New MOT rules, wondering if I will encounter issues?
Discussion
I've been thinking about how my vehicles MOT is due in May and I'm wondering if it's going to cause my problems with the new MOT rules. I'm hoping there is an MOT tester or someone clued up on repairs & the law on here who might be able to advise me as to wether or not it's likely to fail.
I last had it tested right before the new rules came into force and it passed without any real issues, just an advisory on tyres which I since replaced.
Since then I've run into a couple of problems. First one, the lower section of the heat shield for the catalytic converter came loose due to corrosion and started dragging on the road, I drove it home very slowly and come the next morning I simply jacked the thing and ripped it off with some vise grips after determining from some research that the thing is relatively pointless especially since I have never and probably will never park on long dry grass. The upper portion remains fully in tact as far as I am aware and the one around the fuel tank is ok.
Secondly, this was just before the last mot actually, someone reversed into me at a set of traffic lights likely unaware they had the wrong gear. It was a decent whack but not a major amount of damaged caused, there is a small (probably no more than a couple of CM at widest) panel gap between the bonet and right wing but no sharp edges and passed on this. I'm aware there is new rules about the security of the bonnet, which seems ever so slightly wonky but doesn't feel insecure and has never shown any signs of falling off in 6000 miles of driving. The lower skid plate was knocked off it's mounting too and I secured it with cable ties. Never bothered to claim on their insurance as it would've been me paying the price in the end through increased premiums despite it not being my fault. Just told them to bugger off and sort out the damage to their own car. Zero advisories on chassis condition.
I hope someone can help so I can plan ahead and consider a new motor to save faffing about when the time comes.
I last had it tested right before the new rules came into force and it passed without any real issues, just an advisory on tyres which I since replaced.
Since then I've run into a couple of problems. First one, the lower section of the heat shield for the catalytic converter came loose due to corrosion and started dragging on the road, I drove it home very slowly and come the next morning I simply jacked the thing and ripped it off with some vise grips after determining from some research that the thing is relatively pointless especially since I have never and probably will never park on long dry grass. The upper portion remains fully in tact as far as I am aware and the one around the fuel tank is ok.
Secondly, this was just before the last mot actually, someone reversed into me at a set of traffic lights likely unaware they had the wrong gear. It was a decent whack but not a major amount of damaged caused, there is a small (probably no more than a couple of CM at widest) panel gap between the bonet and right wing but no sharp edges and passed on this. I'm aware there is new rules about the security of the bonnet, which seems ever so slightly wonky but doesn't feel insecure and has never shown any signs of falling off in 6000 miles of driving. The lower skid plate was knocked off it's mounting too and I secured it with cable ties. Never bothered to claim on their insurance as it would've been me paying the price in the end through increased premiums despite it not being my fault. Just told them to bugger off and sort out the damage to their own car. Zero advisories on chassis condition.
I hope someone can help so I can plan ahead and consider a new motor to save faffing about when the time comes.
Edited by DJames93 on Tuesday 26th February 00:47
Edited by DJames93 on Tuesday 26th February 00:48
Edited by DJames93 on Tuesday 26th February 00:50
Edited by DJames93 on Tuesday 26th February 02:39
Pothole said:
"secured" with cable ties. Excellent. Could I have the make. model and reg just in case I'm ever behind you, risking my life?
In all honesty, assuming sufficiently large and robust cable ties have used, will they really be that much less secure than the assorted plastic clips used to fasten the engine under-covers on a lot of modern cars? 
What car is it?
What do you actually mean by 'skid plate'?
Is this a 4x4 or similar with metal plates/shields to protect such items as the front diff, steering rods, engine sump or are you just talking about the plastic undertrays?
Suggest you read through this & decide whether anything falls into the fail areas.
www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/c...
What do you actually mean by 'skid plate'?
Is this a 4x4 or similar with metal plates/shields to protect such items as the front diff, steering rods, engine sump or are you just talking about the plastic undertrays?
Suggest you read through this & decide whether anything falls into the fail areas.
www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/c...
Edited by paintman on Tuesday 26th February 09:56
paintman said:
What car is it?
What do you actually mean by 'skid plate'?
Is this a 4x4 or similar with metal plates/shields to protect such items as the front diff, steering rods, engine sump or are you just talking about the plastic undertrays?
Suggest you read through this & decide whether anything falls into the fail areas.
www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/c...
Honda Civic, gen 7 ep2. It's a large plastic engine bay undercarriage protector/skid plate as far as I'm aware, I'm not 100% sure on the part description. What do you actually mean by 'skid plate'?
Is this a 4x4 or similar with metal plates/shields to protect such items as the front diff, steering rods, engine sump or are you just talking about the plastic undertrays?
Suggest you read through this & decide whether anything falls into the fail areas.
www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/c...
Edited by paintman on Tuesday 26th February 09:56
Like mentioned in the post above yours, I could probably remove the thing if it is a problem. I only really want the car for another year while I save up a couple more grand for a much newer model so whatever I can do to get it through mot will be worth it provided it's not at extravagant cost.
Edited by DJames93 on Tuesday 26th February 10:20
If there are no sharp edges the bodywork shouldn’t be a problem. The wording for the heat shield is “missing where one was fitted as standard, risk of fire”
The tester therefore has to assess a fire risk to fail it!!
I’m sure there are some testers out there that would issue a fail but most wouldn’t.
The tester therefore has to assess a fire risk to fail it!!
I’m sure there are some testers out there that would issue a fail but most wouldn’t.
DJames93 said:
Honda Civic, gen 7 ep2. It's a large plastic engine bay undercarriage protector/skid plate as far as I'm aware, I'm not 100% sure on the part description.
Like mentioned in the post above yours, I could probably remove the thing if it is a problem. I only really want the car for another year while I save up a couple more grand for a much newer model so whatever I can do to get it through mot will be worth it provided it's not at extravagant cost.
I have an EP3 and my undertray is also held with cable ties, the original clips are utter dross and are only flimsy plastic pop in things anyway so a cable tie is actually a much more secure fastening IMO.Like mentioned in the post above yours, I could probably remove the thing if it is a problem. I only really want the car for another year while I save up a couple more grand for a much newer model so whatever I can do to get it through mot will be worth it provided it's not at extravagant cost.
Edited by DJames93 on Tuesday 26th February 10:20
Pothole and his worrying for his life drama was ace though
CrutyRammers said:
grudas said:
cable ties will be stronger than the plastic clips that usually secure undertrays.
drama queen much?
Agree!drama queen much?
Anyone who actually undertakes any car maintenance themselves will know that plastic under trays are not held in place by 12mm idestructainium bolts.
fergus said:
WinstonWolf said:
Pothole said:
"secured" with cable ties. Excellent. Could I have the make. model and reg just in case I'm ever behind you, risking my life?
Never look under a TVR, every single pipe is secured with cable ties 
Bit shocked to see the passenger seat slightly secured to just the fibreglass in places. It's not like that anymore since the body off chassis rebuild
Byker28i said:
fergus said:
WinstonWolf said:
Pothole said:
"secured" with cable ties. Excellent. Could I have the make. model and reg just in case I'm ever behind you, risking my life?
Never look under a TVR, every single pipe is secured with cable ties Bit shocked to see the passenger seat slightly secured to just the fibreglass in places. It's not like that anymore since the body off chassis rebuild
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff