Tyre pressure sensors and MOT

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 10:25 am

Just been poking around the net and came across some articles regarding tyre pressure sensors and the MOT. I understand that from the 1st of Jan next year inoperative pressure sensors or a defective system will be an MOT failure. Can anyone confirm this?, if its true then it looks like 4 new sensors for me at Â£90 a pop

Hammy · Post by **Hammy** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:20 pm

[quote=""IanP""]Just been poking around the net and came across some articles regarding tyre pressure sensors and the MOT. I understand that from the 1st of Jan next year inoperative pressure sensors or a defective system will be an MOT failure. Can anyone confirm this?, if its true then it looks like 4 new sensors for me at Â£90 a pop

[/quote]

There's a whole list of stuff which MIGHT be included in the MOT from next year, but none of it has been confirmed yet. For example, checking to see whether a car has been de-catted (currently they just test emissions, not actual component presence) and looking for after-market HID installs. There is also the possibility of them checking for remaps. From what I recall, the tyre sensors are on the same list. It's currently still a consultation IIRC.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 10:09 pm

Some items on the list will come into force next year, though I expect it will be limited to the simple checks like after market HID systems that don't meet the regs, or a removed cat, or a warning light being on etc They're the easy ones as mostly a visual check will pick them up. The rest will probably have to be in place by 2014 in order to comply with the European Directive. And the certs are all on plain paper now.....no more colour ones once stocks are exhausted. That should save a bit of dosh. Not that te test will get any cheaper mind.

How would they pick up a TP sensor failure on cars that use the ABS to do the monitoring? Short of plugging in something to the OBD socket, I can't see how a lot of this can be picked up. Can't really say I'm overly keen about letting a tester go anywhere near the expensive electronics on my car!! Some of them struggle to use a beam setter, never mind a fault scanner...

Mind you, if they do start looking for remaps, then what will it do to people like Jason, or those that have had it done? Is it because the car no longer complies with its 'as Type Approved' statement or what? Is there going to be a cut-off point where any vehicle manufactured before a certain date gets exempted from some of the checks?

Denis O · Post by **Denis O** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 5:14 am

Just another bloody good reason to get as far away from the crackheads in Brussels as possible

Hammy · Post by **Hammy** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:50 am

[quote=""X5Sport""]Some items on the list will come into force next year, though I expect it will be limited to the simple checks like after market HID systems that don't meet the regs, or a removed cat, or a warning light being on etc They're the easy ones as mostly a visual check will pick them up. The rest will probably have to be in place by 2014 in order to comply with the European Directive. And the certs are all on plain paper now.....no more colour ones once stocks are exhausted. That should save a bit of dosh. Not that te test will get any cheaper mind.

How would they pick up a TP sensor failure on cars that use the ABS to do the monitoring? Short of plugging in something to the OBD socket, I can't see how a lot of this can be picked up. Can't really say I'm overly keen about letting a tester go anywhere near the expensive electronics on my car!! Some of them struggle to use a beam setter, never mind a fault scanner...

Mind you, if they do start looking for remaps, then what will it do to people like Jason, or those that have had it done? Is it because the car no longer complies with its 'as Type Approved' statement or what? Is there going to be a cut-off point where any vehicle manufactured before a certain date gets exempted from some of the checks?[/quote]

Visible checks wouldn't be sufficient, not for de-cats and HIDs anyway. For example, this is a picture of my Volvo's headlamp.

There is a full HID kit installed, but the only way to prove it is to either open up the headlamp unit or remove the entire front bumper as all the cabling and the ballast are in a void in the bumper, the only part in the headlamp is the bulb itself. So, unless they also change the rules about an MOT inspector not being allowed to open/dismantle items then it will pass. Same goes for de-cats, people will just knock the catalyst out of the casing and put the empty item back on the car. I should probably point out at this stage that my car has projector lights fitted which provide the proper beam pattern etc with the HIDs and do not dazzle oncoming drivers and that my ridiculously expensive Ferrita exhaust system most definitely does have a CAT fitted, although a 100 CEL race item

As to remaps, before my Volvo goes for its MOT (in fact for any work where I'm not able to see the vehicle) I always remove mine anyway, then reinstall it when I get the car back. I even have the ability to lock my cars performance into "teenager mode", basically it makes it perform like a N/A rather than a turbo.

The problem here isn't the modifications of a car, it's how they've been done. There is a world of difference between some "yoof" chopping the CAT out of his Corsa with a hacksaw and spot welding a straight pipe in its place then sticking an 8000k HID kit into his standard light units and people like me who take a lot of time, effort and money getting their car modified. Unfortunately, in traditional knee jerk style, the powers that be cannot see the difference, so we all get lumped together.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:32 am

Aftermarket HID kits can be checked visually as they also require light auto-levelling systems and headlight washing systems. If neiher are present then that's a fail. It's also possible to check for the right type of bulb being fitted from the amount of 'scatter'. Reflector type lamps require type 'R' bulbs. Fitting a non-R bulb is obvious with a beam-setter/tester. No need to disassemble anything. Again projector lamps need projector bulbs.

Lamps Units must be approved to ECE98 and the lighting has to comply with ECE48.

De-cats may be more difficult but not all cats can have the interior gubbins removed easily. No doubt we're in for interesting, and probably frustrating, times

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:41 am

So if they are aligning to Brussels, does that mean we are getting the first MOT at 4 years as well, and every OTHER year after that instead of every year?

No? Did not thinks so ...

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 11:01 am

Changes reported from a very recent VOSA Seminar

OBD checking - still working on that one - that is the a run through of the whole vehicle system, not just the engine.
No physical/visual ECU checks.
Exhaust catalyst presence for petrol and diesel vehicles - subject to confirmation, but could be post 2002 only

New checks - faults here will fail you from what I can find. Full details are due to be published during October/November.

HID headlights, including the presence and functionality of levelling devices (usually levers on the suspension) and headlamp washers
Wiring, battery security and 13 pin towbar electrics - not 7 or 8 pin, only 13 pin - (not sure what this really means)
Airbag and secondary restraint sytems (SRS) - i.e warning lights indicating a malfunction
Other warning indicators to be checked are brake fluid level, traction control and steering, tyre pressure and main beam warning lights - though no check on the ECU Light - yet
Engine and gearbox mountings
Fuel lines condition and LPG gas leak detection
Power steering fluid level
Ball joint gaiters, inner driveshaft CV gaiters and gaiters on rear driveshafts that form part of the suspension
Rear door opening, as per front door opening - i.e. from the outside and inside without reaching through the window
Inappropriate repairs
Front brake imbalance increases from 25% to 30% - but rear brake imbalance is also 30%

No word on extending the test periods though, may be that will be one for 2014? I suppose someone will have to decide where the cutoff date for annual, or whatever the new period will eventually be agreed at. I personally don't think it should be extended. Given the extended service intervals it might be two years before anyone actually looks over their cars. Not an easy one that.

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:10 pm

I agree to some extend to what you are saying as the state / condition of the UK cars in general seems to be lower than those for example in NL where due to tax, there is no such thing as a cheap car and people generally look after them better because they are more expensive.

Perhaps an alternative could be something like - new cars first MOT at 4 years (easy to implement), then every other year to say until 8 years old or so. That way, the banger range is still checked. Or if the vehicle has the manufacturer recommended service intervals checks performed, an MOT is redundant as well.

Note that even with new cars, the checking of tyres is often neglected and can still result in a roadside stop / vehicle failure.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:18 pm

So just one question.

In your opinions, would a 3 year old car with 20,000 miles warrant the same inspection level as a 3 year old car with 120,000 miles?
Irrespective of servicing which may or mayn't be done, would you not expect the higher mileage car to have endured a harder life?

Shouldn't the MOT have a mileage element integrated to cover this?

Just my initial 2p worth

Sent from my iPod device using Tapatalk

Waka · Post by **Waka** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:52 pm

All the while that mileage 'correction' is so easy and so prevalent I would say no.

I wish manufacturers would have some kind of tamper-proof black box to record all mileage changes, but that's probably for another thread...

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Oct 21, 2011 3:52 pm

From this week's Auto Express, from 01 Jan 2012 the following items will be added to the MoT Test:

Airbags & Warning Lights
Brake Fluid Warning Light
Catalytic Converter
Condition of all visible wiring
Condition of Battery
Electric seat motor adjustment
Electronic Parking Brake
Electronic Stability Control
HID Lighting
Power Steering
Seatbelt Pre-tensioners
Trailer/Caravan electrical socket (where fitted).
and
TPMS

No change in the test interval - yet.

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 12:10 am

[quote=""X5Sport""]From this week's Auto Express, from 01 Jan 2012 the following items will be added to the MoT Test:

Airbags & Warning Lights
Brake Fluid Warning Light
Catalytic Converter
Condition of all visible wiring
Condition of Battery
Electric seat motor adjustment
Electronic Parking Brake
Electronic Stability Control
HID Lighting
Power Steering
Seatbelt Pre-tensioners
Trailer/Caravan electrical socket (where fitted).
and
TPMS

No change in the test interval - yet.[/quote]

So the X5 is OK with its tryre pressure warning lights, but looks like I will finally have to do something about my Audis airbag light. Guess its time for the scrapyard in the sky

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:53 am

..........If keeping the audi I hope you can find a creative fix/remedy solution

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 11:01 am

Alas poor Audi, it has served me well

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