Month: November 2017

The MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is a series of checks that has to be carried out once a year on all vehicles that are driven in public places.

Currently, it only applies to cars over three years of age, although the government is planning to extend this to four years. Cars that are more than 40-years-old will also be exempt under new rules.

These are the things you need to check if you want your car to pass its next MOT.

1. Body structure

Your car’s body must be free of serious damage or corrosion in order for it to be deemed safe – it’s not good if your car falls apart in the middle of the road! There mustn’t be any sharp edges either, as these could cause injury, especially in a collision.

2. Towbars

Towbars must be secure and in good condition, so that items being towed do not come loose and cause an accident. The towbar must not have been modified in any way. The 13-pin electrical socket must also be operational.

3. Fuel system

The mechanic carrying out your MOT will inspect your fuel system, ensuring that all pipes and hoses are secure and that there are no leaks – petrol or diesel pouring out of your vehicle can cause some very serious problems! Your car’s fuel cap will also be checked to see if it works as it should.

4. Emissions

Your car will have to meet a specific set of strict emissions rules. These vary from vehicle to vehicle, depending on factors such as age and fuel type. In some cases, MOT testers will refuse to test certain diesel vehicles if they believe the engine could be damaged in the process.

To prevent this from happening to you, you should make sure your diesel car is properly maintained, has the camshaft drive belt replaced regularly, the governor settings haven’t been tampered with and the engine is fully warmed up when it goes in for the MOT.

5. Exhaust system

The exhaust itself will be closely examined. The tester will make sure all components are present and working. They will especially make sure that the catalyst hasn’t been removed. The system must also meet limits on noise and leakage.

6. Safety equipment

In order to pass its MOT, your car will need to meet the law on safety equipment. All mandatory seatbelts must be fitted, in good condition and suitable for the vehicle. They must be operational and securely attached. The dashboard warning lights for safety equipment need to be operating correctly so you know when something’s wrong with your car. Three lights it is compulsory to have working are those for the air bags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and seatbelt load limiters.

7. Seats

It is mandatory for all seats to be securely fitted and the backs must be able to be fixed in an upright position. It is also compulsory for the driver’s seat to be fully adjustable.

8. Doors

When it comes to doors, the latch must be fitted securely. The front doors have to be able to open from both the inside and outside, while the back doors only have to open from the outside. All hinges and catches must be in good condition.

9. Mirrors

Your car will need to meet the minimum number of mirrors for its type. Usually, you are legally required to have one internal rear view mirror and one or two external wing mirrors.

10. Load security

So that your prized possessions don’t go flying out on to the road, your car’s boot needs to able to close properly and securely.

11. Brakes

Naturally, your car needs to be able to stop. The condition of the brakes will be checked, as well as whether they’ve had any poor repairs or modifications. An efficiency test will be carried out, followed by a test of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability program (ESP). Warning lights for ABS, ESP, the handbrake and brake fluid will also be tested.

12. Wheels and tyres

The condition of both the wheels and tyres will be thoroughly checked. The mechanic will ensure the wheels are attached securely, as well as ensuring the tyres’ size and tread depth are appropriate. This test does not include spare wheels and tyres.

13. Number plates

Part of the MOT involves an inspection of your car’s number plate. The tester will look at the condition of the plate and its colour, as well as making sure it has been correctly attached and the characters are correctly formed and spaced.

14. Headlights

The condition of the headlights will be checked, including the operation of both dipped and main beams, their aim and whether the main beam warning light works. If high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs are fitted, the compulsory self-levelling system and headlamp washers will also need to work.

15. Bonnet

The bonnet doesn’t escape scrutiny either. The mechanic will make sure that it closes securely – if it flies open while you’re driving along, you’ll certainly have a visibility problem on your hands!

16. Wipers and washers

The wipers and washers on the car’s windscreen – and rear window if applicable – will be checked, as they need to work properly for the driver to have a clear view of the road, especially in rainy conditions.

17. Windscreen

The car’s windscreen needs to be in good condition, allowing the driver to see what’s going on ahead of them, for the vehicle to be deemed safe.

18. Horn

Your car needs to have a fully working horn to pass. In addition, the horn has to be suitable for the vehicle it’s fitted to – preferably audible, but not deafening.

19. Steering and suspension

The condition of car’s steering and suspension will undergo a very close check to make sure everything works as it should. The power steering fluid level will be examined, while the tester will ensure there have been no inappropriate repairs or modifications. The mechanic will also look for corrosion in the power steering pipes or hoses. Finally, the steering lock mechanism will be tested.

20. Vehicle identification number

Cars from after August 1, 1980 have to display a vehicle identification number (VIN). This does not apply to multistage build vehicles, such as converted vans and the like.

21. Electrical

The final point on the list is the electrical system. Any visible electrical wiring will be checked, as will the battery. These need to be working correctly, as well as safely.

1: It’s quick

The Tesla truck is capable of achieving 0-60mph in a mere five seconds – that’s faster than a regular hot hatch, so a production lorry accelerating in this manner is completely unheard of. What’s more, it’ll still complete the sprint to 60mph in 20 seconds when it’s towing a 36-tonne trailer.

2: It’s made from unusual materials… for a truck

Aiding the incredible acceleration figures are the lightweight materials that have been used to build the Tesla truck. The cab is constructed entirely from carbon fibre, which is both extremely light and highly durable. With weight being an obvious hindrance to the performance of any lorry, this will undoubtedly be a game-changer.

3: It can go the distance

One of the biggest barriers in the way of a general uptake of electric vehicles is range anxiety. Of course, if people driving ordinary cars on everyday journeys are worried about how far they can go before having to recharge, then that’s going to be a huge concern for lorry drivers. Fortunately, Tesla has thought of this, claiming that its new lorry can go 500 miles on a single charge.

4: It has an almost unique driving position

It’s not often that one can compare the qualities of the iconic McLaren F1 hypercar with that of a lorry, but in this case, we can. The Tesla truck features a central driving position, just like the 240mph British barnstormer from the 1990s. It will be interesting to see if this makes the lives of lorry drivers any easier with regards to visibility.

5: It’s filled with cutting-edge tech

As you would expect from a Tesla, the American manufacturer’s new lorry comes brimming with the latest technology. The most prominent is the autonomous driving capability, which prevents the truck from jack-knifing with its own trailer. There’s also a semi-autonomous braking feature, which will prove especially useful for lorry drivers who are becoming tired towards the end of a long drive.

6: There’s some unusual safety precautions

The Tesla truck’s windscreen is made from a special impact resistance glass. This will protect the driver in the event of a collision, as well as shielding them from any explosions should the worst happen when a flammable substance is being transported.

7: Recharging is faster than you might expect

According to Tesla, lorry drivers needn’t worry when their 500 miles range runs out. At one of the company’s super-fast charging points, 400 miles of range can be added on to the vehicle in just 30 minutes. It may not be as quick as a stop at the fuel pump, but chances are that after 500 miles of driving, the trucker will need a half hour rest break.

8: They’re being snapped up already

It looks as though this new lorry could be just the boost that Tesla needs, with companies already placing orders. According to a Bloomberg report, Meijer, a grocery store chain based in Michigan, USA, has put deposits down on four of the lorries, at a rate of $5,000 (approx. £3,770) each. This is because the company sees electricity as a cheaper means of fuelling its vehicles than diesel.

Manufacturers across the world have been busy revealing their electric and hybrid cars of the future.

Motor shows throughout 2017 have been dominated by alternatively fuelled vehicles and with the year coming to a close, we’ve picked 10 you need to know about.

BMW i3s

German manufacturer BMW has been onto a winner with its halo i8 sports car, and will be looking to capitalise on its success with a freshly tweaked i3. As well as revealing a new look for the standard model and range extender version, the manufacturer uncovered a tuned version, the i3s, which boasts 181bhp, new lower suspension and sportier looks.

The refined electric hatch will hit 60mph 6.7 seconds — just 0.4 seconds quicker than the standard model with a top speed improved by 6mph, now up to 99mph. Prices are up £1,000 across the range, starting from £34,070.

Mercedes EQA

The EQA Concept signals the start of Mercedes’ electric car onslaught and is one of ten electric cars the Stuttgart-based outfit plans to have on sale by 2022. The EQA is predicted to be the biggest seller in the Mercedes EQ electric line-up, with an expected price tag of less than £36,000 when it goes on sale in 2020.

The EQA will have a range of around 250 miles, will produce more than 268bhp and 500Nm of torque.

Honda CR-V Hybrid

With the exception of its NSX supercar, there has been a noticeable lack of hybrid models in the Honda range of late. That’s about to change, though, with the introduction of a hybrid CR-V, the first volume electrified model from the Japanese firm since the Jazz Hybrid in 2011.

Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the CR-V features a 2.0-litre iVTEC petrol engine and two electric motors – one powers the front wheels while the second can recharge the batteries.

The car works out itself how to use fuel and electric energy the most efficiently and switches between EV, hybrid and engine drive when needed. It is due to arrive in late 2018.

Smart Vision EQ

Since it was first introduced in 1998, Smart’s two-seater models have become a staple commuter choice in clogged up cities thanks to compact dimensions and a brilliant turning circle. Now, city-goers of the future will be able to look forward to a fully autonomous option with zero emissions — should Smart give its Vision EQ concept the green light.

The German manufacturer reckons most members of the public will share ownership of cars by 2030, rather than own them, and is heavily investing in its Car2Go programme to prepare itself for this future.

Mini Electric

Built in Britain and guaranteeing 4,500 jobs at the firm’s Oxford plant, the Mini Electric is BMW Group’s gamble on an emissions-free future. Few details of what lies underneath the iconic Mini body work have been revealed, but expect it to share much of the technology from the BMW i3. That car has around 180 miles of range.

While the details may be sketchy, the design you see here is likely to be very close to the production model slated to arrive in 2019.

Volkswagen ID Crozz

This is Volkswagen’s crossover (Crozz, get it?) electric car concept that’s set to spearhead the maker’s foray into EVs. The high-riding SUV-style car will be just one of 23 all-electric vehicles arriving from the VW Group by 2025 as it invests £5.4bn in alternatively fuelled cars.

This concept apparently produces 302bhp and is claimed to have a range of 311 miles. Scheduled to arrive in 2020, it can be charged to 80 per cent in 30 minutes using a fast charger.

Mercedes-AMG Project One

Worried the future of electrified cars will be boring? Think again!

This is the Mercedes-AMG Project One, which features the same drivetrain used in the firm’s Formula 1 championship-dominating cars. It produces 992bhp, has a top speed of 217mph and can hit 124mph in just six seconds.

Four electric motors give the plug-in hypercar four-wheel-drive and an electric range of 16 miles. However, much like the Porsche 918 and McLaren P1 that went before it, most of the electric power will be used to boost performance. All this comes at a price – £2m at current exchange rates. Before you rush for your cheque book, though, calm the excitement – they’re all sold out.

Nissan Leaf

It was the car that arguably took EVs mainstream – now, as the rest of the motoring industry unveils its EV future, Nissan is busy taking the wraps off its second-generation Leaf. Unveiled in Japan in October, the new Leaf will feature ProPilot autonomous tech which can drive the car in single-lane traffic and park for you.

Built at the Japanese firm’s UK factory in Sunderland, the new car features a fresh look and a range of 235 miles. That’s 111 miles more than the 24kW base version of the outgoing car and beats the current top-of-the-range 30kW model by 80 miles.

Jaguar E-Type Zero

Meet the most beautiful electric car yet to be made – the Jaguar E-Type Zero.

It’s based on an original chassis built in the 1960s, but rather than a straight-six engine and barebones technology, it features an electric motor, a smart infotainment system and LED headlights.

Sacrilege, you may cry. But do bear in mind it’s faster than the original too, with a 0-60mph time of just 5.3 seconds, all while boasting an impressive real-world range of 170 miles. Still too much? Well, Jaguar says the electric components have been built to fit exactly where the original internals did, meaning it can be reverted to its usual spec at any time.

The Coventry-based firm is said to be currently investigating ways to bring the model to market.

BMW i Vision Dynamics

BMW has released an electric saloon concept which previews a forthcoming i5 saloon – which would sit neatly between the i3 hatch and i8 sports car. The i Vision Dynamics is a four-door concept, with a body style similar to its Gran Coupe model.

BMW claims it has a range of 373 miles, a top speed of over 120mph and a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds.

By 2025, the German manufacturer will have electrified 25 models in its range, 12 of these being fully electric. The i5 is expected to reach showrooms by 2021.