Another year another MOT

[Danny Hoffman]

The 350i passed first time with a couple of interesting advisories.

Slight play in front wheels bearings - I explained there was supposed to and they said "ah ok then"

Rusty front springs - I only had one rusty one last year :-)

Automatic chassis rust protection - ie slight engine oil leak, been on my to do list for 10+ years

Emissions slightly higher than last year - I normally fill up with normal 95RON instead of super/vpower before the MOT but didn't get a chance this year, handy to know if you're struggling getting your emissions down.

Edited by Danny Hoffman on Tuesday 29th January 14:17

[Wedg1e]

I've never heard an MOT man complain about rusty springs! It's probably a recent introduction seeing as modern cars have springs wound from steel finer than a human hair. Our cars have proper springs that won't rust through even in our grandkids' lifetimes

[RCK974X]

Here in New Zealand we have to get tested every SIX MONTHS, which frankly is a pain in the arse...

[mark387mw]

RCK974X said:

Here in New Zealand we have to get tested every SIX MONTHS, which frankly is a pain in the arse...

...and mine hardly increases in mileage in the 6 months!

[Jack Valiant]

Aha... another govement stealth tax / income stream.... marvellous!

[marcus1875]

There was a whole load of new things meant to go on the MOT in 2012, thanks to our chums in brussels.
The gvt postponed these till 2013, dont know the exact date but i presume the turn of the year.
dont have a link to the new mot pages but a quick google will find them.
marcus

[Danny Hoffman]

At least we don't have to worry about air-bag or anti-lock-brake warning lights

[RCK974X]

The NZ excuse is that we (apparently) have the oldest car fleet in the western world, whatever that means.... For classic cars it's a great place, as NZ does not salt its roads in winter, even in the places that do see snow often. They use animal urea (or derivative thereof) on the state highways instead.

I am amazed to see some stuff like Mk1 and mk2 Cortinas with NO RUST !! and quite a few morris Minors around too, some retrofitted with small Jap twin cams...

They have just changed the rules to be one year for cars made after 2012, but the reasons just seem nuts...

[Wedg1e]

RCK974X said:

The NZ excuse is that we (apparently) have the oldest car fleet in the western world, whatever that means.... For classic cars it's a great place, as NZ does not salt its roads in winter, even in the places that do see snow often. They use animal urea (or derivative thereof) on the state highways instead.

I am amazed to see some stuff like Mk1 and mk2 Cortinas with NO RUST !! and quite a few morris Minors around too, some retrofitted with small Jap twin cams...

They have just changed the rules to be one year for cars made after 2012, but the reasons just seem nuts...

Western? Western?! In case you haven't noticed you're about 9500 miles closer to China than the rest of us 'Westerners'

I think historically you also got some more interesting derivatives of some of Blighty's offerings: I seem to recall odd things like 2.4L and 3.1L Cortinas being available...?

I dread to think what happens to a Minor with a proper engine in an emergency; they could barely stop with the power they had back then! Presumably a brake upgrade from the Sinclair C5 or a disability scooter?