Established in 1960, the UK Ministry of Transport (MOT) Test will be 65 years old in 2025! With more changes predicted to arrive for it, examining the UK MOT developments over the years since its conception are beneficial in predicting what else may be added to this staple test.
On first introduction, the UK MOT Test was initially only applicable to vehicles over ten-years old. It was a basic test, utilizing simple checks for only brakes, lighting, and steering.
In the years that followed, as automotive technology advanced, extra additions were included. Let’s examine how the MOT got to where it is now, in 2024.
1960’s
In the 1960’s, wipers and windscreen washers became prevalent, and standard additions for cars. The next changes to the test were in 1961, when wipers and washers were included in the MOT, and it was announced all vehicles over seven-years had to be tested. In 1967, the age a vehicle needed to be tested at was lowered further to three years.
1970’s
It took ten years for the next update, which was to include seat belts and rear reflectors for the MOT, in 1977. Front seatbelts only became a legal requirement for new cars in 1967, ten years prior to them being included on the MOT.
Wearing seatbelts in the front seats became compulsory in 1983, unless the vehicle was made before 1965, when anchorage points for seatbelts had first been required to accommodate the upcoming 1967 law. It was only in 1991 that all passengers were legally obligated to wear a seatbelt.
1980’s
1983 saw indicators included in the MOT test. In 1965, the UK passed a law requiring indicators to be a mandatory fitting for all vehicles. It’s interesting that this was included in the MOT test almost twenty years after the law passed, showing that just because something is an essential fitting, doesn’t mean it’s instantly integral for inclusion on the MOT.
Checks on suspension and brake performance were also included in 1988.
1990’s
The UK MOT Test saw its most comprehensive overhaul of changes yet in the 90’s.
In 1991, the MOT test expanded to include battery security, fuel system checks, and a windscreen check.
This check for windscreens would be to ensure there are no obvious obstructions of vision, or potential cracks and breakages that could later be a problem – something that may have been an oversight, 30 years prior, when the test was established.
A year later in 1992, emission testing for petrol vehicles were included in the MOT Test, with diesel checks in 1993. Mirrors, fuel tank caps and exhaust checks began in 1996, and catalytic converters were added in 1997. 1998 saw the MOT add registration plate checks, tying off the century with the most additions added in this decade since the test’s initial conception.
2000’s
The new millennium saw extra additions to the MOT with the rise of new technology. In 2000, ABS, wheel bearings and rear seat belt specifications were added to the test (1991 saw the law that made it mandatory for all passengers to wear a seatbelt). During the first decade of the 2000’s, new checks regarding airbags, seatbelt mechanisms (pre-tensioners), diesel smoke emissions, and electronic stability control system checks were introduced in the first five years alone.
From 2010 onwards, more digital and electronic components became included in the MOT test. One of the most notable updates was the 2018 update that established “defect categories”. These include the commonly known “dangerous”, “major”, and “minor” advisories which help owners maintain good upkeep of their vehicle, with suggestions of repair, even if it’s not legally mandated under the MOT.
Why does the UK MOT keep changing?
The development of vehicles, and the addition of laws pertaining to vehicles are constantly changing to match modern times, which necessitates MOT updates and additions.
The MOT test has changed considerably from its 1960 inception. Health and Safety wasn’t as prevalent then as it is now, in 2024, and a lot of electronic updates and inventions hadn’t been implemented in the cars just yet. A good example is that windscreens were obviously in effect during the 60’s, but it took until the 90’s to see them added to the MOT, which was an initial oversight that had been left for 30 years.
As time goes on, and more individuals ascertain their driving license, which adds more people to the roads, it’s important to ensure all cars and vehicles are in drivable condition, to mitigate any breakdowns, or accidents.
Has the MOT Changed for the Better?
A modern day MOT takes about 45-minutes. Compared to the 1960 version, where only brakes, lights and steering were looked at, the time has naturally increased with the inclusion of more testing measures. Whilst the time has increased, so have the safety measures and checks, bettering the MOT and including more comprehensive safety checks that far surpass what was included in 1960.
Whilst it’s difficult to predict if anything else will change in relation to the UK Ministry of Transport Test, it’s prudent to look at the evolution of current vehicles. Physical manufacturing changes usually herald the changing of UK law, and subsequently, additions to the MOT, which was evident with the addition of seat-belts, despite this taking some years to put into place.
With more electric and hybrid vehicles on the road than ever, in 2024, it’s a safe prediction when it comes to guessing that more laws regarding charging stations, electric batteries, and hybrid vehicles will come to fruition over the next decade or two.
What do you think will come to pass in the next MOT overhaul? Let us know in the comments below.
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