Last year over 417,767 HGV’s went through their annual tests (which are the HGV equivalent to a MOT) to ensure they are safe to run on the roads. But out of that number, 71,020 vehicles failed and were deemed unroadworthy, making the test failure rate 17.2%. And because HGV’s are on the road almost constantly, a 17.2% failure rate is really quite staggering. But if your vehicle hasn’t gone through its 2017 annual test yet, there are some things you can do to prevent failure. To help you prioritise your maintenance, we have collated the 10 most common reasons HGV’s failed their tests last year, in reverse order.
10 – Wiring
428 (that’s 1%) of HGV’s failed their annual tests due to wiring problems. As part of the check, examiners will thoroughly inspect the condition and security of all the wiring in the vehicle. If it is found to be damaged, eroded or even positioned in a way that could cause chafing, catching or damage from the heat of the engine, the vehicle will fail.
9 – Tachograph Problems
Coming almost joint first with wiring issues in terms of failure rate are tachograph faults. By law, HGV’s must have a tachograph unit fitted and operational. The only way around this is if, as the operator of the vehicle, you are legally exempt (which isn’t very common). During the check, all seals and fixtures will be visually inspected and the unit fully tested. If your tachograph is damaged, not keeping time correctly or not installed at all, the vehicle will fail.
8 – Parking Brake
Slightly higher in the running is the parking brake. Performance issues in this area accounted for 1.2% of all failures last year. In order for your vehicle to pass, the parking brake needs to be fully secure and perform properly when applied. Any slippage or grinding will result in failure.
7 – Secondary Brakes
Impressively, the secondary brakes performance is responsible for more failures than the primary brakes, coming in at a 1.4% failure rate. This could be because they are a secondary system, so aren’t subjected to the same rigorous maintenance as the primary break systems.
6 – Suspension
Suspension issues accounted for just over 1.6% of all vehicle failures last year. In order to pass inspection, your suspension must be in good condition, free from any defects or damage and attached correctly at all points.
5 – Steering
Steering is another common issue for HGV’s in annual checks. In order to pass, your steering mechanism needs to be clean and clear of damage, function correctly and fall within the pass range for smoothness of movement. If it’s too stiff or rough, the vehicle will fail, just like 1.9% of other HGV’s last year.
4 – Service Brake
Jumping up the ranks a bit, 2.5% of HGV’s that failed last year did so due to issues with the service brake. The service brake is tested similarly to the primary and secondary brakes, with unique tests applied depending on the type of brake used.
3 – Brake System Components
Brakes are a bit of a running theme in this list. Last year, 3.3% of vehicles failed based on various faults with the components in the brake systems. This usually came down to damage and wear, which affects the function of the system and results in braking issues.
2 – Lamps
Issues with lamps in HGV’s made up around 3.8% of test failures last year. As part of the test, examiners will check that all lamps are fitted into the vehicle correctly and securely. This applies to:
- Headlamps
- Fog Lamps
- Stop Lamps
- Side Marker Lamps
- Rear Registration Plate Lamps
- Rear Mounted Forklift Lamps
If any one of these lamps is missing, loose, not functioning properly or emitting the wrong colour or brightness, your vehicle will fail.
1 – Headlamp Aim
By far the most common complaint made by other motorists against HGV’s is the blinding height of headlights, which is why examiners put so much weight on ensuring the headlight aim is correct in annual checks. Misalignment of headlamps was responsible for 4.8% of all test failures last year, making it the most common failure point of annual checks. In order to pass, your headlamps must shine within the correct band on a test form.
At Rapier Employment, we pride ourselves in matching knowledgeable, responsible, HGV drivers with companies who need that high level of skill and care. Our most successful drivers all understand the needs for regular maintenance and preventative care in their vehicles, which is just one of the reasons our placements are so successful. For more information on finding the perfect HGV drivers for you, or starting your career as a HGV driver, just get in touch today.