Caravan owners must maintain electrical socket for MOT pass

The electrical socket on caravans must be in good working order for the vehicle to be roadworthy, new regulations stipulate.

Writing for Caravan Times, reporter Ash Hekmat explained that the rules came into force at the beginning of 2011 and will be mentioned as an advisory on all MOTs until April 1st. This means they must be fixed by their next MOT test.

While seven-pin sockets will be subjected to only a basic check by garage mechanics, full electrical connectivity checks will be carried out on 13-pin versions. The regulations affecting those taking their caravans to campsites this year are just some of the new guidelines introduced.

Mr Hekmat said: "The Department for Transport has added the new mandatory checks to all MOTs taking place after January 1st 2012, in order to bring UK testing in line with a revised European directive, aimed at ensuring vehicle tests include rigorous checks of electronic systems."

Typically, an MOT is required annually but it appeared until recently that the coalition government may change this so drivers would only need to have their car checked once every two years. However, The Guardian's transport correspondent Gwyn Topham reported this week that these proposals have been dropped.

Commenting on the decision, transport secretary Justine Greening said she wants to improve the MOT test by ensuring that drivers are given the best possible information on how to maintain their vehicle each time they are tested.