MOT tomorrow .... Why is it always nerve racking!!
Discussion
I know what you're saying. You might think your car is in tip top condition and then Booooom - you know that's gonna be a bill. I find it helps if you book it in as early as possible - i.e a month before expiry so you can still potter about if it does throw anything up.
I find it best to get my cars done at an MOT only place too - less chance of someone screwing you for repairs which didn't need doing before you got there.
Good luck with the Cupra
I find it best to get my cars done at an MOT only place too - less chance of someone screwing you for repairs which didn't need doing before you got there.
Good luck with the Cupra
Last week, I was 100% sure my car was going to fail, I "knew" of a few problems on it that'd need fixed, I was just going ahead with the test as confirmation. It sailed through. A few advisories, related to what I thought I knew. I'm getting those fixed on Thursday, no big deal.
It's always nerve-wracking but that's because you actually care which probably means your car is in better nick than most they'll see of that type and age.
It's always nerve-wracking but that's because you actually care which probably means your car is in better nick than most they'll see of that type and age.
I find it interesting that garages get blamed for screwing you out of money for testing your car to a fairly low standard and failing it because it is possibly dangerous to you, your family or others!
If a car fails you can remove it and repair it yourself or have another fix it for you, there is no reason to leave it there.
If a car fails and you think it wrong, appeal, it is a simple process and VOSA don't look lightly on bad tests, a test will take 45 mins to one hour, i have seen appeal tests take two hours or more which if you happen to be the neutral station they decide to use is a right pain.
Prepare your car as best you can, empty washers and headlamps not working will always make us pay extra attention as if you can't be bothered to do these basic essential checks then the rest of the car is more suspect to poor maintenence
If a car fails you can remove it and repair it yourself or have another fix it for you, there is no reason to leave it there.
If a car fails and you think it wrong, appeal, it is a simple process and VOSA don't look lightly on bad tests, a test will take 45 mins to one hour, i have seen appeal tests take two hours or more which if you happen to be the neutral station they decide to use is a right pain.
Prepare your car as best you can, empty washers and headlamps not working will always make us pay extra attention as if you can't be bothered to do these basic essential checks then the rest of the car is more suspect to poor maintenence
There was a time that I felt that way, many years ago when I entrusted the well being of my cars to pros.
Not now, I regard the MoT as my friend as I know my cars will always be near or on the mark. If my regular tester fails any car I know he is not being creative for work. He only does MoTs now. My 620ti failed on the new guideline split boot on the upper front suspension wishbone swivel ball joint. That could lead to a serious failure and could be dangerous at speed.
Simple DIY fix and free retest Pass next day after fitting this replacement I had prepared sometime before as I've had one do this in the past. Exposed to all that road filth over many thousands of miles the rubber becomes perished :~
That was a few weeks ago. I took one of my son's cars for a test today.
My son is tied up with heavy workload and asked me to MoT a car he's had on SORN since it just marginally failed the MoT back last winter on emissions. He'd been working on it a little lately when time allowed and felt it should do OK this time. I was not so confident. Emissions are something often beyond the resources of the average DIYer.
My son has had this on SORN for best past of two years and a friend has shown an interest to buy. It is in very good and well maintained condition and runs well ... but failed the MoT only on emissions. Not been touched for a while. Best part of a year.
Anyway, phoned my friendly MoT tester and he agreed to test it last booking this afternoon and test the emissions first. If it passed to continue with the test or emissions failure stop and think again. Anyway, the emissions soon came up all greens and so the test was completed. It passed with one advisory ~ sticking throttle slow to settle. Lack of regular use is probably the reason for that.
I did however ensure that the Cat and engine was fully warmed on arrival for the pre-booked test appointment with a brisk run down the road for a few miles. That helps emissions.
Whilst up on the ramps during the test, I had a good look under the car. Tester pointed out nearly new exhaust and new suspension dampers all round. No wonder it drove so well for a sixteen year old car.
So an P-Reg Rover 214 lives on.
Talking to my friendly tester as he worked, I spotted a couple of badly worn brake discs on the floor nearby. He had replaced those on a friend's Toyota and went on to say he tested a car recently where one side of the disc had completely worn away through to the ventillations and even one brake pad had completely disappeared. Only the Caliper Piston actually rubbing against the ventillations as the friction surface of the disc completely worn away. Apparently his customer thought the brakes on the car were quite good.
These are the folks we share our roads with. The test flushing out things like that is yet another reason why the MoT is really YOUR friend. Yours may be alright but ....
Here's good advice. I always try to MoT my cars say 2-3 weeks before it is due. That way if something needs doing, time is on my side. Unlike my younger son who in a mild panic, discovered his Rover 25's MoT expires tomorrow ..
Booked it in for 12.30 tomorrow. I keep an eye on my family's cars. For peace of mind mainly. It should be safely OK but, you never know.
EDITed at 23:10 to amend correct pictures and other details.
Not now, I regard the MoT as my friend as I know my cars will always be near or on the mark. If my regular tester fails any car I know he is not being creative for work. He only does MoTs now. My 620ti failed on the new guideline split boot on the upper front suspension wishbone swivel ball joint. That could lead to a serious failure and could be dangerous at speed.
Simple DIY fix and free retest Pass next day after fitting this replacement I had prepared sometime before as I've had one do this in the past. Exposed to all that road filth over many thousands of miles the rubber becomes perished :~
That was a few weeks ago. I took one of my son's cars for a test today.
My son is tied up with heavy workload and asked me to MoT a car he's had on SORN since it just marginally failed the MoT back last winter on emissions. He'd been working on it a little lately when time allowed and felt it should do OK this time. I was not so confident. Emissions are something often beyond the resources of the average DIYer.
My son has had this on SORN for best past of two years and a friend has shown an interest to buy. It is in very good and well maintained condition and runs well ... but failed the MoT only on emissions. Not been touched for a while. Best part of a year.
Anyway, phoned my friendly MoT tester and he agreed to test it last booking this afternoon and test the emissions first. If it passed to continue with the test or emissions failure stop and think again. Anyway, the emissions soon came up all greens and so the test was completed. It passed with one advisory ~ sticking throttle slow to settle. Lack of regular use is probably the reason for that.
I did however ensure that the Cat and engine was fully warmed on arrival for the pre-booked test appointment with a brisk run down the road for a few miles. That helps emissions.
Whilst up on the ramps during the test, I had a good look under the car. Tester pointed out nearly new exhaust and new suspension dampers all round. No wonder it drove so well for a sixteen year old car.
So an P-Reg Rover 214 lives on.
Talking to my friendly tester as he worked, I spotted a couple of badly worn brake discs on the floor nearby. He had replaced those on a friend's Toyota and went on to say he tested a car recently where one side of the disc had completely worn away through to the ventillations and even one brake pad had completely disappeared. Only the Caliper Piston actually rubbing against the ventillations as the friction surface of the disc completely worn away. Apparently his customer thought the brakes on the car were quite good.
These are the folks we share our roads with. The test flushing out things like that is yet another reason why the MoT is really YOUR friend. Yours may be alright but ....
Here's good advice. I always try to MoT my cars say 2-3 weeks before it is due. That way if something needs doing, time is on my side. Unlike my younger son who in a mild panic, discovered his Rover 25's MoT expires tomorrow ..
Booked it in for 12.30 tomorrow. I keep an eye on my family's cars. For peace of mind mainly. It should be safely OK but, you never know.EDITed at 23:10 to amend correct pictures and other details.
Edited by MGJohn on Tuesday 23 October 23:10
Why can't you just buy exhaust hanger brackets?
The CV boot will be MAX £20, plus less than an hour labour to fit.
Where did you get it MOTd??? PULLMYTROUSERSDOWNANDHELPYOURSELF maindealers?
Edit:
CV boot
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&tbm=shop&sc...
Exhaust brackets
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&tbm=shop&sc...
The CV boot will be MAX £20, plus less than an hour labour to fit.
Where did you get it MOTd??? PULLMYTROUSERSDOWNANDHELPYOURSELF maindealers?
Edit:
CV boot
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&tbm=shop&sc...
Exhaust brackets
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&tbm=shop&sc...
Edited by y2blade on Wednesday 24th October 13:34
y2blade said:
Why can't you just buy exhaust hanger brackets?
The CV boot will be MAX £20, plus less than an hour labour to fit.
Where did you get it MOTd??? PULLMYTROUSERSDOWNANDHELPYOURSELF maindealers?
Edit:
CV boot
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&tbm=shop&sc...
Exhaust brackets
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&tbm=shop&sc...
Thanks for the links. The CV boot will be MAX £20, plus less than an hour labour to fit.
Where did you get it MOTd??? PULLMYTROUSERSDOWNANDHELPYOURSELF maindealers?
Edit:
CV boot
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&tbm=shop&sc...
Exhaust brackets
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&tbm=shop&sc...
Edited by y2blade on Wednesday 24th October 13:34
I have found that Kwikfit will supply and fit a CV boot all inc vat fr £50 which isn't bad, not really worth doing that myself.
Just had a new MOT on the '74 MGB, had a little bit of welding done on the jacking point, a little fiddle with the handbrake and new wiper blades. So cost about £60 in all, all ready for next summer 
Last test was 2008 so apart from going in and out of the garage it's not moved much, must use it more
Saxx
Last test was 2008 so apart from going in and out of the garage it's not moved much, must use it more
Saxx
Our 22 year old Mk1 Golf went for an MOT in June. It had sat SORN for 4/5 months after we moved house but it sailed through with 1 advisory for slight corrosion on brake lines.
However, I am now s
tting myself as the Mondeo is due for MOT soon and leading up to Christmas, with the year I've had, something dramatic is going to come out of it. 
However, I am now s
tting myself as the Mondeo is due for MOT soon and leading up to Christmas, with the year I've had, something dramatic is going to come out of it. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff