First MOT looming - sort of...
Discussion
My car was registered and SVA'd in the middle of last year, on an age-related 2001 plate. The guy I bought it off (in good faith I believe) reckoned it wouldn't need an MOT for another 2 years and did somehow manage to tax it without an MOT. Now, however, the very pleasant young lady at the DVLA insists it needs an MOT, and the online/phone renewals and also refuse to go through with a valid MOT. So... it's test time.
As mentioned above the car has been SVA'd and it's in good mechanical condition and used regularly, so in theory it should sail through the test. Is there anything I might need to look out for putting it through first time? It's a 2001 Roadsport A if that has any bearing on things. Also, can anyone recommend a Seven-friendly MOT station in the North London/Herts area?
As mentioned above the car has been SVA'd and it's in good mechanical condition and used regularly, so in theory it should sail through the test. Is there anything I might need to look out for putting it through first time? It's a 2001 Roadsport A if that has any bearing on things. Also, can anyone recommend a Seven-friendly MOT station in the North London/Herts area?
Can't help with the seven friendly MOT station as I'm 150 miles away. However, the usual problem may be the emmisison test. Otherwise remember that if you have an LSD its best not to be placed in the brake roller. My centre uses an accelerometer which measures the braking force as he tests the brakes on the road. If you have an aeroscreen, there is no need for washers or wipers or problems with stonechips on the windscreen.
Really there should be no problem with your car going through the MOT excepting the emmisions. My centre takes the very pragmatic view that a) these cars don't do many miles at all to wear out and b) because we use them on track, there is a greater focus by the owners to make sure the mechanics are kept in good order as the consequences could be fatal. Both statements are true!
Really there should be no problem with your car going through the MOT excepting the emmisions. My centre takes the very pragmatic view that a) these cars don't do many miles at all to wear out and b) because we use them on track, there is a greater focus by the owners to make sure the mechanics are kept in good order as the consequences could be fatal. Both statements are true!
Tango7 said:
The usual problem may be the emmisison test. Otherwise remember that if you have an LSD its best not to be placed in the brake roller. My centre uses an accelerometer which measures the braking force.
Two very good points - thanks. How bad is the prospect of an LSD on rollers? Is there any way to circumvent that (assuming they don't have accelerometers) - can you request not to go on or just do the front or something? The emissions could be more of an issue. It does run slightly rough at idle and it is a race engine (basically just blue printed I think, but possibly still non-standard if you'll excuse the contradiction in terms) with no cat. How marginal are they usually, and what are my options if it doesn't pass?
I might give The Seven Workshop a call and see if they can do it or know of anyone who does.
Chris71 said:
Tango7 said:
The usual problem may be the emmisison test. Otherwise remember that if you have an LSD its best not to be placed in the brake roller. My centre uses an accelerometer which measures the braking force.
Two very good points - thanks. How bad is the prospect of an LSD on rollers? Is there any way to circumvent that (assuming they don't have accelerometers) - can you request not to go on or just do the front or something? The emissions could be more of an issue. It does run slightly rough at idle and it is a race engine (basically just blue printed I think, but possibly still non-standard if you'll excuse the contradiction in terms) with no cat. How marginal are they usually, and what are my options if it doesn't pass?
I might give The Seven Workshop a call and see if they can do it or know of anyone who does.
Depends what sort of LSD you have as to whether it gets wound up on the brake rollers. I think it's only the plate type that are badly affected? I don't believe the torsne type diffs (e.g. AP suretrac, etc) are affected?
I think the overwhelming likelyhood is that it's a clutch/plate type is. I think the vast majority of aftermarket ones are, barring the Quaife ATBs. They do allow a limited amount of slip between the plates still, so it might not be a huge issue?
The emissions test is more of a concern, potentially. Sounds like I might be up against more than just the usual handbrake cable and headlamp beam adjustment - will drop you a line Fergus!
The emissions test is more of a concern, potentially. Sounds like I might be up against more than just the usual handbrake cable and headlamp beam adjustment - will drop you a line Fergus!
I'd imagine all test stations have an accelerometer to do the brake test, it's not just daft wee cars that don't go on the rollers. 4x4s are the same. They should be happy to road test it.
Are you sure you don't have a cat fitted? The pics on your blog look like the cat system. I think RSA's were supplied with a cat system & the race exhaust. A 2001 car will need the cat for emmissions.
Are you sure you don't have a cat fitted? The pics on your blog look like the cat system. I think RSA's were supplied with a cat system & the race exhaust. A 2001 car will need the cat for emmissions.
7SS said:
Are you sure you don't have a cat fitted? The pics on your blog look like the cat system. I think RSA's were supplied with a cat system & the race exhaust. A 2001 car will need the cat for emmissions.
Sorry, used to diesel engines with a big chunky lump of close-coupled cat towards the manifold end of the exhaust system! 
Where is the cat on the 1.6 K-Series Seven? Is it hidden in what I assumed to be the silencer (under the heatshield)?i.e. this:
I think that confirms once and for all that I'm better off out of engineering!
Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 18th November 09:56
Another problem I've heard of are front wing indicators! or lack of them! Some people have failed MOT for not having them fitted?? My car passed ok without though!
Anybody else on here clarify if they should be fitted or not?
Also I've heard that kit built cars before 2000 do not require emissions test! I tried this with guy at testing station but He insisted it was done.....passed anyway!!
Al...
Anybody else on here clarify if they should be fitted or not?
Also I've heard that kit built cars before 2000 do not require emissions test! I tried this with guy at testing station but He insisted it was done.....passed anyway!!
Al...
EVS777 said:
Another problem I've heard of are front wing indicators! or lack of them! Some people have failed MOT for not having them fitted?? My car passed ok without though!
Anybody else on here clarify if they should be fitted or not?
Also I've heard that kit built cars before 2000 do not require emissions test! I tried this with guy at testing station but He insisted it was done.....passed anyway!!
Al...
I think it's pre-98 that is visible smoke only?Anybody else on here clarify if they should be fitted or not?
Also I've heard that kit built cars before 2000 do not require emissions test! I tried this with guy at testing station but He insisted it was done.....passed anyway!!
Al...
Wing indicators - doesn't seem to be a firm answer. A 7-friendly MoT tester might let you off them.
The MoT rules def say you need the repeaters, but many MoT places are happy without them as they weren't fitted as standard. They don't need to be on the wing, just visible from the rear quarters. I mounted some on ally plates which I double-sided taped to the indicator pods to make them temporary for the Mot. I think they are still there (Im not certain as I sold the car).
B.B.B.ert b.b.b.odgit
B.B.B.ert b.b.b.odgit
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