• New Cars
    • First Impressions
    • Road Tests
  • Classics
    • Classic Profiles
    • Classic Driving Impressions
    • Classics Information
    • Events and Days Out
  • Motoring For Fun
  • News & Views
  • Bookshelf
  • Technical
    • Grumpy Old Mechanic
    • Kim’s Tips
  • Features
    • Visits
    • Track Days
  • Contributors
    • About our contributors
    • Kim Henson
    • Chris Adamson
    • Kieron Fennelly
    • Ant Henson
    • Rachel Henson
    • David Miles
    • Gerald Morgan
    • Dave Moss
    • Dave Randle
    • Robin Roberts
    • Tom Scanlan
    • Glen Smale
    • Keith Ward
    • John Price Williams
  • More…
    • About Wheels Alive
    • Tips for using this website
    • Useful Links
  • A-Z

Wheels Alive

Old cars, new cars, borrowed cars & blue cars. If it steers it's here!

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Calls for MoT Test changes to incorporate aspects of electric, hybrid and high-tech. modern vehicles

Author/Source: Robin Roberts

12th February 2021

The all-electric Nissan LEAF has been available for several years now. There are calls for MoT tests of the future to cover aspects unique to electric and hybrid models.

Robin Roberts writes:

The MoT test may need a radical shakeup to reflect the arrival of electric power and very sophisticated technology fitted to the latest vehicles.
That’s the view of KwikFit, which tests about a million vehicles annually, and head of their service Eric Smith.

He points out that currently hybrid models and battery electric vehicles are not tested for emissions and these and other cars have features such as automatic braking and collision avoidance systems.

It asked drivers what they believed should be included as the MoT evolves over coming years and there are a few surprises.

Most controversially the drivers suggested the source of electricity used to charge vehicles should be included, but this creates massive data, audit and reporting implications to ensure the generation of electricity is tracked and recorded for a future MoT.

The efficiency of batteries as they deteriorate is also a possible test to be covered as some systems put a greater demand on cheaper traction batteries and they effectively expire and need recycling sooner than others. He said, “This research does highlight that millions of drivers believe there should be a way of testing overall emissions for vehicles using electricity. “It’s worth remembering that currently hybrid vehicles are not tested for emissions in the MOT, even though they still run on petrol or diesel for some of the time, so perhaps the first change to make should be to include emissions testing for hybrids.”

Looking further under the bonnet into computer controls, 52% of drivers thought emergency braking systems should be tested annually while a third want radar and camera systems used for cruise settings to be added and just a few less want lane assist technology examined.

Roughly a quarter have complained about start stop technology, parking sensors and rear view cameras which may give rise to issues.

Save Post as PDF

Categories: Maintenance, News & Views, Robin Roberts, Technical Tags: Electric Cars, hybids, modern high tech. vehicles

Tip: For improved search accuracy, enclose search terms for multiple words in quotation marks. For example:
"Land Rover".

Advertise with us
A-ZPlease visit the A-Z page for listings by make, model, year etc. and an advanced search form.

Recent Posts

Latest Citroën C3 – Road Test

Aston Martin’s St Athan plant will be vital in the company’s future

Bargain Basement Bimmer – Part One of a three part series about enjoying a modern classic Z3

Classic Clubs Series – No. 4 – The MG Owners Club

Ford Focus mild hybrid – Road Test

Fiat 500X Sport SUV – Road Test

New Suzuki Swace – Road Test

Motor Ombudsman poll reveals car buying at showrooms remains firmly in the driving seat

Contributors

contributors

Our well-respected contributors live and breathe motor cars; aren’t we lucky?

Contributors to the site include talented, highly-respected people (so they tell me) on the hallowed membership list of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and from the similarly well thought-of Western Group of Motoring Writers. In addition there are valued contributions from other knowledgeable and capable motoring writers who have something useful to say about all aspects of driving and running vehicles in the 21st Century. All of our team are passionate about motor cars!


Read about our contributors  ››

Popular Tags

4WD SUV 4x4 4x4 SUV Audi Austin Beaulieu BMW Book review British Motor Museum City car Compact SUV Convertible Coupé crossover Electric Electric Cars electric vehicle estate Estate car five door estate five door hatchback Ford four door saloon hatchback Honda hot hatchback Hybrid Hybrid SUV Kia large SUV luxury SUV Mazda MG mid-size SUV Mini Mitsubishi MPV news News round-up Nissan People carrier PHEV Pick-up plug-in hybrid saloon seven seater MPV Seven seater SUV Skoda sports sports car Sports saloon sporty hatchback St. Athan Supermini SUV Suzuki The Motor Ombudsman three door hatchback Tyres Volkswagen
All Tags ››

Wheels Alive Social

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Like us on Facebook

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

Contact us

We welcome your questions, comments and feedback. Please click here to contact us.

Advertising Opportunities

Please contact us if you would like to discuss advertising opportunities on Wheels Alive.

Please share our website

Copyright © 2021 Kim Henson, Wheels Alive