EU wanted 'safety'
tests on parts
An attempt to include checks specifically on
non-OE components fitted to vehicles as part of the MOT has been blocked by
aftermarket industry bodies and lobbying groups.
For full report click this link.
The explanation given was: “In case of non-OEM replacement parts or after-sales parts, that largely
deviate from the original parts, their impact on the safe use of the vehicle
has to be carefully assessed by the inspector. A downgrading of the level of
safety of the vehicle shall not be acceptable.”
Who are these unelected people making decisions
that can affect so many livelihoods.
I think that this is a typical case of desk
based personnel who has never carried out an MOT in their life putting forward
rulings without actually thinking them through. For example you can buy a
suspension lowering kit from a main dealer and you can also purchase an
equivalent kit from an aftermarket source. They both ‘largely deviate from the original parts’ but is it the quality of
part that is in question or the fact that the vehicle has been modified? With
some vehicles you can purchase the same vehicle with lowered sports suspension
from new. How is an MOT tester going to know if a vehicle was lowered from new
or afterwards? Unless every part that is replaced has a genuine stamp or
reference somewhere visible on it you could never tell. An MOT tester will have
to constantly be covering their backside and passing and advising on everything
that looks like it has been replaced on a vehicle.
Very few motor manufacturers make all their own
parts they rely on outside companies to produce parts for them. On many
occasions these are the same companies that produce an equivalent part for the
aftermarket.
What these unelected people do not realize is
that an MOT test is no more than a basic safety check. MOT testing in our
country is robust enough to highlight any safety issues a car may have at the
time of test without adding to it. The longer the MOT test takes to conduct the
more it will cost. Who will pay for this extra time required? You guessed it,
the motorist.
This is a ridiculous ruling rightly thrown out,
albeit the lobbyers used the ‘discriminatory’ card. Do these unelected people
have links with the main dealerships by any chance or am I being paranoid and
think that they are just out to get me?
