A tyre industry body says UK motorists are being caught out by changes to the MOT criteria which came into effect at the start of this year.
Since 1 January this year a faulty Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), now a mandatory feature of new cars, has been an MOT failure item.
Stuart Jackson, Chiarman of TyreSafe said: “Although TPMS technology has been around for decades, its inclusion in new model vehicles has only been mandated in Europe since 2012 and on all new cars since 2014. This led to a gradual introduction into the market over a period of years and with little or no fanfare to help educate motorists. Our members have been telling us that they’re encountering a lot of customers who either aren’t aware of how these systems work, or just see them as an expensive luxury rather than the crucial safety feature they are.”
The organisation is calling on motorists to have their TPMS properly serviced, as although the sensors are designed to last for many years and miles the internal battery will eventually need replacing, and will result in an MOT failure if the system is not working. Weather damage, corrosion, or accidental damage when changing tyres are also common causes of TPMS failure, and many manufacturers recommend precautions such as replacing the valve caps and core components when new tyres are fitted. TPMS sensors may require reprogramming using specialist diagnostic equipment when new tyres are fitted, and if they are not, or if the sensor is removed, this will also result in MOT failure.
TyreSafe advises motorists to not only take adequate care of their TPMS, but also not to become over-reliant on the new technology. Regular manual safety checks, checking your tyre pressures at least once a month or before long journeys using an accurate and reliable pressure gauge, and checking tyres for damage or tread wear, remain an essential component of safe motoring.
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