Category Archives: Latest News

So, you want to tow?

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You want to tow a caravan for holidays, to a rod run etc? Or maybe you want to trailer home a new project? Your car has a tow bar fitted & your mate has a trailer, you’re good to go? Maybe, maybe not, read on…….


Licence entitlement.


When did you pass your test? If it was before 1/1/1997, (and you haven’t been disqualified since that date for any period) you are pretty well covered to tow any legally matched car/trailer combination as your licence will carry “B+E” entitlement. If it was after that date you will only have a “B” category licence so see below as you are restricted to the following:

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DVLA Local Office closures going ahead

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A recent press release from DVLA confirms that Local Office closures are going ahead and will be phased over October, November and December 2013.

It is stated that “Key to the improvements is centralising the DVLA’s services and making more transactions available online. This will make it easier than ever for people to deal with the agency at a time and place that suits.”
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MoT before registration of imports

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The current change in requirements for pre 1960 exemption threw up questions regarding VRM (Vehicle Registration Mark) transfers and also how it would affect vehicles requiring an MoT before first registration in this country.
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MoT tightened for American car owners

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A recent article in Matters of Testing, the VOSA MoT in-house magazine has highlighted issues with post August 1965 cars with red rear indicators. Legally, cars manufactured before August 1965 are allowed red indicators and whilst only a few British and European cars use this set up, it is common practice on all American cars.

It is pointed out in the magazine that there is NO leeway in allowing later cars to be passed as “they came from the factory like that“

The article is linked below

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MoT%20-%20Issue%2054%20-%20Jul%202012.pdf
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Sport cats and decat pipes

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Many car modifiers remove the standard catalytic converter for improved performance or replace them with ‘Sports’ aftermarket versions. However these items MUST be Type Approved and Sports aftermarket cats do not meet the requirements and therefore are illegal for road use
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Pre 1960 MOT exemption draws closer

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The official launch date, November 13th 2012 for MOT exemption on pre 1960 vehicles draws closer, but many important questions still remain unanswered. Details of all pre 1960 vehicles will be withdrawn from the VOSA database, meaning that the results of any voluntary MoT service offered will not be recorded on the official VOSA database. This means that there will be no real benefit for continuation on a voluntary basis, as the results will be unavailable to Police or other official sources.

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Good news for a change

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SVA for N1 light goods ceased in April 2012 with BIVA replacing it. However it now contains the C class that allows the testing of a production vehicle modified to pick-up, or modified production pick-up both of which could not be tested previously ( see http://www.the-ace.org.uk/biva-pickup-problems/ )

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MOT for Pre 1960 vehicles to be scrapped

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In an unexpected move, the Department of Transport has announced that pre-1960 cars and bikes will no longer require a valid MOT test to be road legal.

Owners of exempted vehicles, which account for around 160,000 currently on the road, will still be legally required to ensure that they’re roadworthy, in proper condition and safe, but, from 18th November 2012, are no longer obliged to take the annual inspection.

This move comes, despite widespread resistance from the classic car world.
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New MOT regulations – How modified is a modified?

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On the Pistonheads website an interesting article appeared relating to Track day cars and the MOT.

New MOT regs - Do you need to panic?

Most of the new rules have been introduced to keep up with the number of electronic safety systems on new cars. If there’s a warning light you’ve been trying to ignore for a while, you might want to take a second look at it. Under the new rules, any illuminated malfunction indicator lights for electronic power steering, air bags, seat belt pre-tensioners and the like could mean a failed test.
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Existing registered vehicles, The 8-point rule and retrospective BIVA

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It’s a well known fact that when a vehicle is modified, the changes must be notified to DVLA.

Looking at a V5c, there is a section to notify a change to the Wheelplan, Body Type, Chassis number, CC Engine etc.
What doesn’t appear on the V5c is the requirement to notify any changes to the Suspension, Axles, Steering or modifications to the body or chassis.
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