New Mot Rules From The Eu

[jjj_aygo]

Just read the Balance Motorsport blog and their latest post is about the new EU laws on MOT's, spelling the end of modified cars.

I don't know about anyone else but I think we have paid through the nose and suffered enough from the policy-makers in the EU and if this goes ahead, it could be the end of the UK modifying scene altogether!

Defiantly worth a read here: http://www.balancemotorsport.co.uk/main.asp?sitepages=blog

Any thoughts?

[ormi]

its not to prevent modifing cars its to prevent badly modified cars ie in germany all mods need to be aproved and carry a type number..

[Jan&tone]

Just read the Balance Motorsport blog and their latest post is about the new EU laws on MOT's, spelling the end of modified cars.

I don't know about anyone else but I think we have paid through the nose and suffered enough from the policy-makers in the EU and if this goes ahead, it could be the end of the UK modifying scene altogether!

Defiantly worth a read here: http://www.balancemotorsport.co.uk/main.asp?sitepages=blog

Any thoughts?

Putting it quite simply, IF, and it's a big if, we ever get to have a referendum on our continued membership of the most expensive, useless club in the world, you now know how you should vote!

Simples

[sembei]

I am talking from Spain. Here, we have a very restrictive law about modifications, and it seems that you guys are going the same.

We can't make ANY modifications to our cars, even change the gearknob (really) without papers (homologations from car and accesories manufacturer, sign of a technical engineer and inspection from ITV, the spanish MOT), and of course, pay to all of them.

Until beggining of this year, the only modifications that needed all this paperwork were all those that affected the security of the car. They are listed and basically were those related to suspension, engine, wheel sizes and things like that. Any other mods where accepted or not at ITV stations, but need no more work. But now, all mods must be homologated. If you read the law literally, even radio head unit change needs homologation. Its crazy. But in practice, you can change radio, install free hands phone without it.

Welcome to EU

[Jan&tone]

I am talking from Spain. Here, we have a very restrictive law about modifications, and it seems that you guys are going the same.

We can't make ANY modifications ............ radio, install free hands phone without it.

Welcome to EU

It's how to get out of the EU that we want to know!!! We managed to stay out of the Euro thank goodness, but personally I want out of the EU altogether!! at the very least those unelected beaurocrats in Brussels need their wings clipped considerably!

[daveyjp]

at the very least those unelected beaurocrats in Brussels need their wings clipped considerably!

'Unelected'? Have you never heard of European MEP elections?

[Jan&tone]

at the very least those unelected beaurocrats in Brussels need their wings clipped considerably!

'Unelected'? Have you never heard of European MEP elections?

sure have - more gravytrain yobbo's

BUT... the ECHR judges are NOT elected and it is in many cases them that are calling the shots... the mep's are just there for the expenses! They are unnecessary, uncalled for, irrelevant and we do not want the expense!

[liam6200]

any1 heard of a back hander mot lol!

[Red Yaris 54]

any1 heard of a back hander mot lol!

Illegal MOT's should not even be contemplated as a way around the proposed regulations!

[Uncle Bob]

Some info i've found from another site regarding the new 2012 mot regulations hope this helps...

Know Your Legislation

I am creating this post not for scaremongering, but to educate on current and proposed legislation with regards to modified vehicles. Most of this legislation has been in place for years, but many people either have never heard of it or have no understanding of it. Recently the organisations involved in policing these regulations have begun to enforce them more thoroughly.

Forthcoming MOT regulations

First the good news. After consultation with a number of agencies and organisations the proposed changes to the MOT system to be implemented in January 2012 have been amended. Therefore:

• There will NOT be a total ban on the use/sale of aftermarket HID kits, which was a major part of the proposal. The current MOT rules state

High Intensity Discharge (HID) and LED dipped beam headlamps (whether original fitment or after-market) must be fitted with a headlamp washing system (a wiper is not required) and be self levelling. This may be achieved by the use of either headlamp or suspension levelling systems. However, some high performance vehicles fitted with HID headlamps that have limited luggage space and stiff suspension do not require a self-levelling system.

Reason for failure: A mandatory headlamp levelling or cleaning device missing, inoperative or otherwise obviously defective

• There will not be a ban on “illegal” engine tuning. Frankly there was no way a visual inspection could identify an aftermarket chip or re-map anyway, and this proposal was met with universal contempt by MOT testers. The only reference in the new manual to this is that modified cars must meet the correct emissions level for the year of engine.

Changes to the MOT that could affect lowered cars

These are the changes that have been implemented.

• Check that there is enough clearance of the axle or suspension with the bump stop or chassis

• Check that there is sufficient clearance from body to wheels

Reason for failure:

Inadequate Clearance of the axle or suspension with the bump stop or chassis.

Inadequate clearance between body and wheels.

Deliberate modification which significantly reduces the original strength, excessive corrosion, severe distortion, a fracture or an inadequate repair of a load bearing member or its supporting structure or supporting panelling within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or a suspension component mounting, that is, within a ‘prescribed area

The key word in the first definitions is ‘inadequate’. This leaves it to the discretion of the MOT tester on what classes as inadequate. It’s not a massive problem, as I’d imagine most lowered car owners will have a friendly MOT tester that they use anyway. If not it might be time to find one. The 2nd part is interesting, for instance a chassis C notch could be seen as reducing the strength of the supporting structure for the front subframe.

That’s about all we can find that affects modified cars in the new manual, so much better than first thought.

Vehicle Registration Laws

There are 2 different organisations involved in this process.

The DVLA maintain the database that contains all the drivers and all the vehicles in the UK.

VOSA regulate the MOT test and perform roadside checks to improve road safety.

The “8 points” Registration System

To put this system into context, people must understand that you never own the registration document for a vehicle. It is purely on loan and they can remove the right to registration if a problem arises.

The “8 points” system is how they determine whether a car should retain its original registration. First they assign each major part of the car a set point score like this.

• chassis or body Shell (body and chassis as one unit - monocoque ie direct replacement from the manufacturer) (original or new) = 5 points

• suspension = 2 points

• axles = 2 points

• transmission = 2 points

• steering assembly = 2 points

• engine = 1 point

To retain it’s original registration, the vehicle must score 8 or more points from this list. However this must always include the 5 points for the original UNMODIFIED monocoque shell/chassis. This doesn’t sound too bad, but say for a Mk2 Golf with a VR6 or 1.8T conversion, aftermarket suspension and a disk brake axle on the rear you’d have 7 points. The problem with this system is that if/when you take your car to be DVLA inspected it is down to the tester’s discretion on whether he allocates the points or not. The DVLA actually define each part as "the original part that the vehicle left the factory with". Obviously this is impossible to implement, as all the parts listed have at least a fair chance of being replaced throughout the life of a vehicle, not for modification but for warranty claims and servicing. For instance it's fair to say that if you go to a test with performance suspension parts fitted rather than OEM standard replacements you will lose those points.

What constitutes an Unmodified Monocoque?

Firstly it’s probably best to explain what a monocoque Shell constitutes. From the DVLA definition:

“What constitutes a monocoque is that of how an OEM manufacturer would view it. The chassis or `cage` assembly and all components that form it, less any cosmetic panels or infills that make no structural consideration to the monocoque or its component parts.”

That bit basically.

What this means

Your car WON’T need an IVA if you:

• Roll/Flare the wheel arches

• Fit different cosmetic panels (i.e. front end conversion, US/JDM body panels)

• Fit a roll cage (aslong as the existing Shell isn’t cut to fit it – holes through bulkhead to fit bracing bars to strut tops a no-no for instance)

• Fit/remove a sunroof aslong as you don’t chop any strengthening members.

• Convert a car to a van – as you are adding to the existing structure.

Your car WILL need an IVA if you:

•C notch the chassis legs for driveshaft clearance

•Raise the strut tops

•Modify the floor or bulkhead

•Chop the roof off/convert to a pickup

•Cut the outer arch lip for tyre clearance/to fit a wide arch kit, as this is classed as a structural area

•Modify any part of the monocoque

From reading the DVLA rules as long as you don’t add to the width or length of the vehicle it is fine to add strength to the monocoque. Therefore if you weld plate over the existing chassis legs and fill the holes in the bulkhead to smooth an engine bay you should be fine. However if you cut the bulkhead out and weld in a complete flat sheet section, or chop the chassis legs out and refabricate in box section you will be liable to IVA the vehicle.

How is this enforced?

These seem to be the main ways that people are caught in contravention of the rules:

• Changing body type on V5 – If you send off the V5 with the body type changed it will automatically flag up the car for an inspection.

• VOSA/Police Spot Check – If you are pulled into a VOSA/Police checkpoint they can pass information onto the DVLA if the vehicle is not what it says on the log book.

• Flagging up modified vehicles for inspection at shows and from magazine articles - keep your registration plates/chassis number (if visible to outside i.e. in windscreen) hidden if possible to make it more difficult.

There is a rumour flying around that they are going to give the MOT tester a “modified vehicle” button which he has to check if a modified vehicle goes for an MOT. If this is checked it will flag the vehicle up for inspection. However there is no evidence to say this is in the pipeline.

What happens if my car is flagged for inspection?

If your car is flagged for inspection you will be summoned to the nearest DVLA office. A trained inspector will then go over the car allocating points based on the above values. If the car passes the inspection the vehicle will retain its registration certificate. If the car doesn’t pass the inspection it’s registration certificate will be revoked, meaning that the car cannot be used on the road.

To re-register the vehicle it must pass through an IVA test.

The IVA test

The IVA test is a stringent inspection to register amateur built/radically altered vehicles. It was implemented as the old SVA test had no class for inspecting radically altered vehicles.

The test is too stringent to go into in a forum post. There is a PDF of the manual here

http://mcelroymotors...0may%202009.pdf

Most cars post mid 70s are type approved, and therefore in standard form should easily pass an IVA test. However in modified form it may be more difficult. There is definitely no way that a car running poke, stretched tyres or scrub line interference will pass. The best thing would be to print a copy of the manual off, buy a radius tool off eBay and go through each pointer making sure it will pass. It's laborious, but on the plus side it will give you an insight into how much though goes into designing a car to pass crash safety tests.

Costs

The costs of an IVA test are fairly high, around £450 (no vat), then £99 (no vat) for a re-test if you fail.

Chances of getting caught

Put simply, there is no way of knowing. There are thousands of cars that are still using their original registration number when they should be having an IVA test. You could drive around for 10 years and never get a whiff of an inspection, but on the other hand you could apply to swap onto a private plate, or an engine swap, and get flagged for inspection. It really is pot luck, but as time goes on there is a good chance they’ll find new ways to catch people out.

There is a current proposal that the DVLA local offices will be closed and their powers given to the Police/VOSA. Apart from the fact that it will mean the people doing the inspections will be more clued up on modified vehicles, I feel it could also give more ammunition to the police to clamp down on modified cars that whilst not necessarily illegal in basic terms (MOT, tax, insurance present) fall foul of the regulations.

http://www.the-ace.org.uk/

The Association of Car Enthusiasts aims to report on and fight against forthcoming vehicle legislation that has a damaging effect on the modified car "hobby".

[ormi]

to the above mate your a star ive been telling lots of peeps they couldnt ban hid's.....but thank you for finding that info.....well looks like my hids are legal afterall lmao..ive got washers ive just not got self level but my cars stiff so i dont need it

[Uncle Bob]

No problem, the info to me seems truthful and not the !Removed! floating about the Internet scarring owners of modded cars.

[Cyker]

Voted up! That's some great info

[liam6200]

Illegal MOT's should not even be contemplated as a way around the proposed regulations!

people still do it though

[ormi]

tbh dodgy mot's are not worth doing i have even failed my own car as i point blank refuse to do a dodgy mot its not worth my licence or my work loosing the mot bay.....im not a hard mot tester but a fair one(due to working in a main dealer i dont get to fail many cars) and i will even bring the customer through and point out the fault reason for fail etc

[Jan&tone]

Two things here, since we seem to have got round to dodgy MOT certs...

Firstly the issuer of the dodgy MOT should be jailed

Secondly the recipient of said dodgy MOT should have the car confiscated, crushed AND be jailed.

Quite possibly, driving a car with a dodgy MOT is tantamount to planning someones death or maiming and should be treated as such.

[Red diesel]

The EU beurucrats are a bunch of idiots that live in a completely different planet.

The problem car enthusiasts face (and its very pleasing to read Uncle Bobs post which seems to contain better news than we could have hoped for) in general is that non car people cannot understand the hobby or the idea that modifying a car can actually make it a safer car. If its done properly of course, and yes thats right - i am saying that a modified car can be safer than a standard car yes.

Part of the problem is that the likes of VOSA and all the regulatory bodies haven't a clue what they are looking at a lot of the time, if i rock up in front of them with something like a 1984 Nissan Stanza with upgraded suspension (a lot of aftermarket suspension kits come in colours like yellow - hence stand out to Mr Inspector ). They will be thinking - aftermarket suspension means a deviation from factory spec which means not as safe because factory spec is always the best spec (not always the case as many of us know). Wheras in reality - aftermarket suspension can mean - superior (safer) suspension set up compared to factory suspension and also mean - prudent owner that cares for their car and is more likely to mind it.

Red diesel

[mrpj]

"i have even failed my own car"

Surely that has to be a "conflict of interest" and a tester should not or not even be allowed to examine their own vehicle?