MOT test WARNING - Making this simple mistake could land you a £2,500 fine

Tough new MOT rules  will be coming into force next month.

A loophole in the MOT test could, however, catch motorists out and land them a fine of £2,500.

Drivers can put their vehicle in for MOT up to one month before the scheduled date to see if any repairs need to be made before the certificate expires.

However, if the car fails the test and it then still driven on the road until the certificate expires, drivers can face a fine of £2,500.

Faults found on a car on the MOT test is logged onto a national database and therefore renders the car no longer road legal, despite there still being remaining time left of the certificate.

Strict new MOT rules  will be introduced in May, making it harder for diesel cars to pass.

Under the new rules, faults will now be categorised as either Minor, Major or Dangerous.

Any vehicle that lands a Minor fault will still be able to pass the roadworthiness test but it will be flagged on the MOT certificate and will need to be dealt with later down the line.

They function in the same way that an ‘advisory’ notice on the current test certificates.

Dangerous and Major faults will, however, result in an immediate ban.

Those marked as Dangerous will make the car illegal to be driven on public roads, while Major faults will need to be repaired and then retested before the car can use the road again.

Diesel cars will also face tighter testing to help clampdown on harmful emissions being released from vehicle tailpipes.

If any smoke is visible from the exhaust when the engine is started, the car will fail immediately. 

A plethora of new checks will also be introduced which include: reversing lights on vehicles, daytime running lights , front fog lights, emission control equipment and fluid leaks posing an environmental risk.

Below is a definitive list of the changes to the MOT test coming into force on May 20th 2018: 

1.The new smoke limits will apply to vehicles first used from 2014 and the use of manufacturer specified limits, where they exist, on vehicles first used from July 2008.

2.The full list of new checks is:
-reversing lights on vehicles first used from September 2009
-daytime running lights on vehicles first used from March 2018
-front fog lights on vehicles first used from March 2018
-prop shafts
-bumper security and condition
-rear drive shafts on all vehicles
-cab security
-cab steps
-floor condition
-undertray security
-noise suppression material
-emission control equipment
-engine malfunction indicator lamp
-fluid leaks posing an environmental risk

3.Euro 6 vehicles must be fitted with diesel particulate filters but they may also be fitted on Euro 5 and Euro 4 vehicles if the manufacturer considered it necessary to meet emissions standards

4.Motorists should make sure that:
-brakes work smoothly and that the vehicle doesn’t pull to one side
-tyres are correctly inflated, have no cuts or bulges, and have at least the minimum amount of tread (1.6mm for cars and 1.0mm for motorcycles and vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats)
-headlights and other lights work - give them a tap to check they’re not loose or damaged and show light of the correct colour
-windscreen wipers and washers work
-the driver’s view of the road is clear of any obstruction, such as stickers, toys or air fresheners