The MOT test and related matters.

Every vehicle in use on the UK roads must comply with the Construction & Use regulations and the Road Vehicle Lighting regulations. These regulations cover all aspects of construction (brakes, steering, lights etc) and their maintenance and also the use to which the vehicle is put. These requirements also apply to imported vehicles in use on UK roads. The Motor Vehicle Test regulations (MOT test) cover most but not all the Construction & Use and Lighting regulations.  Therefore it is perfectly possible for vehicles to satisfy the MOT test requirements but commit an offence under other regulations if used on the road e.g vehicles with no front or rear position lamps do not require any other lamps to be fitted (usually rally/competition vehicles) but if the vehicle were to be used during the hours of darkness it would obviously commit a "use" offence. Number plates do not have to be reflective or any particular colour for the purposes of the MOT but must comply with the Registration Plate regulations fully when used on the road. The MOT testers manual contains all the information needed by the tester to decide whether a test certificate can be issued and if not,the reasons why. Each page of the manual is divided into three columns, column 1 contains information such as relevant dates etc for the item being tested. Column 2 describes the way that particular item should be tested and column 3 lists reasons why that item should result in failure. The procedures in column 2 should identify any faults in that item under test but this does not necessarily mean the vehicle will fail. Having identified a fault the tester then looks in column 3 (reasons for rejection) to see if that fault is listed. If it is then the vehicle fails. If it isn't listed then the vehicle should pass but an advisory notice should be issued bringing that fault to the owners attention. The manual cannot possibly cover every fault and situations arise where there are additional procedures the tester should follow. For example, Health and Safety issues have to be considered as well as the liability of the garage for the vehicles well being (in just the same way if the vehicle was undergoing repair or servicing. If the tester feels the vehicle cannot be safely tested without causing damage to it or endangering operatives in the workshop then the test should not even be started. In such cases, the tester issues a VT30 failure certificate detailing the reasons why the test could not be conducted and no fee is charged. Note that this procedure has nothing to do with dangerous testable items that result in failure. An example would be a serious petrol leak, which is going to fail anyway and the test is being conduted over an inspection pit. It would be foolhardy to continue the test under such circumstances and the test should be declined. Aggrieved Members of the public should always ask "where does it say that in the Manual". Testers and the public tend to conclude that any defective item is going to fail the test without looking in "The Book". The MOT test is an annual check on the features of motor vehicles which are known to give rise to accidents and therefore concentrates on the primary safety such as brakes, steering etc. You can see the problems that can arise. Vehicle passes test, leaves testing station, stopped by Police and issued with Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice or Prohibition Notice, owner now at boiling point! The MOT test certificate (VT20) clearly states at the bottom left hand corner that it "is not evidence that the vehicle is in a satisfactory mechanical condition" e.g the gearbox, engine, clutch, air con, electric sunroof and stereo etc may well be knackered!  The tyres, brake linings etc may only just meet the standards when tested but a few miles later will become illegal. Any advisory information issued at the time of test will be particularly relevant therefore when you're considering buying vehicles! Some defects which are found during the test may not result in the vehicle failing and in these cases the tester will normally issue an advisory notice. This may take any form e.g defects may simply be recorded on the invoice or a specific document issued listing what else needs attention. You should be aware that although a vehicle can be driven to and from a testing station for the purposes of having its MOT by appointment, if defects are notified to you either on an advisory note or a VT30 failure certificate, on the way back you are now driving a vehicle knowing it to be defective. Should an accident occur as a result of those defects you could have a problem!