Vehicle equipment and standards
What the standards cover
This domain tests the equipment and condition items in the VIRM and the pass/fail thresholds. You must inspect the vehicle as presented, not what the owner says was repaired. Key systems include tyres and wheels, brakes, steering and suspension, lighting, glazing, seatbelts, structure, exhaust, fuel systems, doors, mirrors and speedometer.
Core rules and thresholds
- Tyres: minimum tread depth 1.5 mm for light vehicles; no cords or ply exposed, no deep cuts, bulges or separations. A tyre can fail on condition even if tread is legal.
- Brakes: service and parking brakes must operate efficiently; no fluid leaks, insecure components or excessive wear. Brake performance must meet the prescribed test.
- Lighting: headlamps, tail, stop, indicator, hazard and rear reflectors must be fitted and work; headlamp aim and colour must comply. Replacement lamps must suit the housing.
- Glazing: windscreen and windows must give adequate visibility; cracks or damage in the driver's critical vision area fail.
- Seatbelts: required belts must be present, accessible, unfrayed and latching; anchorages and retractors must be sound.
- Structure: no corrosion or damage that affects strength; modifications need the correct certification where required.
Worked example
A car has 1.6 mm tread on one tyre but a sidewall cut exposing cords. The tread passes the 1.5 mm minimum, but the exposed cords fail the condition requirement. The inspector records a fail for tyre structure, not for tread depth, and does not issue a WoF.
Traps
Checking only tread depth and ignoring sidewall damage; passing a lamp that fits but is not compliant; missing a modified suspension without certification; treating a small windscreen chip in the driver's view as automatically acceptable.