Speedo showing 2mph when stationary

[mike42]

Hi All

Apologies if we've had this before - I couldn't see this exactly question.

Is it an MOT issue? I'm pretty sure its 2mph but maybe it could be argued its pushing 3mph - I'd need to check again.

[paradigital]

Pretty sure that speedos are ok to over-read, under-read would be worse.

[Caddyshack]

I suspect it is sensing the world turning….lol (it’s a bit faster than that)

Mot won’t care.

[D_G]

It's not even tested. As said they all over read anyway.

[Jo-say8k]

Have you tried disconnecting the cable and turning the wire in reverse to get the needle back down to zero?

[Pica-Pica]

UNECE regulation 39 only requires testing for type approval at 40, 80 and 120 kph.

[Caddyshack]

What car is it? On a 205 pug you can use 2 spoons to lift off the needle and put it back on where you want

[OutInTheShed]

Unless it's a digital speedo, 2mph is pretty good!
A lot of analogue speedos don't even pretend to do anything below about 5mph.

[paintman]

Only a fail if one isn't fitted on a vehicle that requires one, if it's not illuminated if required or if it's not working.
www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-priv...
Section 7.8

[bongtom]

I saw a Pagani parked up and it looked like it was going 60mph.

[rigga]

OutInTheShed said:

Unless it's a digital speedo, 2mph is pretty good!
A lot of analogue speedos don't even pretend to do anything below about 5mph.

Speedo on my Griffith doesn't move off the stop until I'm doing 20mph.

[SteveStrange]

Show off. My car doesn't register anything under 4.

[98elise]

Jo-say8k said:

Have you tried disconnecting the cable and turning the wire in reverse to get the needle back down to zero?

That's not how they work.

[Tommo87]

98elise said:

Jo-say8k said:

Have you tried disconnecting the cable and turning the wire in reverse to get the needle back down to zero?

That's not how they work.

But…. Ferris Beuller!!

[Decky_Q]

It doesnt always work but I have successfully used a magnet to move a needle back to rest on analogue guages. Give it a go with ignition off. The plastic in front needs to be pretty close to the guages to work. The guage read correctly after.

[Caterhamfan]

I have driven a number of older cars where the physical "Stop" for the speedometer lever was at the 20mph mark because the trip meter push button protruded through the face of the speedometer between the zero and 20mph markings so the speedometer reading was 20mph when stationary. As in the replies above, over-reading isn't a problem!

[sparkythecat]

rigga said:

Speedo on my Griffith doesn't move off the stop until I'm doing 20mph.

Your Speedo sensor probably needs re-gapping.
Setting the gap to around 6 thou’ using a feeler gauge sorted that problem out for me.

[OLDBENZ]

Caterhamfan said:

I have driven a number of older cars where the physical "Stop" for the speedometer lever was at the 20mph mark because the trip meter push button protruded through the face of the speedometer between the zero and 20mph markings so the speedometer reading was 20mph when stationary. As in the replies above, over-reading isn't a problem!

It was quite common in the '70s for cars' speedos not to read 0mph when stationary, particularly among Italian cars for some reason. Picture of a Lancia Fulvia speedo below by way of illustration.