In a current consultation on changes to the MOT, the Department for Transport are considering a metered test for noise. Currently vehicles are subject to a subjective examination of the noise level. The consultation acknowledges that vehicle noise currently causes annoyance in communities, and can have serious environmental health effects, and states:
“Vehicles are required to meet strict noise limits before they are placed on the market and it is illegal to modify a vehicle’s silencer to make it noisier if being used on public roads. However, experience shows that some vehicles are fitted with noisier (or no) silencer and other modifications that are noisier than desirable.”
While a metered sound test could potentially be used, many MOT stations will have high background noise levels, so are likely to provide challenges for accurate and reproducible sound level measurement. There is also a risk of nuisance to people living near a testing station if changes increase noise produced by the centre.
The IOA will be responding to the consultation with views on potential enhancements to the MOT to tackle excessive vehicle noise, and whether there are suitable technological solutions that would enable a metered sound level test to be undertaken in a typical MOT garage.
The consultation is now open until March 22nd.
(updated 24/2/22)
