The ask an MOT tester thread

The ask an MOT tester thread

Author
Discussion

InitialDave

11,853 posts

118 months

Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
sparkythecat said:
What do you think of this advisory?
It's November, that should be a fail.

Wilmslowboy

4,188 posts

205 months

Thursday 14th November 2019
quotequote all
Why did the MOT chap refuse to test my wife's car, suggesting he would have to fail it outright as it had no catalytic convector fitted ?

It is a KIT car, based on a 1972 Bettle, built and registered in 2012, passed its's last 4 MOTs no problem,

Says on the V5 something along the lines of 'Visual emissions check only'


Was he right, over zealous, or just wrong ??






Athlon

Original Poster:

4,998 posts

205 months

Thursday 14th November 2019
quotequote all
Wilmslowboy said:
Why did the MOT chap refuse to test my wife's car, suggesting he would have to fail it outright as it had no catalytic convector fitted ?

It is a KIT car, based on a 1972 Bettle, built and registered in 2012, passed its's last 4 MOTs no problem,

Says on the V5 something along the lines of 'Visual emissions check only'


Was he right, over zealous, or just wrong ??





He has made a mistake. This is why we refer to the manual if unsure, everything is there if you look.


Kit cars
Kit cars and amateur-built vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1998 must have either Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) or Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA).

You must test kit cars or amateur built vehicles to the limits in the vehicle’s registration document (V5c). If the V5c does not show any limits, you must test it to the limits of the engine fitted at the time of the SVA or IVA test.

Sir Bagalot

6,463 posts

180 months

Friday 15th November 2019
quotequote all
stevemcs said:


Early this year we had a Subaru Impreza in .... they had just purchased it and wanted it looking over, it had a valid MOT certificate, we wouldn't let it leave ... it took 2 months for the dealer to send us a replacement ... It was classed as an advisory on the MOT, its the front suspension subframe.
Someone I knew said this was common practice at the MOT testers he used for dodgy MOTs.

Pass it but list as an advisory. That covered the tester (the person I knew was a home trader).

Dodgy MOT tester became unstuck when he passed a car with dodgy MOT that another home trader then sold to a..... MOT tester. VOSA were involved in that one

Ar63

120 posts

65 months

Friday 15th November 2019
quotequote all
What's your take on 'no pass no fee' MOT centres? Are they frowned upon?

Athlon

Original Poster:

4,998 posts

205 months

Friday 15th November 2019
quotequote all
Ar63 said:
What's your take on 'no pass no fee' MOT centres? Are they frowned upon?
I have no issue with them personally but I can't see how they make it pay!!

BrotherMouzone

3,169 posts

173 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
quotequote all
Hi,

Would fitting a tow hook like the one below, be ok for MOT?

Thanks


pringle1988

242 posts

183 months

Thursday 21st November 2019
quotequote all
Good afternoon all,

I have found a car im interested in purchasing or finding out more info. Looking at the pictures and the description it has had the front end made up of a tube construction and FRP wings. Would this be an issue come MOT time? Im unsure as to what extent this sort of work can be carried out before needing it approved and tested etc.

The car is a Nissan Skyline GTST (probably been a rust fest). I can link the ebay advert if required?

Thank you.

The Mad Monk

10,474 posts

116 months

Thursday 21st November 2019
quotequote all
pringle1988 said:
The car is a Nissan Skyline GTST (probably been a rust fest). I can link the ebay advert if required?

.
Yes please.

pringle1988

242 posts

183 months

Thursday 21st November 2019
quotequote all
Not to every bodies tastes but seems to have had some full body restoration work.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Skyline-R33-GTST...

InitialDave

11,853 posts

118 months

Thursday 21st November 2019
quotequote all
Normally that would need an IVA for the structural changes... But was the work done before it was imported? Wonder how that would change things?

Athlon

Original Poster:

4,998 posts

205 months

Thursday 21st November 2019
quotequote all
The MOT and construction and use are two separate things, We can pass cars that are technically illegal if that makes sense?

If it meets the MOT standard (which is poor..) then it should pass, we don't know how every car is made, that is for the IVA lot and the DVSA to worry about!

pringle1988

242 posts

183 months

Thursday 21st November 2019
quotequote all
Many thanks InitialDave and Athlon. I appreciate the responses.

I'm not sure when the work was done but my gut feeling is to maybe avoid and wait for a tidy more standard example (going to be a long wait). Prefer not to risk buying a car then it needing IVA etc.

Makes sense about passing the MOT based on the vehicle as it stands rather than knowing the ins and outs of its construction.

Again thanks for the replies.

AdeTuono

7,240 posts

226 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
quotequote all
BrotherMouzone said:
Hi,

Would fitting a tow hook like the one below, be ok for MOT?

Thanks

Does your car break down a lot?

cheesesliceking

1,571 posts

239 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
quotequote all
AdeTuono said:
Does your car break down a lot?
NSIS but. Track car maybe...??

Little Pete

1,513 posts

93 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
quotequote all
pringle1988 said:
Good afternoon all,

I have found a car im interested in purchasing or finding out more info. Looking at the pictures and the description it has had the front end made up of a tube construction and FRP wings. Would this be an issue come MOT time? Im unsure as to what extent this sort of work can be carried out before needing it approved and tested etc.

The car is a Nissan Skyline GTST (probably been a rust fest). I can link the ebay advert if required?

Thank you.
I’d agree with Initial Dave and Athlon on this.
Cars like this are a headache for MOT testers because there is a lot of grey area around modified vehicles. Some years ago I had a road legal Mini rally car in for an engine rebuild that had a one piece front end. My local VE-back when we had such a thing- called in and even he said he was glad he wasn’t testing it!

zippyonline

354 posts

165 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019
quotequote all
So I had my MOT the other day (BMW E91) , and got "Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))" as an advisory. Thought that was odd as I've had the car several years, do all the work on it myself and know it quite well - nothing has changed and it's never been mentioned before. Had a closer look myself and it does come up when you put the key in the slot (not when you press the start/stop button - which is admittedly probably more what you expect) and all is fine....

I guess I can't get the history altered to reflect reality?

Athlon

Original Poster:

4,998 posts

205 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019
quotequote all
zippyonline said:
So I had my MOT the other day (BMW E91) , and got "Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))" as an advisory. Thought that was odd as I've had the car several years, do all the work on it myself and know it quite well - nothing has changed and it's never been mentioned before. Had a closer look myself and it does come up when you put the key in the slot (not when you press the start/stop button - which is admittedly probably more what you expect) and all is fine....

I guess I can't get the history altered to reflect reality?
Sadly you can't change that one..It will disappear next year though and it is an advise only so nowt to worry about

washingitagain

2,734 posts

56 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019
quotequote all
I don't think anyone answered about the tow hook. I'd be interested to know. Can't imagine it's very pedestrian friendly even at low speeds.

Athlon

Original Poster:

4,998 posts

205 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019
quotequote all
washingitagain said:
I don't think anyone answered about the tow hook. I'd be interested to know. Can't imagine it's very pedestrian friendly even at low speeds.
Not testable. If it has sharp edges it may be looked at a bit closer but as before, we don't do construction and use, we test to a minimum standard.