The ask an MOT tester thread
Discussion
Avenicus said:
Hi MOT testers and thank you for all your answers so far...
I bought a used approved BMW just under 3 years old in December 2020 and it will be 3 years old in March 2021 (first registered March 2018).
It came with 12 months MOT in December when I bought it - I thought you cannot MOT a car 'early'?
Was it used for private hire/taxi?I bought a used approved BMW just under 3 years old in December 2020 and it will be 3 years old in March 2021 (first registered March 2018).
It came with 12 months MOT in December when I bought it - I thought you cannot MOT a car 'early'?
Some local authorities require an MOT at 12 months old.
Avenicus said:
I bought a used approved BMW just under 3 years old in December 2020 and it will be 3 years old in March 2021 (first registered March 2018).
It came with 12 months MOT in December when I bought it - I thought you cannot MOT a car 'early'?
You might be thinking of the rule that you cannot MoT a car more than one month before its expiry date and get the benefit of any extension. So if a car's MoT were to expire on say 31st August 2021 you could get it MoT'd any time after 31st July and the new MoT would expire on 30th August 2022 (so 13 months' worth), but if you were to MoT it one day earlier, on 30th July, it would expire on 29th July 2022.It came with 12 months MOT in December when I bought it - I thought you cannot MOT a car 'early'?
.... at least, that's how I understand it !
Lily the Pink said:
You might be thinking of the rule that you cannot MoT a car more than one month before its expiry date and get the benefit of any extension. So if a car's MoT were to expire on say 31st August 2021 you could get it MoT'd any time after 31st July and the new MoT would expire on 30th August 2022 (so 13 months' worth), but if you were to MoT it one day earlier, on 30th July, it would expire on 29th July 2022.
.... at least, that's how I understand it !
I never realised that theoretically you could MOT a car on day 1 and yes, thanks LtP, that is what I was thinking of - the 1 month before expiry bit..... at least, that's how I understand it !
stevemcs said:
scoey1001 said:
What's your experience with 200 cell sports cats? Tend to pass or not? Also is it true your car should have the standard cat, if so generally how strict are testers with this?
They go through, some need to be roasting hot though - mine does. Just let them know when you drop the car off.
Howitzer said:
I have a 1991 Mercedes petrol. It was fitted with a CAT from the factory.
Does it need a CAT to be present to pass an MOT or would it be ok if it passed on emissions alone?
I had a 1991 Peugeot years ago and this had no CAT and I believe the emissions limits were the same.
Dave!
It does I am afraid.Does it need a CAT to be present to pass an MOT or would it be ok if it passed on emissions alone?
I had a 1991 Peugeot years ago and this had no CAT and I believe the emissions limits were the same.
Dave!
(a) Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer: missing, obviously modified or obviously defective
mikemike39 said:
Audi A8 - on startup has a warning message saying oil level sensor is defective. Little yellow triangle stays on with an oil can symbol. The oil level can be checked in the traditional fashion and is fine. Is the sensor an issue at MOT time?
Mike
It is of no interest to us as testers, some might give you an advise but it will not affect the test.Mike
I have recently bought a low mileage Cayman (20,000 miles)with the benefit of a brand new MOT. I noticed on the way home from the sellers garage that it had a steering wheel shimmy at 70mph. I assumed it was an out of balance wheel, but when I was at my favoured Porsche indie shortly afterwards, I asked him to put the car on the ramps and check it over.
He discovered that both front bottom ball joints had play in them. I could feel it as well when I had a wobble. The car has done about 1200 miles since purchase.
I have asked the selling garage to correct but he wants (fair enough) to inspect.
What is the acceptable level of play, if any?
It also has a slight oil leak from a leaky O ring thats not going to get better. Is that an MOT fail or advisory issue?
He discovered that both front bottom ball joints had play in them. I could feel it as well when I had a wobble. The car has done about 1200 miles since purchase.
I have asked the selling garage to correct but he wants (fair enough) to inspect.
What is the acceptable level of play, if any?
It also has a slight oil leak from a leaky O ring thats not going to get better. Is that an MOT fail or advisory issue?
andygo said:
I have recently bought a low mileage Cayman (20,000 miles)with the benefit of a brand new MOT. I noticed on the way home from the sellers garage that it had a steering wheel shimmy at 70mph. I assumed it was an out of balance wheel, but when I was at my favoured Porsche indie shortly afterwards, I asked him to put the car on the ramps and check it over.
He discovered that both front bottom ball joints had play in them. I could feel it as well when I had a wobble. The car has done about 1200 miles since purchase.
I have asked the selling garage to correct but he wants (fair enough) to inspect.
What is the acceptable level of play, if any?
It also has a slight oil leak from a leaky O ring thats not going to get better. Is that an MOT fail or advisory issue?
For a joint to fail according to the book it should be at risk of parting! Anything less should be an advise.He discovered that both front bottom ball joints had play in them. I could feel it as well when I had a wobble. The car has done about 1200 miles since purchase.
I have asked the selling garage to correct but he wants (fair enough) to inspect.
What is the acceptable level of play, if any?
It also has a slight oil leak from a leaky O ring thats not going to get better. Is that an MOT fail or advisory issue?
Most of us are sensible enough to fail when it feels bad but that is not the requirement. Minimum standards not service standards.
Oil leak can be advised, there is a tick box for it, for it to fail it has to be very substantial indeed.
777GE90 said:
Are MOT testers allowed to test their own cars / company cars? If not, where do you get them tested?
We are allowed although there is talk of change, personally if I do my own or my families I am tough on them, it's my safety and my kids and grandkids so I don't let anything at all slip by. At least that way if 'they' check my MOT history it looks ok although my own car is really over serviced so tends to be ok!Got my MOT next week and my tyre pressure light seems to have become stuck on. Came on last week, topped up the tyre but the light hasn’t gone off, it did this once when newer and was reset but under warranty, now isn’t under warranty and although I can live with the light on would this cause an MOT fail?
I can see from the TPMS display the pressure is now fine. They’re all between 34-36 psi with the recommended number of 35.
I can see from the TPMS display the pressure is now fine. They’re all between 34-36 psi with the recommended number of 35.
carlove said:
Got my MOT next week and my tyre pressure light seems to have become stuck on. Came on last week, topped up the tyre but the light hasn’t gone off, it did this once when newer and was reset but under warranty, now isn’t under warranty and although I can live with the light on would this cause an MOT fail?
I can see from the TPMS display the pressure is now fine. They’re all between 34-36 psi with the recommended number of 35.
Its a straight fail according to the manualI can see from the TPMS display the pressure is now fine. They’re all between 34-36 psi with the recommended number of 35.
Defect Category
(h) Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously not working Major
Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
The inspection of the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is for M1 vehicles first used on or after 1 January 2012.
The TPMS warning lamp (see diagram 3) can operate in many ways depending on the vehicle type. You must only reject vehicles if it’s clear that the lamp indicates a system malfunction and not simply indicating that one or more of the tyre pressures is low.
carlove said:
Got my MOT next week and my tyre pressure light seems to have become stuck on. Came on last week, topped up the tyre but the light hasn’t gone off, it did this once when newer and was reset but under warranty, now isn’t under warranty and although I can live with the light on would this cause an MOT fail?
I can see from the TPMS display the pressure is now fine. They’re all between 34-36 psi with the recommended number of 35.
You need to recalibrate the system through the car menu. Check your user manual. I can see from the TPMS display the pressure is now fine. They’re all between 34-36 psi with the recommended number of 35.
Jazoli said:
carlove said:
Got my MOT next week and my tyre pressure light seems to have become stuck on. Came on last week, topped up the tyre but the light hasn’t gone off, it did this once when newer and was reset but under warranty, now isn’t under warranty and although I can live with the light on would this cause an MOT fail?
I can see from the TPMS display the pressure is now fine. They’re all between 34-36 psi with the recommended number of 35.
Its a straight fail according to the manualI can see from the TPMS display the pressure is now fine. They’re all between 34-36 psi with the recommended number of 35.
Defect Category
(h) Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously not working Major
Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
The inspection of the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is for M1 vehicles first used on or after 1 January 2012.
The TPMS warning lamp (see diagram 3) can operate in many ways depending on the vehicle type. You must only reject vehicles if it’s clear that the lamp indicates a system malfunction and not simply indicating that one or more of the tyre pressures is low.
"The TPMS warning lamp (see diagram 3) can operate in many ways depending on the vehicle type. You must only reject vehicles if it’s clear that the lamp indicates a system malfunction and not simply indicating that one or more of the tyre pressures is low."
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