NEW MoT rules set by the European Union will hit drivers with costly bills, warns Wirral MEP Paul Nuttall.

This month has seen the introduction of tougher tests that will see previously roadworthy vehicles fail their MoTs or be in need of repairs.

An additional 15 boxes on the MoT checklist will need to be ticked before cars are deemed legal to be on the road.

“These rules will drive perfectly serviceable cars off the road and force hundreds of thousands of motorists to dig deep into their pockets,” said Mr Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

The changes, which include stringent checks on warning lights, handbrakes and wiring, were introduced in January last year, but they have only now become mandatory.

“A lot of older cars that might have passed their MoT won’t under these new rules and some will be forced off the road as drivers can’t afford to bring them up to scratch.

“Life for motorists is expensive enough already with the ever increasing costs of fuel, road tax and insurance and now they will be hit with this.

"Some owners will find repair costs higher than the value of the vehicle and yet days ago it would have passed the test.

“It is meddling Eurocrats behind this, making rules for rules sake as usual, and demonstrates - yet again- why we should leave the EU,” said Mr Nuttall.

A spokesman for the AA said it is inevitable motorists will face higher repair bills to keep their cars roadworthy.

He said the additional checks were brought in to deal with growing technology that goes into making cars.

He added many drivers will face a situation where the cost of repairs is higher than the value of the vehicle.

“This is the biggest revolution of the MoT since the early 1990s and will mean many more cars will fail as a result,” he said.

“There is a huge amount of additional items which will need to be checked, car technology has become more sophisticated.

“Some people will be left with the situation that their car is an economic write off, a lot of older cars that may have previously passed their MoT won’t.”

MoT additions from March 20 are:

1) Electronic handbrake 

2) Electronic stability checks, to check steering during emergency stops or sharp bends

3) Dashboard warning lights

4) Steering and suspension including the steering lock

5) Subtle checks to headlight lenses

6) Wiring and battery positioning in the engine

7) Caravan electrical socket, to ensure indicators and brake lights on trailed caravans work while they are being driven

8) Built-in tyre pressure monitors, which alert to slow punctures.

9) Airbag warning lights

10) Speedometer

11) Seat adjusters

12) Doors - locks must be in fully working order

13) Towbars

14) Exhausts and catalytic converters working

15) Fuel pipes