Have a read of this about "Bodywork" in the MOT test. Particularly section 6.2.1. Copied from the official MOT Inspection Manual of 20th. May 2018, updated in August 26th. 2021. Free to download or read here.
Structure and attachments (including exhaust system and bumpers), and body and interior (including doors and catches, seats and floor) rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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6. Body, structure and attachments
Structure and attachments (including exhaust system and bumpers), and body and interior (including doors and catches, seats and floor) rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.
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6.1. Structure and attachments,Hidethis section
In this section
6.1.1. General condition
This sub-section covers the condition of the general structure but does not include prescribed areas. These are checked under sections 1 (brakes), 2 (steering), 5 (axles, wheels, tyres and suspension) and 7 (other equipment).
You can find guidance on assessing corrosion in Appendix A of this manual.
| Defect | Category |
|---|
(a) A main load-bearing structural member:
(i) fractured or deformed such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced
(ii) fractured or deformed such that steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected |
Major
Dangerous |
(b) Strengthening plates or fastenings:
(i) insecure
(ii) so insecure that structural rigidity is seriously reduced |
Major
Dangerous |
(c) Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that:
(i) the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
(ii) steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected |
Major
Dangerous |
(d) A main load-bearing structural member modified or inadequately repaired such that:
(i) the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
(ii) steering or braking is likely to be adversely affected |
Major
Dangerous |
6.1.2. Exhaust system
You must check the exhaust system of all vehicles with an internal combustion engine, including hybrid vehicles. You need to assess the overall security of the exhaust system. One or more missing or defective exhaust mountings does not necessarily make the exhaust insecure.
For exhaust noise assessment, see
Section 8.1.1.
For assessment of catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters, see
Section 8.2.
| Defect | Category |
|---|
| (a) Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure | Major |
(b) Exhaust fumes:
(i) entering cabin
(ii) causing a danger to health of persons on board |
Major
Dangerous |
6.1.3. Fuel system
You must check the fuel system on all vehicles with internal combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells.
You might need to open the luggage compartment to carry out a full inspection of the fuel system.
If a fuel tank has a hole or the filler neck is split and fuel can leak from it, you must fail it for leaking even if the hole or split is above the fuel line.
If you cannot get access to the fuel filler cap, see item
4g in the Introduction.
To check for leaks on gas powered vehicles, use a leak detection product conforming to the standard BS EN 14291-2004. You must follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using leak detection products.
Only fail a vehicle for missing heat shields if there’s a risk of fire with other fuel system components.
| Defect | Category |
|---|
(a) Fuel tank, pipe or hose:
(i) insecure
(ii) insecure such that there is a risk of fire |
Major
Dangerous |
(b) Fuel system:
(i) leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
(ii) leaking excessively or a risk of fire |
Major
Dangerous |
(c) Fuel pipe or hose:
(i) chafing
(ii) damaged |
Minor
Major |
| (d) Not in use | |
| (e) Fire risk due to fuel tank shield or exhaust shield missing where fitted as original equipment | Dangerous |
| (f) Any part of an LPG/CNG/LNG or hydrogen system defective | Dangerous |
6.1.4. Bumpers
| Defect | Category |
|---|
(a) Bumper:
(i) insecure or with damage likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted
(ii) likely to become detached |
Major
Dangerous |
6.1.5. Spare wheel carrier (if fitted)
This inspection is only for externally-mounted spare wheel carriers.
| Defect | Category |
|---|
| (a) A spare wheel carrier fractured or insecure | Major |
(b) A spare wheel:
(i) insecure in carrier
(ii) likely to become detached |
Major
Dangerous |
6.1.6. Coupling mechanisms and towing equipment
You must inspect all types of coupling mechanisms and towbars fitted to the rear of a vehicle, including fifth-wheel couplings.
You must also inspect the vehicle structure within 30cm of any towbar mounting point and assess its strength and continuity.
Towbar mounting points are not prescribed areas and the vehicle structure should only be rejected if its strength or continuity is significantly reduced.
You do not need to inspect emergency towing eyes.
You must remove tow ball covers to inspect the tow ball.
If coupling mechanisms are behind access panels in the bumper, bodywork or removable panel, you must remove them to inspect the coupling mechanism unless tools are needed to do this.
When checking coupling mechanisms, you may also need to check inside the luggage compartment and lift loose fitting mats or carpet.
You must test retractable towbars in their ‘in-use’ position. However, if you need tools to do this, you do not need to do it.
If a tow ball or pin is not fitted at the time of test - because it’s detachable, it’s been unbolted or otherwise removed - but the attachment brackets are still in place, the brackets should still be assessed unless they have been deliberately rendered unfit for further use.
There might be movement (‘play’) in some detachable tow balls between the receiver socket and the tapered swan neck fitting, with up to 3mm movement measured at the ball end.
You must reject:
- pins, jaws or hooks that have worn by more than 25% of their original thickness
- pin locating holes that have been worn or elongated by more than 25% of their original diameter
- tow balls that are obviously excessively worn
Many ‘bolt-on’ type tow balls have accessory devices between the tow ball and its mounting flange. You should only reject these if their fitment is clearly likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle and its trailer.
| Defect | Category |
|---|
| (a) A towbar component damaged, defective, fractured or corroded | Major |
(b) A towbar component:
(i) excessively worn
(ii) so worn it is likely to fail |
Major
Dangerous |
(c) A towbar attachment:
(i) defective or insecure
(ii) likely to become detached |
Major
Dangerous |
| (d) A towbar safety device damaged or not operating correctly | Major |
| (e) A towbar coupling indicator not working | Major |
(f) Towbar:
(i) obstructing the registration plate or any lamp
(ii) obstructing the registration plate so that it is unreadable |
Minor
Major |
(g) Unsafe modification:
(i) to towbar secondary components
(ii) to towbar primary components |
Major
Dangerous |
| (h) Coupling too weak | Major |
(i) The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any towbar mounting bracket:
(i) is significantly reduced
(ii) is so weakened that the towbar is likely to become detached |
Major
Dangerous |
6.1.7. Transmission
You must inspect all:
- prop shafts
- drive shafts
- prop shaft and drive shaft couplings and bearings
- drive chains or belts
Class 3 vehicles do not need to be inspected for this.
| Defect | Category |
|---|
(a) A transmission shaft:
(i) securing bolts loose or missing
(ii) likely to become detached |
Major
Dangerous |
(b) A transmission shaft bearing:
(i) excessively worn
(ii) likely to break up |
Major
Dangerous |
(c) A transmission:
(i) joint, belt or chain excessively worn
(ii) so worn it is likely to fail |
Major
Dangerous |
(d) A transmission shaft flexible coupling:
(i) excessively deteriorated
(ii) so deteriorated it is likely to fail |
Major
Dangerous |
| (e) A transmission shaft bent or badly damaged | Major |
(f) A transmission shaft bearing housing:
(i) fractured or insecure
(ii) likely to fail |
Major
Dangerous |
(g) A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot:
(i) severely deteriorated
(ii) missing, split or insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Minor
Major |
6.2.1. Body condition
This inspection is for all vehicles and includes:
- all body panels
- undertrays
- spoilers
- mirror housings
For inspecting bumpers, see
Section 6.1.4.
A ‘body pillar’ applies only to the load carrying area of a goods vehicle.
An unsafe modification is one that is likely to cause injury.
| Defect | Category |
|---|
(a) A body panel or body component:
(i) damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted, or insecure
(ii) likely to become detached |
Major
Dangerous |
(b) A body pillar:
(i) insecure
(ii) so insecure that load stability or security likely to be seriously impaired |
Major
Dangerous |
(c) The passenger compartment in such a condition that:
(i) it permits the entry of exhaust fumes
(ii) exhaust fumes lead to a danger to health of persons on board |
Major
Dangerous |
(d) Body:
(i) has an unsafe modification
(ii) modification likely to adversely affect braking or steering |
Major
Dangerous |
| (e) A bootlid, tailgate, dropside, loading door or access panel cannot be secured in the closed position | Major |
6.2.2. Cab and body mounting
You only need to inspect vehicles with a separate body and/or cab. Class 3 vehicles do not need to be inspected for cabs and cab mountings.
You should assess for corrosion within 30cm of the mountings of the body or cab and its chassis.
Cab/body mountings are not prescribed areas and you should only reject the body or cab if its overall security is significantly reduced.
Tony.
