tyres

Vehicle Inspection (Biennial M.O.T, Roadworthiness Test)

L200

If a vehicle is FOUR years old it is required to be tested, then tested every two years after that.

The vehicle inspection is similar to the MOT test in the UK and is carried out at authorized garages. The test is computerized and takes about 30 minutes.

The test covers:

  1. exhaust emissions
  2. brakes
  3. suspension
  4. steering
  5. a visual check of lights, tyres, brake pipes etc.

You will not be able to renew your Road Tax without the vehicle passing the test.

The Procedure.
If your vehicle is properly registered and the Department of Transport has your current address, and you have failed to submit the vehicle for testing, you may receive a notification, in Greek, that the test was due.

The form includes information on the current fees and the date by which the test must be carried out. It may be a month or so after the anniversary of first registration.

You will be given a limited time in which to comply with the requirement.

It has been proposed that a text message may be sent to the owner prior to the test becoming due.

If you do not receive notification, you should go through the same procedure. Non receipt of the reminder will not let you off the hook should it come to a prosecution.

Take the vehicle registration document and the fee (currently €35.25) to a testing station authorized to carry out the test.

If a vehicle fails the test a temporary certificate is issued which allows 30 days to rectify the faullts.

The re-test fee is €10.

The result is entered on the DoRT database immediately and a certificate is issued. The certificate is valid for TWO years from the date of issue.

Pass Certificate

If your vehicle does not have a valid vehicle test certificate the road tax becomes invalid. You are likely to be prosecuted for both offences.
Insurance companies may refuse to cover damages to the vehicle if the driver of such a vehicle is involved in an accident.

Information regarding Cyprus tyre law is available on this site.

To download detailed information on the MOT Test with a rough English translation click here.

Currently motorcycles are not being tested.
However the law is in place (from the 6th July 2012) to test:

  1. Motorcycles
  2. Tricycles
  3. Electric vehicles
  4. Motor vehicles hired without drivers

Under the amendments to the legislation the above categories of motor vehicles will be invited to undergo inspection at a time to be decided by the Commissioner.

Tyres

There have been a number of rumours circulating regarding tyres. Here is a brief rundown of the legislation.

The Law and the Biennial Vehicle Inspection (MOT)

The vehicle will fail the test and you may commit traffic offences if:

  1. The tyre does not fit snugly on the rim
  2. The rim is dented or distorted
  3. Different tyre size
  4. Different tread pattern on same axle
  5. Cuts greater than 25 mm or greater than 10 % of width, bulges or other damage.
  6. The grooves of the tread pattern are not at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising: the central three-quarters of the breadth of tread around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
  7. The general condition of the tyre of the tyre is poor e.g. perished rubber.
  8. The valve is worn, deformed or broken.

The DOT number

The DOT number is the US Department of Transport number which contains a code for the manufacturer e.g. JJ82, then an internal code for the manufacturers’ use and then the date code. Recent tyres have a 4 figure code the first two are the week of manufacture the second two are the year of manufacture.

The DOT code currently has no bearing in Cyprus law. Nor is there any legislation being proposed that would, for example, make it illegal to drive the vehicle on the road fitted with an old tyre. Nor can the vehicle fail the Bi Annual Vehicle Test (MOT) purely on the date of manufacture of the tyre.

The questions regarding DOT dates was brought about by the importing of secondhand tyres from other countries. The importers asked the Department of Transport if it was legal. The answer was that it is, provided the tyres are safe.

A number of other interested parties, who were not happy with the importers, seem to have started this chain of events and wanted to introduce the DOT date restriction.

The Department of Transport did state however that vehicles being submitted to their offices for Type Approval may be refused if they consider the tyres to be too old. This will effect very few people, those who wish a one off Type Approval.

For further advice on tyres I suggest you look at the manufactures website to check their recommendations regarding the longevity of their tyres.