Electric Cars and the MOT Test

Electric Cars and the MOT Test

Electric Cars Are Changing the UK Garage Trade – But Independent Garages Aren’t Going Anywhere

There is no getting away from it now.

Electric cars are becoming an increasingly common sight on British roads.

Here in Halifax and across Calderdale, we’re seeing more electric and hybrid vehicles every year. Some people love them, others aren’t so sure, and plenty of motorists are still perfectly happy with their petrol or diesel cars.

That’s fine by me.

I’ve spent most of my life in the motor trade, and if there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s that the industry never stands still.

Cars change.

Technology changes.

Garages have to change with them.

The electric vehicle revolution is simply the latest chapter in a story that’s been evolving ever since the first motor cars appeared on British roads.

I’ve Seen Enormous Changes in My Lifetime: Electric Cars and the MOT Test

When I first entered the motor trade, cars were incredibly simple compared with today’s vehicles.

There were no computers controlling the engine.

No touchscreen displays.

No lane-keeping systems.

No cameras watching the road.

Certainly no enormous battery underneath the floor powering the entire vehicle!

A good mechanic could often diagnose a fault simply by listening to the engine.

Those days haven’t completely disappeared, but modern vehicle repair is increasingly about combining traditional mechanical knowledge with computers, electronics and sophisticated diagnostic equipment.

Electric cars are accelerating that change.

EVs Still Need Looking After

One of the biggest myths about electric cars is that they don’t need servicing or maintenance.

It’s true that a fully electric vehicle doesn’t have engine oil, spark plugs, a conventional exhaust system or a timing belt.

There’s also no traditional clutch.

But an electric car still has plenty of components that require inspection and maintenance.

It still has tyres.

It still has brakes.

It still has suspension.

It still has steering.

It still has air conditioning.

And it still needs an MOT once it reaches the required age.

In fact, because many electric vehicles are considerably heavier than equivalent petrol cars, tyres and suspension components can face additional demands.

Tyres Will Become Even More Important: Electric Cars and the MOT Test

Naturally, this is something we know plenty about here at Pellon Tyres.

Electric cars produce instant torque.

Put your foot down and the power arrives immediately.

Combine that with the additional weight of a large battery pack, and you can understand why tyres have such an important job to do.

Tyre manufacturers have responded by developing products specifically suited to electric vehicles.

These tyres may be designed to carry heavier loads, reduce rolling resistance and keep road noise to a minimum.

That last point is especially interesting.

When there’s no petrol or diesel engine making noise, you suddenly notice the sound of the tyres much more.

That’s why companies such as Michelin, Continental, Falken and other leading manufacturers continue developing quieter tyre technology.

Regenerative Braking Doesn’t Mean Brakes Last Forever

Many electric and hybrid vehicles use regenerative braking.

Instead of relying entirely on conventional brakes, the electric motor helps slow the vehicle while recovering energy and returning it to the battery.

This can reduce wear on brake pads and discs.

However, there’s another side to the story.

Because the conventional brakes may be used less frequently, corrosion can sometimes become a problem.

Brake discs can develop rust, and components can become stiff if they aren’t regularly inspected.

So while EV brakes may wear differently, they still need checking.

Suspension Will Remain Big Business for Garages: Electric Cars and the MOT Test

Suspension is another area where electric vehicles still require traditional garage expertise.

A heavy battery pack adds considerable weight.

That weight has to be supported by springs, shock absorbers, bushes, ball joints and other suspension components.

Add our Yorkshire potholes into the equation and you’ve got a recipe for wear and tear!

Anyone who regularly drives around Halifax and Calderdale knows exactly what I mean.

It only takes one deep pothole to damage a tyre, knock out the wheel alignment or put additional strain on suspension components.

Electric or petrol, the laws of physics remain the same.

Diagnostics are becoming more important.

This is probably one of the biggest changes facing the motor trade.

Modern cars are effectively computers on wheels.

They contain numerous electronic control units constantly monitoring the vehicle.

Electric vehicles take this even further.

Battery management systems monitor battery temperature, voltage and charging performance.

Other systems control electric motors, thermal management, regenerative braking and charging.

When something goes wrong, technicians increasingly need advanced diagnostic equipment to identify the problem.

The days of simply lifting the bonnet and spotting a broken wire are disappearing fast.

Battery Health Could Become the New Engine Health: Electric Cars and the MOT Test

This is something I find particularly interesting.

When buying a used petrol or diesel car, people traditionally ask about the engine.

Does it burn oil?

Has the timing belt been changed?

Is there a full service history?

With electric vehicles, the big question will increasingly become:

What’s the condition of the battery?

Battery health could become one of the most important factors determining the value of a used electric car.

Customers will want to know how much capacity remains and whether the expected driving range has deteriorated.

I can easily imagine battery health reports becoming a normal part of buying and selling used electric vehicles.

ADAS Is Another Growing Area

Another major development is Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, usually known as ADAS.

Modern vehicles can now have automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, parking systems and numerous cameras and sensors.

These systems can require recalibration after certain repairs.

For example, replacing a windscreen, carrying out suspension repairs or adjusting wheel alignment may affect sensors and cameras.

This creates another new area of work for modern garages.

The equipment isn’t cheap, and technicians need proper training, but it’s another example of how the motor trade is evolving rather than disappearing.

The MOT Will Have to Evolve Too: Electric Cars and the MOT Test

Electric vehicles still require an MOT once they reach the appropriate age.

Many of the familiar safety checks remain exactly the same.

Tyres must be legal.

Brakes must work properly.

Suspension must be safe.

Lights, seatbelts, steering and windscreens still need inspecting.

However, as the number of electric vehicles grows, I expect MOT testing will continue evolving to reflect changes in vehicle technology.

Battery safety, electronic systems and advanced driver assistance features could become increasingly important in the future.

The MOT has changed many times over the years, and I’m sure it will change many more times yet.

Will Electric Cars Kill the Independent Garage?

Personally, I don’t think so.

The work will change, certainly.

Electric vehicles have fewer traditional engine components.

There are no oil changes on fully electric cars.

No exhaust systems.

No spark plugs.

No conventional timing belts.

But cars will always need maintaining.

They’ll still hit potholes.

They’ll still need tyres.

Suspension components will still wear.

Air-conditioning systems will still require servicing.

Electronic faults will still occur.

And as vehicles become increasingly complex, skilled technicians could become more valuable than ever.

Garages Must Move with the Times: Electric Cars and the MOT Test

The independent garages that succeed will be the ones willing to adapt.

That’s always been the case.

When fuel injection arrived, garages had to learn about it.

When catalytic converters became standard, we adapted.

When computer diagnostics became essential, we invested in equipment.

When tyre pressure monitoring systems arrived, we learnt how to diagnose and repair them.

Electric vehicles are simply the next stage.

Garages that invest sensibly in training and technology will continue looking after their customers for many years to come.

My Own Experience with Hybrid Motoring

I’ve recently joined the hybrid world myself after buying a Hyundai Tucson self-charging hybrid.

And I must say, it’s a lovely car that drives like a dream.

The technology is impressive.

Driving around town, the vehicle can move quietly using electric assistance, while the petrol engine takes over when required.

Regenerative braking helps recover energy that would otherwise be wasted.

Of course, mine isn’t a fully electric car, but it has certainly given me a greater appreciation of how quickly vehicle technology is changing.

Having spent a lifetime around cars, I find these developments fascinating.

Halifax Garages Will Continue to Have an Important Role

People sometimes talk about the future as though every independent garage will suddenly disappear.

I don’t believe that for one minute.

Motorists still value local businesses they can trust.

They want someone to explain a problem in straightforward language.

They want honest advice.

And they want to know that work will only be carried out when it’s genuinely needed.

That’s always been our philosophy at Pellon Tyres.

Whether the car runs on petrol, diesel, electricity or a combination of both doesn’t change that basic principle.

The Next Ten Years Will Be Fascinating: Electric Cars and the MOT Test

I think we’re entering one of the most interesting periods the motor trade has ever experienced.

Petrol and diesel cars will remain on British roads for many years.

Hybrids will continue growing in popularity.

Fully electric cars will become increasingly common.

And garages will adapt to look after all of them.

The tools may change.

The training may change.

The diagnostic equipment will certainly change.

But the basic job remains the same.

Keeping customers’ vehicles safe, reliable and roadworthy.

After spending most of my working life in the motor trade, I’ve witnessed incredible changes.

And I suspect there are plenty more still to come.

Here at Pellon Tyres in Halifax, we’ll continue doing what we’ve always done: moving with the times, learning about new technology and providing honest advice to motorists throughout Halifax, Calderdale and the surrounding Yorkshire area.

Because cars may change enormously, but good customer service never goes out of date.

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