Accuracy of an MOT brake test - garage having it on?

[blueovercream]

I took my van to my local Kwik Fit for its MOT last week and it failed based on "excessively fluctuating" front brakes (major defect).

The discs and pads were new in June last year and have covered less than 5000 miles. After the test, I took the van to my usual mechanic (very good reputation, a bit more of a faff to get to) who cleaned off some winter grime and confirmed that the discs were in good shape. Repeat test at Kwik Fit, still fluctuating. The guy showed me the test being done - van on rollers, needles on the gauges bouncing as brake pressure applied. He said that with the grime now cleaned off, this can only mean warped discs. He refused to issue an MOT pass.

Took the van back to my my mechanic who MOT'd it with no problem.

My thoughts:
- Would relatively new official VW discs really be defective?
- Surely I would feel MOT failure-worthy brake fluctuation through the pedal
- How reliable is the test described above anyway?

I'm suspecting this is just a way to fleece money from more naive customers. Happy to be convinced otherwise.

Edited by blueovercream on Tuesday 23 February 15:33

[blueovercream]

SuperPav said:

When you changed your discs/pads, did you check your caliper pins/sliders?

I didn't change the discs and pads myself so I'm afraid I don't know if this was done, though I think the mechanic would have checked when he cleaned the brakes up after the first test.

[blueovercream]

PH User said:

What's to say that "your" mechanic is correct to have passed it?

He looks after my Elise, I've known him for years and he's highly regarded in the Lotus community. Granted this is a van, not a Lotus, but I trust him a lot more than I do Kwik Fit.

[blueovercream]

PhillipM said:

Given how they're driven fluctuations are way more likely to be out of round tyres or one with a bulge somewhere.

Possibly but then I'd have thought an MOT test should be able to make this distinction? Plus it would have been noticeable when driving...