And so they should, bloody things.
Too right. The problem with HID is that not even the manufacturers can get it right half the time, then you get people who retrofit it and don't understand the whole arrangement properly and just end up blinding everyone.
On the EGR issue - IF it came into play, I suspect it would only apply to vehicles of a certain age, they can't change the rules outright and expect us all to be able to refit our old EGR systems.
IF and a bigger IF than before, they enforced a ban on disabling the EGR across the board then the trick would be to disable the EGR valve by welding it up for example, jamming the pin... and just let it sit there. I would keep the pipe work and install it for decorative purposes during the MOT.
Some of this years MOT changes are:
Steering locks must work.
Defective ball joint dust covers will be a fail (Some stations would fail on this anyway they were wrong to do so until recently.)
Power steering fluid level on transparent reservoirs will be checked insufficient fluid will be a fail.
Power steering pipe wear or fouling will count as excessive corrosion.
Some proposals that are on VOSAs official test station memorandum:
Use of gas detection spray for LPG systems.
A check of towbar electrics where fitted.
Cat present.
Defective ABS/ESC components (I was under the impression it already was).
Main beam warning light.
All malfunction indicator lights must work.
Drivers seat adjustment.
Speedo
Headlight cleaning system and self-levelling on HID fitted systems.
Battery and wiring.
Engine mounts.
Some of it seems a bit stupid to be honest, not all will make it through.
At the moment as far as I can tell it is an MOT fail to remove CAT's from newer vehicles anyway, a bit like newer vehicles have stricter emissions values - I would hope they would have a date system for this.