Manx Mot

[dangerous]

Does anybody know why we dont have an M O T on the Isle of Man seems to be a lot of old cars roaming the streets?

[Amadeus]

Cause we don't need it.

 

Only that a car is old doesn't mean it's knackered and the efforts required to bring in MOTs stands in no relation to the benefit it would bring.

[jim]

we had a D O T once, now we have a D O I, having an M O T as well would be pointles duplication of bureaucracy

[guzzi]

Non Manx people are shocked when I tell them this, it seems to be a complete anomaly. On a practical level, does anyone know what would happen if you were stopped driving your Manx registered vehicle in a country that requires an annual roadworthiness test, and you did not possess a certificate? I often wonder how I would explain this one to the Guardia Civil!

[Wing of the Nut]

Cause we don't need it.

 

Only that a car is old doesn't mean it's knackered and the efforts required to bring in MOTs stands in no relation to the benefit it would bring.

 

"Cause we don't need it" Are you one of the simpletons that regularly drive around the island in cars that would have been taken off the road in the UK. There is a dire need for a regular MOT for vehicles on the island

[Addie]

I don't know the facts, but I strongly suspect that very few accidents are down to vehicle failure.

[Moghrey Mie]

Cause we don't need it.

 

Only that a car is old doesn't mean it's knackered and the efforts required to bring in MOTs stands in no relation to the benefit it would bring.

 

"Cause we don't need it" Are you one of the simpletons that regularly drive around the island in cars that would have been taken off the road in the UK. There is a dire need for a regular MOT for vehicles on the island

 

 

Agreed. Non-functioning rear lights are only one sign of many faulty vehicles on the road over here. Most people don't know what goes on under the bonnet and don't have their cars serviced regularly.

They would not know what depth of tread they have got on their tyres.

 

Presumably once you get off the ferry you should have an MOT certificate to go on the roads in England.

[Stu Peters]

The sooner we introduce recurrent vehicle and driver testing, the better IMHO. Whilst the MOT vehicle test may have been a bit of a racket in the UK (test centres/garages creating unnecessary work), we could avoid that by having dedicated licensed test centres around the island, creating jobs, putting money into Treasury and getting rid of some of the wrecks which (amongst other things) leak diesel all over the roads.

 

And driver 'basic proficiency' testing at 50, 60, 70, 75 and every two years thereafter to remove anyone without the physical and/or mental acuity to drive safely on Manx roads.

[IOMRS97]

Cause we don't need it.

 

Only that a car is old doesn't mean it's knackered and the efforts required to bring in MOTs stands in no relation to the benefit it would bring.

 

"Cause we don't need it" Are you one of the simpletons that regularly drive around the island in cars that would have been taken off the road in the UK. There is a dire need for a regular MOT for vehicles on the island

 

 

Agreed. Non-functioning rear lights are only one sign of many faulty vehicles on the road over here. Most people don't know what goes on under the bonnet and don't have their cars serviced regularly.

They would not know what depth of tread they have got on their tyres.

 

Presumably once you get off the ferry you should have an MOT certificate to go on the roads in England.

The rules on MOTs are those applied in the country of origin. Therefore, if you don't need one in the IOM, you don't need one when travelling elsewhere. From my experience, although there are many vehicles on the road that would not pass an MOT, there are very few accidents caused by vehicle faults. Poor tyres etc sometimes contribute to an accident but are rarely the sole cause. Of course, the police, and DOI vehicle examiners can check any vehicle on the road and a prosecution may result if defects are found. For the most part, the basics are easily checked by drivers - you don't need to be an auto engineer to see that your tyres are worn, lights not working, steering becoming slack or brakes not very efficient. A regular service should not be omitted, however, as this will usually spot developing problems. As to whether we need an MOT on the island - well, apart from anything else, the DOI couldn't implement it due to lack of sufficient premises and examiners. To farm out MOTs to garages as they do in the UK would be a mistake as UK MOTs are worthless. Many imported vehicles with current and recent MOTs are found to be defective when examined by our DOI examiners.

[IOMRS97]

The sooner we introduce recurrent vehicle and driver testing, the better IMHO. Whilst the MOT vehicle test may have been a bit of a racket in the UK (test centres/garages creating unnecessary work), we could avoid that by having dedicated licensed test centres around the island, creating jobs, putting money into Treasury and getting rid of some of the wrecks which (amongst other things) leak diesel all over the roads.

 

And driver 'basic proficiency' testing at 50, 60, 70, 75 and every two years thereafter to remove anyone without the physical and/or mental acuity to drive safely on Manx roads.

I agree Stu - perhaps at five yearly intervals to start with (at 50). That would ease traffic congestion on the island at a stroke as many would be unable to pass even a basic test. I might add that I would be one of those subject to re-testing but, as with the MOT issue, there isn't the capacity to operate this system and it would require a massive cash investment to do it without huge waiting lists.

[Tempus Fugit]

just because UK has dreamt up something doesn't mean we have to follow like sheep

 

why don't we have riots ?, they have them in UK

[Amadeus]

Cause we don't need it.

 

Only that a car is old doesn't mean it's knackered and the efforts required to bring in MOTs stands in no relation to the benefit it would bring.

 

"Cause we don't need it" Are you one of the simpletons that regularly drive around the island in cars that would have been taken off the road in the UK. There is a dire need for a regular MOT for vehicles on the island

No. It is based on discussions had during the anti speed limit debate a few years ago. What Addie said was pretty much confirmed to me straight from the horses' mouth: very few accidents are down to mechanical failure and bringing in an MOT, an idea I was initially in favour of, would not have sufficient benefits to justify the huge effort required to do it. For starters, you would have to test 80.000+ vehicles already on the island - I doubt we have the resources or budgets to set this up and do it any time in the future.

 

Apart from this, the police have the right to stop you and deal with any issues related to roadworthiness anyway.

[BigDave]

Many imported vehicles with current and recent MOTs are found to be defective when examined by our DOI examiners.

The manx test is a load of shite though. The "faults" they find in a lot of cases aren't real fults, just nitpicking. Like brake discs that are excessively worn (one of their favourites) and yest still well within manufacturers tolerances. They don't even measure them, just look and go, "ooh, they look a bit worn". Some say this might be a good thing as being a bit more strict eliminates more potential faults, but I wonder if they fail to check wearing parts with any degree of accuracy what are they missing?

 

Presumably once you get off the ferry you should have an MOT certificate to go on the roads in England.

 

Nope. Country of origin rules apply with regard to a current MOT certificate, however VOSA do spot checks that might catch you out and a copper spotting an obvious fault like a brake light and having a closer look at the car might land you in hot water.

[spook]

Of course there should be an annual vehicle test. To suggest otherwise is beyond belief.

[Cambon]

MOTs don't really help. It does not prevent lights from blowing, tyres and brakes from wearing, etc. It does, however, pick up issues like worn steering or suspension, But, so does an annual service.

 

The system used here (and in Jersey, Guernsey) of road checks and heavy fines are a far more effective way of dealing with the problem - and drunk driving at the same time,

 

From what I have read, defective vehicles do not contribute massively to the number of crashes over here, so any government investment in MOTs would be about as useful and welcome as another runway extention or Richmond Hill. Totally pointless.