A record number of vehicles failed their MOT last year, because of faults relating to exhaust emissions.

Statistics shows that almost 1.3 million vehicles failed their MOT on emissions in the last two years. Overall failures in 2020 were up by more than 70% compared to 2017/18. The governments stricter emissions regulations in May 2018 is largely responsible for the increase in diesel vehicles failing new tests –  failures up 240% compared with just 37% for petrol.

BookMyGarage.com, said: “The regulations have mostly impacted diesel cars, causing more than triple the number to fail….Since the Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal in 2015, diesel cars have earned a bad reputation for producing harmful exhaust emissions. That’s not to say all diesels are bad. The latest diesel cars are equipped with emissions control systems such as particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction (AdBlue) to reduce or eliminate harmful emissions.”

BookMyGarage.com says the large increase in diesel failures is primarily down to DPF issues. Diesel particulate filter’s became standard on diesel vehicles in 2009. But if there is evidence it has been tampered, it is not functioning correctly and/or smoke can be seen coming from the exhaust, it will fail an MOT.

The market share of diesel cars has changed in recent years – it currently accounts for just 16% of new car sales, compared to 50% five years ago.

MOT Failures in the past year

Financial Year

Diesel

Petrol

Total

2015-2016

118,302

748,465

868,115

2016-2017

122,838

690,247

814,684

2017-2018

123,596

620,247

745,308

2018-2019*

397,991

910,620

1,311,841

2019-2020

420,537

849,740

1,273,771

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

source: DVSA

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About Excalibre Technologies

Founded in 2007, Excalibre Technologies was born with the intention of offering high quality commercial vehicle emission control products and services at a competitive price with customer service at the heart of our operation. Since then Excalibre has grown to become a leading supplier of retrofit solutions and DPF cleaning services in the UK.

We work with several national organisations to help achieve their ecological targets of lowering emissions and ensuring their vehicles are maintained to a high standard using internationally recognised practises and equipment supported by OEMs. We can also supply most aftermarket silencers and catalytic converters.

If we can help you with your emission control requirements, please contact us on 01594 887414 or sales@excalibretech.com.