The ask an MOT tester thread
Discussion
carlove said:
Got my MOT in the morning (tyre pressure sensor still got a light) but I’ve had a disagreement with a mate.
I’ve given my car a really good clean and hoover, going to the jet wash in a bit.
My mate said there’s no point cleaning it, it’s my car I can leave it how I like, they get paid so they shouldn’t have an issue. my response being it’s firstly the decent thing to do (giving somebody who’s working on your car a clean car, it’s having some maintenance while there) and second I think a clean car is more likely to get a pass as it’s all about first impressions. He said he’d just give it as it is.
My question; obviously if there’s anything that warrants a fail it’ll fail(everything I can check; bulbs, tyres, wipers are fine) but would you be kinder to a car that’s clean inside and out over a filthy car? My car has general winter dirt outside and was a bit mucky inside (not really cleaned inside since summer) but looks cared for now.
Considering the state of the interiors of cars coming into our place some look like they have never been cleaned. Also have the used mask hanging from the mirror/gear stick or indicator stalk which imo is disgusting. Ive actually recently refused to test a vehicle because the interior was so bad and so much rubbish including used masks I wasn't prepared to get it in. The worse bit it had a im a key worker working for the nhs sticker on the window. I’ve given my car a really good clean and hoover, going to the jet wash in a bit.
My mate said there’s no point cleaning it, it’s my car I can leave it how I like, they get paid so they shouldn’t have an issue. my response being it’s firstly the decent thing to do (giving somebody who’s working on your car a clean car, it’s having some maintenance while there) and second I think a clean car is more likely to get a pass as it’s all about first impressions. He said he’d just give it as it is.
My question; obviously if there’s anything that warrants a fail it’ll fail(everything I can check; bulbs, tyres, wipers are fine) but would you be kinder to a car that’s clean inside and out over a filthy car? My car has general winter dirt outside and was a bit mucky inside (not really cleaned inside since summer) but looks cared for now.
So yes a clean car is most appreciated by us testers and I personally would be more kinder obviously is a item is a fail it will fail etc.
One for the testers on here what do you recon will happen in april and may the place im now at were shut for april and march only opened in june they also got flooded out and was closed 3 weeks between mid feb and early march. Atm we really picked up mot wise 20-25 test a day from the both sides atm but we all recon april and may is going to be dead for mots with only 18 plate cars coming in.
Whats everyone else thinking atm or current workload. Im doing about 5 mot a day atm.
MG CHRIS said:
Considering the state of the interiors of cars coming into our place some look like they have never been cleaned. Also have the used mask hanging from the mirror/gear stick or indicator stalk which imo is disgusting. Ive actually recently refused to test a vehicle because the interior was so bad and so much rubbish including used masks I wasn't prepared to get it in. The worse bit it had a im a key worker working for the nhs sticker on the window.
So yes a clean car is most appreciated by us testers and I personally would be more kinder obviously is a item is a fail it will fail etc.
One for the testers on here what do you recon will happen in april and may the place im now at were shut for april and march only opened in june they also got flooded out and was closed 3 weeks between mid feb and early march. Atm we really picked up mot wise 20-25 test a day from the both sides atm but we all recon april and may is going to be dead for mots with only 18 plate cars coming in.
Whats everyone else thinking atm or current workload. Im doing about 5 mot a day atm.
I think we will be ok to be honest, maybe not quite as busy but we should still do 6-7 a day I reckonSo yes a clean car is most appreciated by us testers and I personally would be more kinder obviously is a item is a fail it will fail etc.
One for the testers on here what do you recon will happen in april and may the place im now at were shut for april and march only opened in june they also got flooded out and was closed 3 weeks between mid feb and early march. Atm we really picked up mot wise 20-25 test a day from the both sides atm but we all recon april and may is going to be dead for mots with only 18 plate cars coming in.
Whats everyone else thinking atm or current workload. Im doing about 5 mot a day atm.
Athlon said:
MG CHRIS said:
Considering the state of the interiors of cars coming into our place some look like they have never been cleaned. Also have the used mask hanging from the mirror/gear stick or indicator stalk which imo is disgusting. Ive actually recently refused to test a vehicle because the interior was so bad and so much rubbish including used masks I wasn't prepared to get it in. The worse bit it had a im a key worker working for the nhs sticker on the window.
So yes a clean car is most appreciated by us testers and I personally would be more kinder obviously is a item is a fail it will fail etc.
One for the testers on here what do you recon will happen in april and may the place im now at were shut for april and march only opened in june they also got flooded out and was closed 3 weeks between mid feb and early march. Atm we really picked up mot wise 20-25 test a day from the both sides atm but we all recon april and may is going to be dead for mots with only 18 plate cars coming in.
Whats everyone else thinking atm or current workload. Im doing about 5 mot a day atm.
I think we will be ok to be honest, maybe not quite as busy but we should still do 6-7 a day I reckonSo yes a clean car is most appreciated by us testers and I personally would be more kinder obviously is a item is a fail it will fail etc.
One for the testers on here what do you recon will happen in april and may the place im now at were shut for april and march only opened in june they also got flooded out and was closed 3 weeks between mid feb and early march. Atm we really picked up mot wise 20-25 test a day from the both sides atm but we all recon april and may is going to be dead for mots with only 18 plate cars coming in.
Whats everyone else thinking atm or current workload. Im doing about 5 mot a day atm.
Athlon said:
carlove said:
Got my MOT in the morning (tyre pressure sensor still got a light) but I’ve had a disagreement with a mate.
I’ve given my car a really good clean and hoover, going to the jet wash in a bit.
My mate said there’s no point cleaning it, it’s my car I can leave it how I like, they get paid so they shouldn’t have an issue. my response being it’s firstly the decent thing to do (giving somebody who’s working on your car a clean car, it’s having some maintenance while there) and second I think a clean car is more likely to get a pass as it’s all about first impressions. He said he’d just give it as it is.
My question; obviously if there’s anything that warrants a fail it’ll fail(everything I can check; bulbs, tyres, wipers are fine) but would you be kinder to a car that’s clean inside and out over a filthy car? My car has general winter dirt outside and was a bit mucky inside (not really cleaned inside since summer) but looks cared for now.
Not really, saying that, I always appreciate a clean car to test so thanks for thinking of us!I’ve given my car a really good clean and hoover, going to the jet wash in a bit.
My mate said there’s no point cleaning it, it’s my car I can leave it how I like, they get paid so they shouldn’t have an issue. my response being it’s firstly the decent thing to do (giving somebody who’s working on your car a clean car, it’s having some maintenance while there) and second I think a clean car is more likely to get a pass as it’s all about first impressions. He said he’d just give it as it is.
My question; obviously if there’s anything that warrants a fail it’ll fail(everything I can check; bulbs, tyres, wipers are fine) but would you be kinder to a car that’s clean inside and out over a filthy car? My car has general winter dirt outside and was a bit mucky inside (not really cleaned inside since summer) but looks cared for now.
I hate testing cars that are filthy inside though and have refused to test some, especially since the pandemic. Same if we get a pick up caked in mud underneath to the point you can't assess things.
Having cars with used masks or filled with rubbish gives me the heave!
I can't imagine giving my car to somebody to work on and it being dirty, in fact it's looking spotless this evening now, not taken any time to clean the car properly for months now, quite pleased with myself.
To me it's like going to the dentist, you're going to have a good brush before going to the dentist, or the hairdresser; you wash your hair before going to the hairdresser. I wash my car before taking it to the garage. I see it as common courtesy, I was surprised when my friend disagreed, I thought most people dropped their cars off clean. Can't imagine leaving used masks around, that's just gross, I'd refuse too.
To me it's like going to the dentist, you're going to have a good brush before going to the dentist, or the hairdresser; you wash your hair before going to the hairdresser. I wash my car before taking it to the garage. I see it as common courtesy, I was surprised when my friend disagreed, I thought most people dropped their cars off clean. Can't imagine leaving used masks around, that's just gross, I'd refuse too.
flashbang said:
Do you own the MOT tools or are they owned by the government?
The garage owns the equipment they have to be approved by the ministry for mot use but there are a few companies you can buy from. The newer stuff is all linked up to the dvsa system now and you pay think its around £1-£2 per mot slot you buy. We go through about 20 slots a day between the 2 brands. carlove said:
I can't imagine giving my car to somebody to work on and it being dirty, in fact it's looking spotless this evening now, not taken any time to clean the car properly for months now, quite pleased with myself.
To me it's like going to the dentist, you're going to have a good brush before going to the dentist, or the hairdresser; you wash your hair before going to the hairdresser. I wash my car before taking it to the garage. I see it as common courtesy, I was surprised when my friend disagreed, I thought most people dropped their cars off clean. Can't imagine leaving used masks around, that's just gross, I'd refuse too.
Had one today crap everywhere boot full of sTo me it's like going to the dentist, you're going to have a good brush before going to the dentist, or the hairdresser; you wash your hair before going to the hairdresser. I wash my car before taking it to the garage. I see it as common courtesy, I was surprised when my friend disagreed, I thought most people dropped their cars off clean. Can't imagine leaving used masks around, that's just gross, I'd refuse too.
t no masks this time but the inside was gross. Some people are disgusting, I know my car isn't super clean being used to move stuff up to my new stuff and take stuff to the tip etc but still if I were to take it in for someone else to mot or work on it would be cleaned. I was tempted to put a advisory down saying clean the inside next time please but thought better of it.MG CHRIS said:
I think if you stayed open last april and may you should just about keep enough coming through but if you were closed (main dealer) for me think it might be harder but yet too see what happens. September onwards is going to be nuts though I recon.
We closed for six weeks as everyone stayed at home or cancelled but I am still confident we will do six or so a day, I really don't want to think about September, flat out every day, no time for lunch, testing before I could get my coat off to try and get through them...Slow said:
If you were to do a mot on a unregistered car would you be more or less strict on the car?
Needs mot to be registered obviously. Makes it harder to road test to find any issues like poor brakes/worn suspension etc.
Exactly the same as any other test, I have done loads of imports (American). No road test on a standard MOT and the brake rollers will soon hunt down faults (even suspension)Needs mot to be registered obviously. Makes it harder to road test to find any issues like poor brakes/worn suspension etc.
MG CHRIS said:
Had one today crap everywhere boot full of st no masks this time but the inside was gross. Some people are disgusting, I know my car isn't super clean being used to move stuff up to my new stuff and take stuff to the tip etc but still if I were to take it in for someone else to mot or work on it would be cleaned. I was tempted to put a advisory down saying clean the inside next time please but thought better of it.
That's awful, I've no idea how people can comfortably drop their car off in such a state, I'd be so embarrassed. Although when I picked it up I realised I left my McDonalds coffee cup in the cupholder, don't think that's the end of the world though. Anyway it passed with only an advisory (well two) on the front tyre tread. I'm not saying it passed because I cleaned it, but maybe it helped t no masks this time but the inside was gross. Some people are disgusting, I know my car isn't super clean being used to move stuff up to my new stuff and take stuff to the tip etc but still if I were to take it in for someone else to mot or work on it would be cleaned. I was tempted to put a advisory down saying clean the inside next time please but thought better of it.
We are 8 tests a day and booked up solid for the next two weeks and we are still turning them away. We closed April and May too, these might be slightly quieter this year, we know some customers still got the cars Mot'd elsewhere so I would expect them to return this year although Sept/Oct should still be busy.
Depending on what happens with holidays and schools July and August can go either way, its probably going to be the normal mad rush, i;m going away on my holidays tomorrow, can you mot, service and fit 4 tyres today ....
Depending on what happens with holidays and schools July and August can go either way, its probably going to be the normal mad rush, i;m going away on my holidays tomorrow, can you mot, service and fit 4 tyres today ....
Athlon said:
Slow said:
If you were to do a mot on a unregistered car would you be more or less strict on the car?
Needs mot to be registered obviously. Makes it harder to road test to find any issues like poor brakes/worn suspension etc.
Exactly the same as any other test, I have done loads of imports (American). No road test on a standard MOT and the brake rollers will soon hunt down faults (even suspension)Needs mot to be registered obviously. Makes it harder to road test to find any issues like poor brakes/worn suspension etc.
Slow said:
Athlon said:
Slow said:
If you were to do a mot on a unregistered car would you be more or less strict on the car?
Needs mot to be registered obviously. Makes it harder to road test to find any issues like poor brakes/worn suspension etc.
Exactly the same as any other test, I have done loads of imports (American). No road test on a standard MOT and the brake rollers will soon hunt down faults (even suspension)Needs mot to be registered obviously. Makes it harder to road test to find any issues like poor brakes/worn suspension etc.
1. Why is a lightly buckled wheel an MOT fail? We have pot holes. It wasn’t leaking air. You couldn’t even tell it had been hit unless you spent half hour trying to find the damage. Failed for: road wheel distortion.
2. Why is an engine cover on considered an advisory?
3. Do headlights randomly go off alignment? BMW 330d where you have to lift the bonnet to access screws to adjust the lights. Adjusted by BMW as they were off.
4. Does anyone regulate the industry when it comes to discrepancies? For example the engine cover.
2. Why is an engine cover on considered an advisory?
3. Do headlights randomly go off alignment? BMW 330d where you have to lift the bonnet to access screws to adjust the lights. Adjusted by BMW as they were off.
4. Does anyone regulate the industry when it comes to discrepancies? For example the engine cover.
Super_G said:
1. Why is a lightly buckled wheel an MOT fail? We have pot holes. It wasn’t leaking air. You couldn’t even tell it had been hit unless you spent half hour trying to find the damage. Failed for: road wheel distortion.
2. Why is an engine cover on considered an advisory?
3. Do headlights randomly go off alignment? BMW 330d where you have to lift the bonnet to access screws to adjust the lights. Adjusted by BMW as they were off.
4. Does anyone regulate the industry when it comes to discrepancies? For example the engine cover.
1: it isn't, it needs to be bad to fail, usually on the inside lip that goes, if it looks like it won't hold onto the tyre it will fail, Fiesta's often have square wheels! They still pass with an advise2. Why is an engine cover on considered an advisory?
3. Do headlights randomly go off alignment? BMW 330d where you have to lift the bonnet to access screws to adjust the lights. Adjusted by BMW as they were off.
4. Does anyone regulate the industry when it comes to discrepancies? For example the engine cover.
2: Engine covers can stop us seeing fuel lines and wiring etc, ass covering exercise by the tester, I mention undertrays on some cars, especially A class Mercedes where you can't see the lethally rotten brake pipes
3: Yes, strangely enough they can, I have cars I test every year and occasionally they have moved, also a bulb change can alter the pattern..
4: yes of course, they will be the DVSA, ask for a form from the station if you want to dispute the test although I am not sure you can complain about an advise as it will have been issued for a reason, not to ruin your perfect history coz we really don't care about stuff like that!
Super_G said:
1. Why is a lightly buckled wheel an MOT fail? We have pot holes. It wasn’t leaking air. You couldn’t even tell it had been hit unless you spent half hour trying to find the damage. Failed for: road wheel distortion.
2. Why is an engine cover on considered an advisory?
3. Do headlights randomly go off alignment? BMW 330d where you have to lift the bonnet to access screws to adjust the lights. Adjusted by BMW as they were off.
4. Does anyone regulate the industry when it comes to discrepancies? For example the engine cover.
1. Slightly buckled isn't a fail, that's discretion. Depends how buckled it really is2. Why is an engine cover on considered an advisory?
3. Do headlights randomly go off alignment? BMW 330d where you have to lift the bonnet to access screws to adjust the lights. Adjusted by BMW as they were off.
4. Does anyone regulate the industry when it comes to discrepancies? For example the engine cover.
2. I would never advise an engine cover, pointless advisory you can obviously see it has and engine cover why advise it!
3. As suspension settle/wears or bulbs been replaced it make require a tweak. Lost count of times I've seen people check and adjust them then jack it up and find a broken Spring, then not recheck/adjust after repair.
4. Yes dvsa
Athlon said:
Slow said:
Athlon said:
Slow said:
If you were to do a mot on a unregistered car would you be more or less strict on the car?
Needs mot to be registered obviously. Makes it harder to road test to find any issues like poor brakes/worn suspension etc.
Exactly the same as any other test, I have done loads of imports (American). No road test on a standard MOT and the brake rollers will soon hunt down faults (even suspension)Needs mot to be registered obviously. Makes it harder to road test to find any issues like poor brakes/worn suspension etc.
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