Changes to MOT rules January 2012 - Are you ready?

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.


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.

Quiz Evening

 

Quiz Evening

Quiz Evening

 

 

Thank you to all the Mid Kent Group members and friends who turned up last night for the quiz evening and made it such an enjoyable success.

Special thanks go to Christine for making the fantastic food and drink buffet, which everyone enjoyed.

Special mention to our guests from, ROSPA, East Kent Group, (even though they won the quiz) Geoff and Liz Pretty.

A thank you letter

The Institute Of Advanced Motorists

IAM House

510 Chiswick High Road

London

W4 5RG

 

4^th December 2011

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my appreciation of the observers & examiners associated with the Mid Kent Group of the IAM based in Maidstone, Kent. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences of the lectures and observed drives, and sharing knowledge with other candidates.

 

Being a keen driver, and having treated myself to a high performance car, I thought that taking a course leading to the advanced driving test seemed like a good idea – particularly if it helped reduce rises in insurance premiums!

 

After my first lesson, I was sceptical about some of the techniques (eg. separation of braking and gear changing), but my mentors encouraged me to persevere, telling me that most newcomers to advanced driving experienced similar feelings in one way or another.

With practice and moving through subsequent observed drives, I recognised that instead of getting worse, my driving had started to improve – it was smoother and I was making better progress – traffic permitting!

 

I was very impressed with the standard of teaching from my observers. They each had their own style, but their advice was consistent and from time to time embellished with personal tips.

I am very grateful to all the volunteers from the Mid Kent Group along with the local examiners who do a fantastic job helping to improve driving standards and safety in Kent. Not to be forgotten are the group's social events too – my son and I had a thoroughly exhilarating (and educational) morning with a police instructor on a skid pan recently.

Particular thanks go to organisers John Bowman & Mick Cranford, and observers Dave Hudson, Lee Wallis, Nick Skew, David Cobham and then Steve Poile who stood in at short notice to take me on an extra drive due to my delayed test.

 

Lastly, but not least, thanks go to my examiner, Terry Friday. I don't think I've ever enjoyed myself so much under 'exam' conditions before. Terry's experience shone though in all the advice he passed to me during and after the test, and it was great to hear some of his stories too!

 

Having passed the IAM advanced test, I am now enjoying my driving even more and believe that as a result of all the knowledge and advice from the Mid Kent Group and examiners, I am a more skilled, a more confident and a safer driver.

 

So I'd like to close with a big thank-you to the IAM, The Mid Kent Group and the local Examiners.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Mr Adrian Caws

A heavy lunch could make you a dangerous driver

Getty

Tucking into a big lunch could make you more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel, say scientists from Loughborough University.
A new study has found that eating a fatty and sugary meal can make it harder to concentrate on the road.
Men under 30 are statistically most likely to fall asleep behind the wheel, so 12 young men attended the university's sleep research centre, where they ate beef lasagne and toffee yoghurt for lunch.
Half were given diet versions containing 305 calories and the rest were given the normal versions which contained 922 calories.
All of them normally slept well but had only slept for five hours the night before.
After lunch they were put into a driving simulator where they began a two-hour-long boring 'drive' along a dual carriageway.
Those who ate the fatty lunch started off the same as those who had the light lunch but after the first half hour they were more likely to drift into the other lane - and didn't even realise that they were becoming tired.   This happens because a big lunch, and a high fat intake, can exacerbate the effects of a poor night's sleep.
Racing drivers tend to have high-protein, high-energy food and not masses of it, something like a dish of pasta with small strips of smoked salmon so if that works for Michael Schumacher and other racing drivers and keeps them alert for 45 laps of the track, perhaps that's something that other drivers can learn from!

Open Day at Kent Fire Station, Canterbury.

On Sunday 4th December 2011 the Institute of Advanced Motorists was invited to participate in a Road Safety Campaign hosted by the Kent Fire Service in Canterbury.  In addition to Kent Fire and Rescue;  Kent Police, Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership, Crimestoppers and the British Red Cross all had exhibitions which entertained the public on a very chilly day.

Trevor Dickenson and Amanda Smith from the IAM and Alan Rowe and myself from the Mid Kent Group were there to promote the Skill for Life programme, Momentum for the younger drivers as well as the various Drive Checks.  Although most visitors were from Canterbury Alan and I did our best to promote the benefits of the Mid Kent Group ( Alan can be very persuasive)  and we had interest in the Skill for Life and a possible Observer.  Trevor and Amanda persuaded several Advanced Drivers from the ranks of the police and Fire Service to join the IAM on the concessionary basis as their driving skill has already been established.  One person may be interested in becoming an examiner if Trevor can twist his arm.

One lady was definitely our Highlight of the Day.  She came to our stand and said, 'That's it, Christmas presents, Advanced Driving courses for my daughters'  'If you sign up now you can have them at the special rate of £125 each', I said. ' How many daughters do you have?'  'Three she said'

That really made our day.  Unfortunately only one lives locally but we look forward to her joining us next year.

Our second Highlight of the Day was the Kent Fire and Rescue demonstration of cutting someone our of a wrecked car in four easy stages.

1. Break all the glass in a controlled way to avoid accidental injury later

2. Using a pair of giant pliers crush the door panels

3. Lever open the wing to expose the hinges

4.  Cut through the hinges and remove the door.

It makes one hell of a mess of the car but as the fireman said, you can replace  the car, we can't replace you.


from Phil Mason
Outside Events Coordinator