M.O.T. roulette - place your bets

[CXRAndy]

What about discs and pads, suspension components such as control arms, bushes etc?

We had the front upper wishbones done under warranty for a redesign issue in year 2 maybe 3, cant remember. The car has never had any pads or discs, there is very little, next to no wear for a car just touching 100,000 miles. The suspension has been fine, no creaks or leaks- no parts.

Car passed its MOT only a few days ago, no advisories. The car has 4 sets of tyres in time so we are averaging around 25k miles per set. The car originally had Pilot Sport, which were not as good as Hankook which we've had for 2 sets now. Tesla themselves now use Hankook as OE fit

 

[Drago]

I think the point of the comment was that you can't automatically assume components won't wear or suffer damage. That is why BMW recommend the annual safety checks so they can eyeball steering and suspension in an unloaded state.

That notwithstanding any e car has the potential to go big mileages while needing little work.

 

[CXRAndy]

I agree, but for those who aren't mechanically knowledgeable or inclined to look ever their vehicles regularly. You can easily keep an ear on vehicle to early signs of problems whilst driving day to day.

 

[Drago]

I'm very adept, but don't have a 2 poster lift to unload my steering and suspension so cannot check for play or component insecurity.

Neither does the average home spanner jockey, no matter how clever they think they are.

 

[CXRAndy]

A good set of axle stands carefully place on the jacking points will allow checks of suspension with a prybar or rocking of wheels for bearing, ball joints check

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Take it to the council, they don't have a financial incentive to fail it.

It used to be the same at the old Hospital (before replacement with the new one), as WYMAS (West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service) had their local workshops on site
They moved out in 2008, the new Hospital opened in 2010, & now based at Birkenshaw, & simply YAS now (covering all 4 counties, as Yorkshire Ambulance Service)

Staff could drop a car in, before starting work (if they weren't open, keys in a secure box) then collect a repaired/MOT tested car later in the day
Equally payment could be taken there & then, or the relevant forms filled out that were sent to payroll (& it deducted over the next couple of months(
Female (& anyone not too mechanically minded) staff were happy to use them, as they felt that they'd not be messed about/charged for mythical issues, as the mechanics were paid for fixing ambulances & cars were secondary to that (& might be delayed in ordered to get an Ambo back on the road)
I used them many a time, as did my wife, when any cars that we had were out of warranty

Plus, if we agreed to replace, if lost/damaged/etc.. whilst in our care, we could borrow tools from the engineers/'works-yard'
In the past, I think I borrowed chainsaw/9" angle-grinder/SDS drill (before I bought my own) & other items

Not any more!!!
I asked if I could have a length of metal conduiting that was going in the skip, only just over a yard of it, & was told "No"
Then again, there's ntot many left from that era, a couple of the 'sparkies' & one of the painters

 

[presta]

Staff could drop a car in, before starting work (if they weren't open, keys in a secure box) then collect a repaired/MOT tested car

If they do repairs that's the incentive to fail it, a local authority VTS doesn't do repairs so there isn't any financial benefit from failing them.

I once collected my car from a service at the garage and they told me it would need a new suspension arm, so I asked how urgent it was. "When's the MOT due", he said, "It'll need doing for that". He looked pretty sheepish when I told him that it had just been done a week ago.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

@presta

No, staffs cars were secondary, & if that did happen (“sorry, but it needs…”) word would quickly spread
Plus a couple of the mechanics were married to staff working there, so they’d get it in the ear at home too

 

[fossyant]

The 14 year old Aygo is in for MOT this morning. Not aware of any issues, lightbulbs all checked. It's done a fair old mileage in the last 12 months as my son used it for work for about 6 months. Will update later. It's one of three Aygo's in, so they took the reg to get the correct one.

 

[fossyant]

It's passed. 19,000 in the last year - gadzooks. Front offside brake binding slightly (advisory) and one of the rear tyres worn but still OK (tester said we'd get a year out of it). Front brake has always done it, but I'll give it a good clean and ensure the pads can slide better - needs a good wire brush I think using the drill.

 

[Alex321]

My wifes car has just had its MOT. Passed.

Mine is going for it in a fortnight.

Our two cars are a month apart on tax (but trivial amounts) and 25 days apart on MOT.