MOT on Friday... Checks to make?
Discussion
This is going to sound really silly, but I've not had to put a car in for an MOT for several years, apart from my Laguna which failed horrifically.
I've got an MOT booked on friday and I'm just slightly worried because ideally I need it for the weekend.
The cr has only done 3500ish miles since last years MOT so I'm hoping it should be in reasonable nick mechanically. There were no advisories last year.
I've checked all lights work, all dash lights come on and go out as they should, the car doesn't pull, no funny noises etc... Etc... Tyres are also all good.
What else should I be looking for?
Cheers.
I've got an MOT booked on friday and I'm just slightly worried because ideally I need it for the weekend.
The cr has only done 3500ish miles since last years MOT so I'm hoping it should be in reasonable nick mechanically. There were no advisories last year.
I've checked all lights work, all dash lights come on and go out as they should, the car doesn't pull, no funny noises etc... Etc... Tyres are also all good.
What else should I be looking for?
Cheers.
KardioKate said:
This is going to sound really silly, but I've not had to put a car in for an MOT for several years, apart from my Laguna which failed horrifically.
I've got an MOT booked on friday and I'm just slightly worried because ideally I need it for the weekend.
The cr has only done 3500ish miles since last years MOT so I'm hoping it should be in reasonable nick mechanically. There were no advisories last year.
I've checked all lights work, all dash lights come on and go out as they should, the car doesn't pull, no funny noises etc... Etc... Tyres are also all good.
What else should I be looking for?
Cheers.
Does the horn work! It's possible that you haven't used it since the last MOT!I've got an MOT booked on friday and I'm just slightly worried because ideally I need it for the weekend.
The cr has only done 3500ish miles since last years MOT so I'm hoping it should be in reasonable nick mechanically. There were no advisories last year.
I've checked all lights work, all dash lights come on and go out as they should, the car doesn't pull, no funny noises etc... Etc... Tyres are also all good.
What else should I be looking for?
Cheers.
Check the wipers, are the rubbers split, cracked lights.
Apart from that, unless you intend to get underneath and start checking rubbers on suspension and steering I can't think of anything else. Unfortunately, since last year damaged rubbers are now a fail so these could be a problem.
Providing the old MOT doesn't run out on Friday you can use it at the weekend anyway unless the garage find mojor stuff that they recommend you don't drive it at all.
Good luck!
john2443 said:
Does the horn work! It's possible that you haven't used it since the last MOT!
Check the wipers, are the rubbers split, cracked lights.
Apart from that, unless you intend to get underneath and start checking rubbers on suspension and steering I can't think of anything else. Unfortunately, since last year damaged rubbers are now a fail so these could be a problem.
Providing the old MOT doesn't run out on Friday you can use it at the weekend anyway unless the garage find mojor stuff that they recommend you don't drive it at all.
Good luck!
All lights have no cracks & the wiper blades were new yesterday! Horn also works!Check the wipers, are the rubbers split, cracked lights.
Apart from that, unless you intend to get underneath and start checking rubbers on suspension and steering I can't think of anything else. Unfortunately, since last year damaged rubbers are now a fail so these could be a problem.
Providing the old MOT doesn't run out on Friday you can use it at the weekend anyway unless the garage find mojor stuff that they recommend you don't drive it at all.
Good luck!
Which rubbers are we talking about?
Brakes-lights-steering and suspension are the main test points. Lights account for 60-odd percent of failures so check carefully that stuff like number-plate lights work.
Brakes need to pull up in a straight line, no knocks from steering and no oily deposits from leaking suspension components.
Owt else is in the hands of the Gods.
Brakes need to pull up in a straight line, no knocks from steering and no oily deposits from leaking suspension components.
Owt else is in the hands of the Gods.
The main thing you should check is - the garage you are taking it too.
From experience unscrupulous garages will try their hardest to bend advisories into a fail, or passes into an advise. As you say you haven't MOT'd a car for a while I'm guessing you don;t have a rapport built up with a local tester.
Maybe take it to a council garage a la Moneysavingexpert recommends?
From experience unscrupulous garages will try their hardest to bend advisories into a fail, or passes into an advise. As you say you haven't MOT'd a car for a while I'm guessing you don;t have a rapport built up with a local tester.
Maybe take it to a council garage a la Moneysavingexpert recommends?
Shoot me down if you want to...
but I find that giving the car a real good clean, polish,shiny windows etc and even the old 'back to black' the tyres gives me a bit more confidence taking the car for it's MOT!
my view is that if the car looks well kept, the mot man will be a bit more, shall we say, lenient?
it could all just be physchological mind you
makes me feel better anyway!!
but I find that giving the car a real good clean, polish,shiny windows etc and even the old 'back to black' the tyres gives me a bit more confidence taking the car for it's MOT!
my view is that if the car looks well kept, the mot man will be a bit more, shall we say, lenient?
it could all just be physchological mind you
makes me feel better anyway!!
steveo3002 said:
cv joints you can peek under the car...each end of the drive shaft there will be a rubber boot , check for holes and splits ...otherwise worn stuff will usualy clonk and rattle if bad
if it hasnt had a good run lately make sure it gets a good run with some revs on the way there
This is worth taking account of. If a car is marginal on the emissions it'll often pass if it's had a bit of a thrash and been warmed through properly.if it hasnt had a good run lately make sure it gets a good run with some revs on the way there
TBH it sounds like you've checked pretty much everything you can without getting the car on a ramp already.
Checks to shock absorbers are purely visible, they check for rust and leaks. If you wipe the shock absorber bodies with a cloth beforehand then there won't be any visible leaks at least.
If you've got parking permits or things in your windscreen in the swept area of your windscreen wipers, remove them (apart from the tax disc).
I know it sounds anal but I had to pay for an extra MOT fee after I got failed on this one. I didn't take my car back to that garage again, mind.
I know it sounds anal but I had to pay for an extra MOT fee after I got failed on this one. I didn't take my car back to that garage again, mind.
Edited for stupid comment about "swept area of your parking permit"
Edited by blearyeyedboy on Wednesday 25th July 18:30
Thanks guys, some good tips here.
It's going to a garage local to us for the test, as my parents have a good relationship with them (mot'd my dads car the other day which passed th flying colours.). They know we look after our cars and know what relation I am to my dad! Should be ok on that front.
I am getting some new brakes fitted tomorrow morning, there's a slight wobble and from my (admittedly crude) measuring techniques the front vented discs seem to be about 170mm deep, rather than the minimum 190 (according to Mr Google). It's going to a different garage to the MOT place though (again trusted place we go for tyres) for that as they're happy for me to source the parts and they'll just fit them. £80 all in.
Will check the shocks (if they're reasonably accessible) and good shout on the number plate lights. Hadn't thought of that. Also I need to unblock one of the windscreen washer nozzles.
I'm quietly confident it will pass, but it's just if there's something hiding that I can't detect!
Cheers for all who have suggested stuff!
It's going to a garage local to us for the test, as my parents have a good relationship with them (mot'd my dads car the other day which passed th flying colours.). They know we look after our cars and know what relation I am to my dad! Should be ok on that front.
I am getting some new brakes fitted tomorrow morning, there's a slight wobble and from my (admittedly crude) measuring techniques the front vented discs seem to be about 170mm deep, rather than the minimum 190 (according to Mr Google). It's going to a different garage to the MOT place though (again trusted place we go for tyres) for that as they're happy for me to source the parts and they'll just fit them. £80 all in.
Will check the shocks (if they're reasonably accessible) and good shout on the number plate lights. Hadn't thought of that. Also I need to unblock one of the windscreen washer nozzles.
I'm quietly confident it will pass, but it's just if there's something hiding that I can't detect!
Cheers for all who have suggested stuff!
jcremonini said:
If you need the car for the weekend then , in future, MOT it a few weeks before the expiry date. That way (a) if it passes then next years expiry date is still the current expiry + 1 year and (b) you can still drive the car with a current MOT while you get all the work sorted.
It has a month MOT on it still, but I wouldn't want to drive it if something safety critical needed doing.blearyeyedboy said:
If you've got parking permits or things in your windscreen in the swept area of your parking permit, remove them (apart from the tax disc).
My old 306 had a poor death and was recovered courtesy of the BIB and was a write off - when I went down to empty the car I had one of those smelly feet air freshners and was told hanging anything from the rear view mirror is an automatic MOT fail. Bit obscure but checked at testing time, Pedal rubbers in particular the one on the brake pedal. Make sure they are not split and provide good grip.
Also seat belts, check they extend and retract lock when pulled rapidly and are not frayed excessively. Also if it has a rear centre lap belt make sure it is not stuffed behind the seat.
Also seat belts, check they extend and retract lock when pulled rapidly and are not frayed excessively. Also if it has a rear centre lap belt make sure it is not stuffed behind the seat.
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