What would the MOT tester be looking in the front for?

[Rich H]

Just got a call from the MOT tester trying to work out how to get under the front bonnet, what would he be in there for? Body mounts?

I never thought to ask but will later...

[Bibs]

Brake fluid level? Make sure you tell him not to slam the bonnet closed, that's a hell of a repair if he snaps the catches off...

/Voice of experience.

[Rich H]

Hmm... good point, I did point him at the owners manual on the passenger seat though!

Too late by now, I'll find out in a bit I suppose...

[Rich H]

Failed on headlamp align (meh) and a front tyre.

Tyre was a surprise loads of tread left, no details yet as I haven't picked it up but thinking about it the front tyres are over 5 years old so it might be crazed or sidewalls.

Edited August 23, 2011 by Rich H

[sailorbob]

Under the bonnet he would be checking that the master cylinder is securely fixed, including when the brake pedal is depressed suddenly.

[Rich H]

Ah OK, thanks.

[silverfrost]

Spare tyre aswell if fitted

[nigeninja]

This must depend on where you take your car cos my MOT guy never looked under the bonnet.

Spare is not part of an MOT test

[Rich H]

Front tyre is my own fault by the look of it... sidewall cut, I saw it and thought it was just a scratch so ignored it but actually it's a bit deeper than that!

Shopping for tyres now...

Edited August 23, 2011 by Rich H

[oneshot]

I agree with Nigel - never looked in the front of mine when testing.

Also one place I took it to opened the rear, looked at the engine cover and said "we are not allowed to remove anything to inspect items so that's ok".

[superdavelotus]

I thought the spare if fitted was inspected to the point that it was there. It's not inspected for tyre wear but if your car came with a spare then it has to be on the car somewhere.

They also need to check washer jet and bottle is not dry. I know someone getting a ticket and 3 points for an empty washer bottle once!

Do they need to check the VIN plate?

David

[Bibs]

No, the spare isn't part of the test unless its external then it's just checked to make sure it's secure.

[Rich H]

I think he was just having a general look around TBH I didn't speak to the tester by the time I got there he'd gone.

The lid was shut properly too so he must have read the book

Reverse light and rear wipers do not have to work.

The tyre has a cut in it, TBH I had noticed it but not how deep it was I'd say it was borderline but fair enough, also I looked at the other side and it's quite badly perished, at the bottom of every groove is a row of cracks. So got a pair of new Toyo Proxies on order and should be fitted today or tomorrow.

Headlamp has been tweaked (I've also left the cover off so he can tweak it some more if he needs to.

Retest should be tomorrow or Friday...!

then jsut need to drive it a bit and swap out the gearbox oil.

Off to Capesthorne House show in Cheshire on Monday with a bit of luck!

[oneshot]

From the Government MOT site:

"The tyres and wheels

Their condition, security, size, type and tread depth. Spare tyres are not inspected."

From the inspection manual

"This inspection applies to

Tyres fitted to the road wheels only.

The vehicle presenter should beinformed when it is noticed that there

is a defective tyre on a spare wheel."

[ramjet]

I thought maybe he didn't know what he was on about and was looking for the engine.

[Rich H]

That was my first thoguht too!

2 new tyres fitted, headlamp adjusted adn booked in for retest tomorrow!

[Mike6]

Unless your servo is mounted in a different position to mine that would be what he was checking ie that it was securely fixed and operating correctly when brakes depressed.

[Rich H]

As long as it passes tomorrow I don't care!

If I get the chance I'll ask him.

[rocket63]

Never had to lift the bonnet.

[Rich H]

seeing as it was shut properly maybe he gave up...

[silverfrost]

This must depend on where you take your car cos my MOT guy never looked under the bonnet.

Spare is not part of an MOT test

Spare tyre is in fact part of the mot test if fitted, If there is one in the car and its damaged below 1.6mm etc it will fail, If one is not in the car it passes.

regards danny R.M.I.T

[Bibs]

Read the link that Dave posted up, the official government website on MOTs, the ones where it says it's not part of the test!

[silverfrost]

Yep seen that bibs, still know its part of the MOT from knowledge, Always used to be and cant see them changing it, I would say that most test stations will fail them unless the customer argued the fact, WEhy carrie something thats defective, if you get a puncture you would be replacing it with a crap tyre and travel on the public highway.

The goverment site needs checking,

Regards danny

[Dunc]

and all brake pipes checked for defects

[Bibs]

Are you sure you're not thinking of Construction and Use Regulations?