Brexit and the conversations around it have been tough for a lot of departments, with various changes taking place. This has been the case for vehicle manufacturers with the general rules for owning a vehicle going through some major revisions. Among changes about, the annual MOT was on the radar getting multiple opinions about scrap altogether, while others had different viewpoints on the same.
A recent report mentioned that drivers in the EU would have to change their driver’s licenses, post the finalization of Brexit. Additionally, they would need their insurance companies to cover them while driving around the EU. There were other smaller requirements for them to handle as well.
Places like Edinburgh in their effort to reduce polluting vehicles are in talks about banning cars that have passed a certain age. Although there is time for this to implement, people have begun making plans and working around it. There are also plans of coming up with penalties for people who use older vehicles post the ban. Certain rules place in London since the beginning of this year.
What are the rules and changes to come into effect regarding the MOT?
There are new categories for defects with cars while going through the MOT tests . Drivers will have to prepare themselves for these. Some of the new rating bits for the test are, dangerous, major, minor, advisory, or pass.
‘Dangerous’ and ‘major’ issues result in a vehicle failing the test while ‘minor’ issues have to be addressed immediately, vehicles going can pass the test. If a car fails the MOT, the owner would have to apply for the same again. ‘Advisory’ issue tackle eventually. The ‘pass’ section implies everything is perfectly fine with the vehicle.
After the constant talk and flack about the MOT requiring an upgrade, a few new tests add to it. Vehicles can have issues when going through the MOT test if they have
- Under-inflated tyres
- Contaminated brake fluid
- Blinking brake pad warning lights or are missing brake pads or discs
- Daytime running lights for the recent purchases are not turned on
What are the major changes with using a vehicle post the finalisation of Brexit?
The Government is considered lengthening the wait for a vehicle’s first MOT from three years to four but they have not come up with a verdict yet, which means it would take some time for its implementation.
Additionally, the UK MOT tests will not find in the EU post-Brexit, which means the cars would have to be checked again. It is easier to coordinate at this point, instead of waiting. Secondly, driver’s licenses will not be recognized either. If they haven’t been updated by that time, it is difficult to handle post the move. People without an EU driver’s license cannot drive cars in the EU and have to begin the driver’s license process from scratch.
