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New European Union rules dictating the inclusion of certain safety items in new cars from 2012 is likely to hurt the pockets of owners of older cars come their annual roadworthy test.
The new EU rules say electronic stability control will be mandatory on new cars from November 1, 2012. It will also see items such as power seat-adjustment motors and original-equipment tyre pressure monitors added to the UK roadworthy test.
The annual MoT test is used to determine vehicle safety, roadworthiness and exhaust emissions. It applies to most cars older than three years that are driven on public roads in the UK.
The new Ministry of Transport (MoT) rules will make it compulsory for these systems to be in working order but won’t just apply to new vehicles or factory-fitted systems – all vehicles with the systems fitted will be scrutinised.
EARLY ADOPTERS' PAIN
But with repair costs for stability control and tyre pressure monitoring systems expected to run into the tens of thousands, keeping these in running order could prove expensive.
Though local motoring groups have welcomed the MoT testers’ decision to keep up with technology, they have apparently also expressed concern that the new rules are set to apply retrospectively.
AA president Edmund King said: “Some people will be caught out unfairly because they were early adopters. A degree of flexibility with older vehicles would have been good.”
Auto Express news and features editor Julie Sinclair said: “It’s about time the MoT got tougher but repair costs for these important safety features need to come down or we’ll end up with a nation divided by those motorists than can afford to be safe on the road... and those that can’t.”
From January 1, 2012, the UK’s MoT test will include:
• Airbags
• Brake fluid warning light
• Catalytic converter
• Condition of all visible wiring
• Condition of battery
• Electronic seat adjustment motor
• Electronic parking brake
• Electronic stability control
• High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps
• Power steering
• Seat belt pre-tensioners
• Trailer/caravan electrical socket
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
Do you think a similar annual system would, if rolled out in South Africa, have an effect on the roadworthiness and safety records of local vehicles?
The new EU rules say electronic stability control will be mandatory on new cars from November 1, 2012. It will also see items such as power seat-adjustment motors and original-equipment tyre pressure monitors added to the UK roadworthy test.
The annual MoT test is used to determine vehicle safety, roadworthiness and exhaust emissions. It applies to most cars older than three years that are driven on public roads in the UK.
The new Ministry of Transport (MoT) rules will make it compulsory for these systems to be in working order but won’t just apply to new vehicles or factory-fitted systems – all vehicles with the systems fitted will be scrutinised.
EARLY ADOPTERS' PAIN
But with repair costs for stability control and tyre pressure monitoring systems expected to run into the tens of thousands, keeping these in running order could prove expensive.
Though local motoring groups have welcomed the MoT testers’ decision to keep up with technology, they have apparently also expressed concern that the new rules are set to apply retrospectively.
AA president Edmund King said: “Some people will be caught out unfairly because they were early adopters. A degree of flexibility with older vehicles would have been good.”
Auto Express news and features editor Julie Sinclair said: “It’s about time the MoT got tougher but repair costs for these important safety features need to come down or we’ll end up with a nation divided by those motorists than can afford to be safe on the road... and those that can’t.”
From January 1, 2012, the UK’s MoT test will include:
• Airbags
• Brake fluid warning light
• Catalytic converter
• Condition of all visible wiring
• Condition of battery
• Electronic seat adjustment motor
• Electronic parking brake
• Electronic stability control
• High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps
• Power steering
• Seat belt pre-tensioners
• Trailer/caravan electrical socket
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
Do you think a similar annual system would, if rolled out in South Africa, have an effect on the roadworthiness and safety records of local vehicles?
