Issue 290 - TAXI Newspaper

More readers than the rest put together! 3 APRIL 2013 | TAXI 21
NEWS
MoT tests toughen up
Motoring
The new stricter MoT tests could see
thousands of motorists failing
because of defective warning lights
and faulty car seats, according to
the AA.
Changes to the test came into
force last week and are designed to
bring Britain into line with the rest
of the EU and reflect the increasing
sophistication of modern cars.
But the AA’s patrolman of the
year, Andy Smith, fears it could see
motorists footing hefty bills to get
their vehicles to comply.
He said: “If you’ve been happily
ignoring a warning light because it’s
not part of the MOT, these changes
mean your car could now be on the
MOT scrap heap or you’ll need to fork
out on expensive repairs.
“While it could
have expensive
consequences for
someone running an
old car on a tight
budget, these changes
are long overdue as
airbags, for example, have
been widely fitted since the mid-90s.
Other key changes will include
testing whether an array of
dashboard lights are working
properly, including seat belts, brake
fluid and headlights.
Tyre pressure monitoring systems,
which became compulsory on all
new cars from January 2012, will
also be checked.
Car seats must be able to move
forward and backwards, to ensure
that drivers can reach the pedals.
The electric motor fitted to
many seats in modern cars will
also be checked
separately.
Car doors
will have to open and close
properly. The warning light, which
shows whether the doors are fully
shut, will also be checked.
Other additional items subject to
the tougher testing regime include
airbags, electronic stability controls,
the speedometer and the catalytic
converter.
Mr Smith said: “It’s important that
these systems remain safe and effective
throughout the life of the vehicle.
“A typical modern car has 40 or more
computers and a level of technical
sophistication a world away from that
seen in the early 1990s when the MOT
test last underwent a major revision.
These changes are important and help
bring the MOT test in line with 21st
century car technology.”
The testing interval will remain
unchanged with the Government
resisting EU proposals to delay the
first inspection by 12 month
to four years after the first
registration.
Subsequent inspections will
take place every year rather
than after 24 months, as takes
place in many other parts of the EU.
News in brief
Poetry in motion
Entries are pouring in for our
poetry competition but there is
still plenty of time before the
closing date.
The LTDA teamed up with
poet Veronica Gaylie in an effort
to find the cab trade’s own Byron
or Keates.
Each driver is limited to one
entry and it should be no more
than 10 lines. The first prize is
£150, second is £100 and third
gets £50. The deadline is April 30.
Veronica says: “Write as you
speak, it doesn’t have to be poetic
language, just tell a story.
“Who knows - the next People's
Poet could be out there driving
around London.”
Any subject is fair game but
avoid using real names or bad
language as we plan to publish
the best poems in TAXI.
Send the poem with your
name, badge number, and contact
details to: London Cab Driver
Poetry Contest, TAXI, Woodfield
Road, London, W9 2BA, by April
30. www.londoncabpoetry.com