MOT Advice Needed

RichyRich

Hey guys

It's coming up to MOT Time and I'm pretty sure that to pass I'll have to have some work done. There is a rattling coming from the underside of the car that sounds suspiciously like a loose exhaust (despite having work done on it three times since I bought the thing eighteen months ago) which, AFAIK, will fail an MOT.

Here lies the problem - I don't wanna take it to the local council test centre, cos they'll just fail it with no ability to do the repair. I don't know any local trustworthy mechanics (my work takes me round lots of places, I'm in Gateshead at the moment, and maybe not for long, so times to forge friendships with mechanics are limited), and I obviously don't wanna take it to National/Kwik Fit/etc as exhausts are their bread and butter, and I have no doubt they'd flog me a new exhaust even if it only needed a bit of welding.

I don't mind paying for a new exhaust if it's what it needs, but I don't want to if it only needs tightening/welding/etc.

Is there any way around this other than presenting my car at National Tyres, biting my lip, and paying the bill that comes my way?

Many, many thanks in advance
Rich

scubaangel

Can you not take it back to the last garage to work on the exhaust and ask them to check it again?

RichyRich

Because it's 200 miles away

Volcano

RichyRich wrote: »

I don't know any local trustworthy mechanics (my work takes me round lots of places, I'm in Gateshead at the moment, and maybe not for long, so times to forge friendships with mechanics are limited),

Take it to your council MOT place so you can get an honest, no-bias MOT. IF they say (for example) you need a new back box, then take it to Nationwideboys/KwikRip and say "I've just taken my car for its MOT and I've been told I need a new back box. I only want a new back box and nothing else, thanks."

Alternatively, if you know you're going to be in (e.g.) Hull next Friday, ask here for recommendations on garages in Hull, then book it in ahead of time.

RichyRich

Good thinking Volcano, I'll give the council a call tomorrow and get booked in for not the week coming the week after (I'm on holiday this week) - at least I'll only be hit with the retest fee.

Thanks again

Conor_3

A rattling exhaust won't fail the test as long as it doesn't leak and the mounting rubbers aren't shot. Sometimes it can be loose baffles or a heatshield that is rattling and whilst annoying, it'll pass an MOT.

RichyRich

Just a quick one to say thanks all for your help, it failed (but not on the exhaust, on an overheating problem which meant it dumped its coolant and the test had to be abandoned on the emissions test :mad:) but all it needs is a new radiator fan switch and it should fly though on the retest.

Thanks again for your advice!
Rich

hewhoisnotintheknow

my money is on a exhaust heat shield

RichyRich

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

my money is on a exhaust heat shield

I'll let you know when it goes back in

hewhoisnotintheknow

RichyRich wrote: »

I'll let you know when it goes back in

get under there and have a look, if i have anything wrong with my car underneath before i jack it up i pop to an industrial estate and find a big kerb to drive two wheels of the car up onto, makes it really easy to have a look under

I wouldnt run the car for too long if the angle is pretty steep though!