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MOT today, “bizarre”


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Hi All

Just returned from getting my 1971 Tr6 through its MOT. 

I’ve been using the same garage for this annual ritual for 20 years,and I’m glad to say the car has never failed. Today when I returned I discovered the place had changed hands, I was faced with new tester fresh from passing his MOT training course . 

It didn’t start well, he thought there was too much play in the steering, however eventually agreed that it was probably just about ok. Then on to my main worry, the front wheel bearings. Yes he thought there was too much play there as well. 

Next he checked over the chassis, and then told me the system was telling his to check the exhaust hydrocarbon level. Well I said for years this had always been just a visual examination.Anyway he hooked it up and the level seemed to be outside the range as the figure turned red, however once it finished it said it had passed. 

At this stage I wasn’t sure what was going on, then he told me that was it done, and the car had passed with and advisory for the wheel bearings and steering.

So no check on  Brakes ,Lights, Rear hubs, Horn, Wipers Washers, Seatbelts, etc.

So what’s going on.I was so taken aback,I just paid up, and left, didn’t really have an opportunity to question the process.

Is this some cut down MOT for cars that are exempt, or does this guy not know what he’s doing.

I’ve checked the government website and its all there,Passed with advisories.

Any thoughts?

Cameron

 

          

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I think I would double check the steering and front wheel bearings just to be sure, do the other safety/maintenance checks myself and find another testing station next year.

The wheel bearing thing is pretty common, they are not expecting to see end float in those bearings. There really should not be any slop in the steering but worn column bushes can make it look like the steering itself is wonky.

Stan

 

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I take my 'MOT exempt" cars for MOT at a local garage and I was very disturbed the first time I took them in there when the tester happily passed me my MOT certificate with  the comment   ' well thats no surprise as they are MOT exempt I can't really fail them can I ! ' 

I explained my very reason for having the cars Mot'd was that although I do regular safety checks on the cars I wanted a second pair of eyes to mark my home work, since the time they have been very diligent in the MOT process but still luckily for me no fails ! 

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Lube your trunnions, shoot some grease into the steering box add hole, grease the ball joints, repack your front wheel bearings and set the castle nut to specs.

 

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He didnt have a clue what he was doing by the sound of it, Im lucky as there are a couple of garages around here that do understand old cars. My tester applies the same test as a modern pretty much but allows me to observe the whole thing by his side and he does understand trunnions and fly off handbrakes and also foot operated dipswitches too.

Stuart.

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I take my TR 20 miles away for it’s MOT’s, as I did with my E-type & Stag previously, the tester owns a TR3 and is younger than me, hopefully he’ll be in business throughout my classic ownership!

Ian

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This is the reason I stopped taking the TR6 to MOT’s once it wasn’t needed, as it’s a gamble to trust the second pair of eyes I will do it myself, at least I will try to do the best I can.

 

 

Magnus

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9 hours ago, TRseks said:

This is the reason I stopped taking the TR6 to MOT’s once it wasn’t needed, as it’s a gamble to trust the second pair of eyes I will do it myself, at least I will try to do the best I can.

 

 

Magnus

How do you check the brake balance?

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42 minutes ago, Drewmotty said:

How do you check the brake balance?

Obviously you can't unless you take it to a garage, the bizarre MOT above didn't even bother. 

For sure you can detect a side to side imbalance but less so a front to rear, but you can check all the components are working, adjusted, not leaking, seized etc. 

Let's not forget the test is one moment in the year, anything can happen after, especially if the car isn't maintained, good for the type of people that wait for a problem to occur. 

If you have or do preventative maintenance, then you'll know the state of important components like the braking system. But for sure by all means get it tested and to have a second opinion, but don't rely on the MOT to tell you the full story. 

Gareth

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3 hours ago, Drewmotty said:

How do you check the brake balance?

I replaced the rear cylinders last year as one was leaking a bit, checked that they worked with braking hard on the road, worked just fine, as long as you feel the brakes are as powerful as normal and it stops in a straight line for me that’s good enough. I also replace the brake fluid every 3 years, when I took the car to MOT’s they never checked if the brake fluid was old, which I found a bit strange, anyway as I said I do my best. Specially regarding brakes as these are crucial for safety.

 

Magnus

Edited by TRseks
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Hi All

Interesting one this and it does highlight an issue. Do testers that have only every tested “modern” cars understand old (or very old) design parameters?

I understand the concern about people not MOT’ing their MOT exempt car. It may mean a car looked after by an averagely competent home mechanic might not see a trained person in say 5 years, which would be a concern. But if, like me, you are responsible there is a way around it.

I will exempt my car, (when its road ready, errr one day) but it will get my local guy, (specialist dealer, MOT station and big enthusiast) to give my car an MOT standard inspection, but not an actual MOT so it can’t fail as such. But I will still get some professional feedback on its mechanical state. Costs are about the same as an MOT at around sixty quid, but at least they can get it up on the ramps and have a good poke about.

But you've got to find someone that is knowledgeable.

Cheers

Keith

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On 5/22/2019 at 2:50 PM, iani said:

I take my TR 20 miles away for it’s MOT’s, as I did with my E-type & Stag previously, the tester owns a TR3 and is younger than me, hopefully he’ll be in business throughout my classic ownership!

Ian

That will be Lutterworth MoT Centre? It's where I take my classics for an annual check on my workmanship. James (TR3 owner) and Michael (into 80s VWs and Peugeots) are top guys.

Nigel

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10 hours ago, Nigel Triumph said:

That will be Lutterworth MoT Centre? It's where I take my classics for an annual check on my workmanship. James (TR3 owner) and Michael (into 80s VWs and Peugeots) are top guys.

Nigel

No, Blasons Garage in Brixworth.

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