[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-mot-rules-is-your-car-now-illegal\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-mot-rules-is-your-car-now-illegal\/","headline":"New MOT Rules: Is Your Car Now Illegal?","name":"New MOT Rules: Is Your Car Now Illegal?","description":"You may have heard about new MOT rules coming into action, but some of these could now make your car illegal if you were to have an MOT carried out. There are some new checks are somewhat targeted at diesel cars, as well as other new checks that impact all motorists. We\u2019ll help clarify exactly what these changes are and how you can avoid failing your next MOT. These new MOT rules came into effect on the 20th May 2018, […]","datePublished":"2018-06-10","dateModified":"2018-06-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/New-MOT-Rules-Is-Your-Car-Now-Illegal-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/New-MOT-Rules-Is-Your-Car-Now-Illegal-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-mot-rules-is-your-car-now-illegal\/","about":["LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":552,"keywords":["Law Changes","MOT","MOT Checks"],"articleBody":"You may have heard about new MOT rules coming into action, but some of these could now make your car illegal if you were to have an MOT carried out.There are some new checks are somewhat targeted at diesel cars, as well as other new checks that impact all motorists. We\u2019ll help clarify exactly what these changes are and how you can avoid failing your next MOT.These new MOT rules came into effect on the 20th May 2018, so if you\u2019ve got yours due soon, you better see exactly what\u2019s changed.Diesel cars need to be \u201cclean\u201dIf you drive a diesel vehicle, be it a car, van or even bike, you need to check your exhaust.Firstly, if your diesel vehicle emits any kind of visible smoke, you will receive a major fault which is the second most serious fault you can get, obviously resulting in a failed MOT.Secondly, if the examiner finds any evidence that your DPF (diesel particulate filter) has been meddled with, you will receive a major fault. Thousands of drivers in the UK have either tampered with or completely removed their DPF. This is because a clogged DPF can often cause warning lights to come on or in some cases, actually cause serious damage to your car.However, if the MOT garage finds any sign that the DPF has been altered in any way, you\u2019ll fail your MOT. That being said, the garage will only be able to inspect the exhaust system from the outside, they won\u2019t be taking it apart to look inside.New checks you need to be wary of:As of May this year, you\u2019ll need to make sure a few extra things are in order before you drive to your local MOT tester.A few that you can check easily are the inflation level of the tyres, leaking fluids coming from the car and brake pad warning lights. All of those things will potentially cause you to fail your MOT if they\u2019re not up to standard.On top of that, the garage will now have to check if your brake fluid is contaminated and if any brake pads\/discs are missing. If your car has reversing lights or headlight washers first used from 1st September 2009, they will also be checked and the same goes for daytime running lights first used from 1st March 2018.If you have headlight washers or reversing lights that predate September 2009 then you don\u2019t need to worry, the same goes for daytime running lights older than March 2018.It\u2019s important that we are all educated on these new changes as driving around without a valid MOT certificate registered to your car can result in a fine of up to \u00a31,000. You can also see the list of changes we talked about in neat bullet point form below.These MOT changes came into effect on 20 MaySome vehicles over 40 years old are now exempt from MOTMOT now checks for:Any visible smoke on diesel carsDPF tampered with on diesel carsDeflated tyresContaminated brake fluidFluid leaks posing environmental harmBrake pad warning lightsBrake pads\/discs missingFaulty reversing lights first used from 1 Sept. 2009Faulty headlight washers first used from 1 Sept. 2009Faulty daytime running lights first used from 1 March 2018"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"New MOT Rules: Is Your Car Now Illegal?","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-mot-rules-is-your-car-now-illegal\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]