Can car fail an MOT if the battery does not have enough power?

sinar · 30 August 2011 at 9:09AM

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had heard of this before.

My car is just in for an MOT (5 yr old Nissan Micra) and I've been told that I need a new battery as the one on the car will not pass the MOT as it does not have enough power to run all the electrical systems at once.

I've never had any issues with the battery, it's the original battery so it is probably due for a new one anyway, I've just never heard of an MOT failure due to this issue.

Thanks for reading,

Julie

pendulum · 30 August 2011 at 9:14AM

Sounds like bull to me. I think a battery can fail for leaking acid everywhere (don't quote me on it) or being insecure in its holder (again don't quote me) but I know for a fact they don't test their electrical power and as long as its powerful enough to start the car it will be fine for the MoT.

As part of the MoT they don't turn all the electrical systems on at once either.

They're trying to sell you stuff you don't need, almost certainly.

sinar · 30 August 2011 at 9:18AM

Thanks, thats what I'm worried about, they are servicing the car before they MOT it, so maybe thats why they checked.

I can't help but think they want to make more ££, I've never had a single issue with the battery up to now.

Bob_the_Saver · 30 August 2011 at 9:28AM

http://www.motester.co.uk/CarOwnersGuidetoTheMOT.aspx

sinar · 30 August 2011 at 9:28AM

i've just phoned up the garage, and mentioned my concerns to them, and they have said

"The battery is condition is not part of the MOT, but, it is a condition of the MOT that the battery is able to power all electrical items at once"

It does seem contradictory to me.

pendulum · 30 August 2011 at 9:37AM

Rubbish. I'd run a mile from that garage. All they do is check the lights, horn, and start the car for the emissions test. Your battery's almost certainly fine for that if you've not noticed any problems before. It seems they have you down as a mug. I'd take the car elsewhere for the MoT if possible.

vax2002 · 30 August 2011 at 9:41AM

Agree, if the battery is starting the car ok and not going flat then it is fine, it can not deliver Ampage without Voltage, I would find another MOT station, sounds like this one are looking for some easy part swap mark ups.

sinar · 30 August 2011 at 9:42AM

pendulum wrote: »

Rubbish. I'd run a mile from that garage. All they do is check the lights, horn, and start the car for the emissions test. Your battery's almost certainly fine for that if you've not noticed any problems before. It seems they have you down as a mug. I'd take the car elsewhere for the MoT if possible.

Thanks, I can't help think because I"m a middle aged women they might think they can spin me a line, (not trying to be sexist here, maybe I am wrong)

I've printed off a copy of the VT40 test check list and I"m taking it down there now to ask them what on the list is relevant the battery, I can't see anything on the list that should cause my battery to lead to an MOT failure.

steveo3002 · 30 August 2011 at 9:43AM

try it your self ...start the car and put on the headlights and hazzards , if the engine stays on and the lights all work then theres no problem

if the battery is so dead it wont start the car then they are unable to test it

does sound like a scam , might be best to find a more honest garage as they will likley try and find some other fault

interstellaflyer · 30 August 2011 at 9:46AM

I've never seen an MOT tester switch all electrical items on at once so does seem strange, I can see their point if the battery was in such poor state that it would barely turn the engine over as that could be a potential hazzard, on the other hand if they were just looking for work then why a battery? this is a simple DIY task, in fact many places like Halfords will even fit it for you, I wouldn't have thought there would be anything in it for the garage to be honest.

Strider590 · 30 August 2011 at 9:53AM

Could be another fault, like a dodgy ground connection causing dim rear/brake lights and they're just being idiots by assuming it's the battery.

Very old battery though, i'd strongly doubt a 5 year old battery will last another winter. I'd be tempted to by a new one, fit it myself, take it back and say "right where's my certificate?"

Can car fail an MOT if the battery does not have enough power?

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