyre inflation, adequate tread depth (at least 1.6 mm) and signs of wear. Also, try to notice uneven tyre wear, a tell-tale symptom of misaligned wheels.

This brings us to be the second most common issue…

3. Wheels

Before you attend a roadworthy test, go for wheel diagnostics at any reputable workshop. Ask your technician to conduct wheel alignment and wheel balancing tests.

4. Windscreen wipers

Almost 10% of motorists failed this test in 2018. Visibility test is crucial as in monsoon months; faulty wipers could lead to an accident in the blink of an eye. Moreover, check if your windscreen shows signs of scratches or chipping. Fix it if found one.

5. Brakes

Yes! Brakes are important, and unfortunately, they're often ignored. A faulty brake will not only disqualify you from this roadworthy test but is a significant safety hazard too. For fixing your vehicle’s brakes in Thorpe Latimer, make sure you refer to professional assistance.

This is all that you need to know before you show up for an MOT next time. Following these guidelines will ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and it will open up new possibilities as well.