Changes to the MoT test have been announced which could make it harder for your car to pass.

From May 2018, new three failure ratings will be introduced by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and there will be a crackdown on diesel cars, making it harder for them to pass the test.

Under the new rules, the test will categorise defects and faults under either Dangerous, Minor or Major.

These new categories will grade how severe and dangerous a fault is.

Minor faults may still pass the test, but they will be flagged on the MoT certificate alongside advisory notices, whilst cars that have Major or Dangerous defects will automatically fail the test.

The new rules will come into play from May, and drivers can be fined £1,000 of they are found to be driving without a valid MoT certificate.

More general changes include the addition of new checks for reverse lights and brake discs.

The test will also make it harder for diesels because of a crackdown on cars producing ‘dirty' emissions.

Diesel particulate filters will now be checked and if it is found to have been removed or tampered with the car will fail .

Under the new rules, if the exhaust on a vehicle fitted with a diesel particulate filter emits visible smoke of any colour the car will be issued a Major fault.