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Significant Changes to MOT’s Could Have A Major Impact On Diesel Cars

Diesel Cars

It’s been a worrying year for diesel car owners in the UK. If anything, rather than worrying, frustrating is perhaps a better word. After nearly 20 years of the UK government begging us to buy diesel cars, those of us that did have suddenly turned in to pariahs.

Suddenly, we’re polluting cities, damaging and environment and quite possibly eating our children if some of the more extreme opinions are given attention.

Proposed Changes to MOT

Despite us diesel owners looking at higher taxes and even potential exclusive charges to take our car into city centers, it seems that the MOT test might also change in order to affect us.

Part of the changes, which will not necessarily affect us demonic car owners will see an extra category added to MOT tests. In addition to minor and dangerous, major faults will also be added which will account for a fail. A definition of a major fault would be a leak noted as dripping during the test. This would, under current guidelines, be classed a minor.

Specific changes to diesel cars

In brief, there are 3 major key points in the report via Yahoo which will specifically affect diesel car owners.

Firstly, emissions. Proposals have been suggested to make this far more stringent. A matter which is already of some difficulty to older diesel owners.

Secondly, EGR and emission bypassing. It is not uncommon for diesel owners to bypass the EGR system on their car. This system specifically directs exhaust fumes through the engine in an attempt to burn off nitrous oxide (the stuff which makes diesel emissions so nasty).

Many owners choose to bypass this to save engine wear and improve the economy. The changes proposed, however, would require any bypass to have a legitimate reason and without one, the system would need to be re-instated to pass.

Finally, emissions again. In a nutshell, if your diesel car, while idling, produces any visible smoke, that may result in an automatic fail.

Is this fair for diesel owners?

Personally, I think not. As above, the UK government spent years trying to get us to buy diesel cars and now we have them, they suddenly don’t want them anymore.

Presumably, the gasoline supply is sufficient to account for a mass change over given the veracity in which diesel is being pursued.

For owners of older diesel vehicles or commercial cars/vans, this isn’t good news.

At present, there are only 2 positives. Firstly this is only a proposal, thank goodness. Secondly, it might make the government introduce a scrappage scheme to at least get the really old diesel cars off the road.

What do you think? Are the proposed changes fair? Should we be switching from diesel? Would a scrappage scheme help? – Let us know in the comments!

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