Changes to annual vehicle testing take effect on 1 January 2012 06 December 2011

New European requirements on roadworthiness testing will mean changes to the content of annual vehicle tests, starting in January 2012.

VOSA (the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) says it's all about reflecting advances in technology, and states that the changes will apply to cars, vans, heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches.

Changes include additional checks for some of the vehicle systems already examined – such as brakes, steering suspension and lighting. But there will also be new safety checks on the increasing number of on-board electrical safety systems, including electronic stability control.

VOSA chief esecutive Alastair Peoples makes the point that the latter tests will not fail vehi8cles in Britain until later in 2012. The aim, according to the agency, is to give vehicle testers and owners time to prepare for the new test items.

"The MoT test is designed to make sure that a vehicle is fit to be on the road and so it needs to be updated to reflect new vehicle technology," explains Peoples.

"We have worked with the industry to prepare for these changes to make sure that the measures are introduced in the least burdensome way possible," he adds.

In summary, new checks will cover items including: anti-lock braking systems, electronic stability control systems, tyre pressure monitoring systems, supplementary restraint systems (including airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners), electronic power steering systems and electronic parking brakes.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)

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