dont know if much of this effect the 300zx but it may our daily drivers so lifted this for a look at.

 

dan.:whistling:

 

On 1 January 2012, new rules were added to the current MOT by the Department for Transport (DfT) to comply with European testing procedures.

 

It's a pretty substantial list, but there's one which could mean big bills for thousands of drivers. If your car has any illuminated warning lamps, whether it is the airbag, seatbelt, ESP, SRS, ABS or others, it will soon fail the MOT.

 

 

It's not all bad news. If your car's MOT runs out before the 31 March 2012 and you have a warning light that needs addressing, the testers will treat it as an 'advisory', i.e. advice on what needs to be done for the next MOT.

 

However, if your MOT is due after 1 April 2012, you better get your skates on and get the warning light (or other faults in the list below) fixed, otherwise you'll receive the dreaded red fail sheet.

 

The AA has kindly published a summary of the new rules. If you think your car needs attention on any of the points below but still has a long MOT left, we recommend getting it seen to sooner rather than later.

 

The main changes from 2012

 

Electronic parking brake

 

Electronic parking brake controls are now included and must be present and not inappropriately repaired or modified - repair obviously likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle or modification that has seriously weakened the component.

 

(The 'inappropriately repaired or modified' check is to be applied to a wide range of systems and components throughout the vehicle.)

 

The car will fail if an Electronic Parking Brake warning lamp is illuminated to indicate a malfunction.

 

Electronic Stability Control

 

Checks of anti-lock brakes will be extended to include Electronic Stability Control if fitted. The tester will check for the presence and correct operation of the ESC malfunction warning light together with looking for obviously missing, excessively damaged or inappropriately repaired or modified components and electrical wiring, as well as an ESC switch missing, insecure or faulty.

 

Warning lights

 

As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;

 

Headlight main beam warning light

 

Electronic power steering warning light

 

Brake fluid level warning light

 

Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light

 

Airbag warning light

 

Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light

 

Steering & suspension

 

The new test includes a check on the presence and correct function of the steering lock where fitted as standard.

 

Missing, or split/damaged dust covers on steering and suspension ball-joints will result in failure if they will allow dirt to enter the joint.

 

Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir.

 

Lighting

 

Products on the lens or light source that obviously reduce the light's intensity or change its colour will become a reason for failure – applies to front/rear position lamps, registration plate lamps, stop lamps, rear fog and direction indicators,

 

Headlight requirements are updated to take account of the particular characteristics of High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps.

 

HID headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high so car manufacturers must fit headlamp cleaning and levelling systems. A car will fail if a mandatory headlamp cleaning or levelling system is missing, doesn't work or is obviously defective.

 

Vehicles fitted with aftermarket HID systems must also be fitted with properly working washer and levelling systems.

 

If a headlamp bulb is not seated correctly the resulting beam pattern will be indistinct and this will result in a test fail.

 

Electrical wiring and battery

 

An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as will a battery that is leaking electrolyte.

 

Visible wiring that is insecure, inadequately supported or likely to cause a short will also result in a failure as will wires bared by damaged insulation.

 

Trailer/caravan electrical socket

 

There will be a basic security/damage check of 7-pin sockets,

 

13-pin sockets will be subject to a full electrical connectivity check and incorrectly connected or inoperative circuits will result in failure.

 

Tyres

 

Tyre pressure monitoring systems fitted to vehicles first registered after 1 January 2012 must be working correctly and not indicating a malfunction.

 

Supplementary restraints

 

The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective.

 

A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure.

 

Seatbelt load limiters that are missing where fitted as standard or folding webbing type limiters that have obviously deployed are also reasons for failure.

 

The vehicle will also fail if an SRS malfunction light is missing, not working or indicating a fault.

 

Speedometer

 

The car will fail if a speedometer is not fitted, is incomplete, inoperative, has a dial glass broken/missing or cannot be illuminated.

 

Seats

 

It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft.

 

Doors

 

A rear door that cannot be opened from the outside using the relevant control is a new reason for failure.

 

Doors must be easy to open and close – hinges, catches and pillars will be inspected.

 

Towbars

 

Inappropriate repair or modification to the towbar assembly will be a reason for failure if judged likely to affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle/trailer.

 

Exhaust

 

A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure.

 

Fuel system

 

Damaged or chafed fuel pipes will result in failure.

I think a lot of people will just be pulling the bulbs out, warning lights will struggle to light up without one :wink:

to be honest i thought these dash bulb tests were already part of the MOT? doesnt cover me that much as my car doesnt have half of whats listed, the zeds too old

 

Bit gay on the old HID leveling and washing mech though, seems a bit odd considering not all cars with HIDs as standard had washers installed.

 

also can you honestly see a MOT guy going around all the electrical connectors to make sure that they are properly insulated, i think thats going to be for more obvious things in plain sight.

I think a lot of people will just be pulling the bulbs out, warning lights will struggle to light up without one :wink:

 

Ah - but most warning lights need to come on when the ignition is switched on then go out when running! ;)

Ah - but most warning lights need to come on when the ignition is switched on then go out when running! ;)

 

True, but all cars have different warning lights, even between models! Who's to say what's supposed to come on and what isn't? Only 2 or 3 have ever lit up in my Z on ignition, yet they all do work (Except hicas which has been removed because it doesn't exist on the car anymore), even my hold and power buttons work if the board is plugged in, and it's a manual! lol

mine is in at the moment having a mot, will see how it goes

I bet most zeds havent got cats fitted now.

True, but all cars have different warning lights, even between models! Who's to say what's supposed to come on and what isn't? Only 2 or 3 have ever lit up in my Z on ignition, yet they all do work (Except hicas which has been removed because it doesn't exist on the car anymore), even my hold and power buttons work if the board is plugged in, and it's a manual! lol

 

It will normally tell you in the VSI (vehicle specific information) on the test sheet when you print it out - guessing at the moment but the ABS check has been this way for years now

I bet most zeds havent got cats fitted now.

 

wont apply to a pre 95 zed as it ony applies to cars that require a full cat emmission test

wont apply to a pre 95 zed as it ony applies to cars that require a full cat emmission test

 

Will it apply to diesels that have had the pre-cat removed ? :whistling:

wont apply to a pre 95 zed as it ony applies to cars that require a full cat emmission test

 

That's the only bit that's got me worried.

 

As I've got a UK with the headlamp washers, I should be OK on hids as well.

Will it apply to diesels that have had the pre-cat removed ? :whistling:

 

well it says only for vehicles that qualify for a full cat emissions test - which suggests only petrol engines so you should not be able to fail a diesel engined car without a cat!

 

Some testers may try to but reading the testers manual it does state the above!

Lighting

 

Products on the lens or light source that obviously reduce the light's intensity or change its colour will become a reason for failure – applies to front/rear position lamps, registration plate lamps, stop lamps, rear fog and direction indicators,

 

 

So anyone with tinted/smoked indicators, sidelights, fogs or tail lights will have a problem here.....

 

there must be a load of parts manufactures out there that are furious about this....

So anyone with tinted/smoked indicators, sidelights, fogs or tail lights will have a problem here.....

 

there must be a load of parts manufactures out there that are furious about this....

 

it will get to the point where they will just ban modified cars.

Its not against modified cars. It's against those tits who paint their lights so that the tail lights are barely visible, and the stop lights look as bright as the tail lights on an ordinary car. It's incredibly dangerous in the fog.

 

Sometimes you just have to see some common sense with these changes. They're not doing it to get at us, unlike the land of free, USA.

The EU are trying to ban modifications to bikes, cars will be next ...

has anyone passed/failed an MOT based on the above new rules, especially with aftermarket HIDs, decats, etc.? I know that there's been a bedding in period where potential failures have been passed as advisories.

has anyone passed/failed an MOT based on the above new rules, especially with aftermarket HIDs, decats, etc.? I know that there's been a bedding in period where potential failures have been passed as advisories.

i passed one a couple of weeks ago with no problems

 

2nd one later this month when it warms up and the vert ventures out

i passed one a couple of weeks ago with no problems

 

2nd one later this month when it warms up and the vert ventures out

I wonder if they've even considered the fact that by effectively banning modifications to vehicles, they'd be killing off a large part of the automotive industry which inevitably would result in yet more unemployment as thousands of companies went bust :confused1:

I wonder if they've even considered the fact that by effectively banning modifications to vehicles, they'd be killing off a large part of the automotive industry which inevitably would result in yet more unemployment as thousands of companies went bust :confused1:

HID's aren't banned - as long as they have the correct beam pattern, then it's ok.

depends how your tester interprets the testing manual

I do hope I get to laugh at those daft tw@t boyracers with their blindingly bright blue HIDs that they paid a small fortune for having to switch back to the standard lights.

have you driven your zed at night yet dave?