MOT Question

Conor_3

Keith wrote: »

Why? A chip on a windscreen which isn't a fail according to the MOT testers handbook shouldn't cause an MOT fail.

Because it can lead to a cracked windscreen which costs far more. Lots of faults aren't testable. For example, the oil level isn't tested and neither is the water level. Does that mean it's a good idea to drive around with next to no oil or water in the engine?

If you didn't agree with the diagnosis of a fault would you proceed with the first suggested repair?

No but then again, I'm a qualified mechanic with main dealership experience, not someone who is just unhappy at being told they might have to spend some money.

Keith

Conor wrote: »

Because it can lead to a cracked windscreen which costs far more.

Never mind main dealer experience, you could be an MOT tester with posts like that.

It's survived for over a year with the same chip, so I'll risk another year.

As for:-

not someone who is just unhappy at being told they might have to spend some money.

Damn right I'm not happy, when an MOT tester gets a test so wrong that not one, not two not three but four fail items are missed, whilst another 3 items which should of passed the test are failed I've got good reason to not be happy and question his opinion.

Conor_3

How do you know they were actually testable items in the first place or that they were sufficiently bad to fail?

Did you follow the complaints procedurte, taking the car to VOSA when it failed and you disagreed with the testers opinion?

No, thought not.

Keith

No because the complaint procedure has to be completed within 14 days of the fail, and the worst of the missed items the steering rack being loose wasn't brought to my attention until a further MOT test 2 months later.

Unless of course in the space of 3 miles, both bolts worked their way loose.

The other items unfortunately are down to opinion and not worth appealing, yet if the vehicle had passed the test, it could of been on the road for 13 months with the steering rack barely held in.

And no it wasn't a tester looking for work as he happily fastened it up instead of failing the car.

cyclonebri1

Steady guys, both valid viewpoints but neither can be universal, Yeah?

You must admit there are some very minor MOT failure points and some very major ones. In simplistic terms the car fails the MOT either way.

But compare the car that fails the test on defective/corroded brakes:eek: , to the other that has an illegal number plate, cracked?:wall: :wall: :wall: , or 0.1mg defect on emissions.

Both views are valid.

jeannieblue

molerat wrote: »

Isn't that exactly what keith said, much of the test is subjective. How can he be stricter if there is a "standard".

Ok, may be I fell into that one...

Its just that the guy in question, if he sees a vague sign of corrosion on the pipes then he will fail the vehicle immediately. The others may advise on it. More corrosion, then they would fail it. Its a tough one. But agreed when you have a tester that is paranoid re brakes :eek: its not easy - but better to be safe than sorry he says. I get his point.

jeannieblue

Keith wrote: »

Why? A chip on a windscreen which isn't a fail according to the MOT testers handbook shouldn't cause an MOT fail.

If you didn't agree with the diagnosis of a fault would you proceed with the first suggested repair?

Not picking on you Keith honest, love you really..:smileyhea

Re the windscreen - this is clearer re MOT than anything.

The chip has to be of a certain size and in a certain zone (zone 'A' being in drivers vision) to be a fail. So if they failed it and it was under the size and in zone 'B' for example, then they should be pulled up on that.

If the windscreen is cracked, its a fail.

Keith

I'm not shy, see point 4



The windscreen has a chip, its out of zone a. It has another to the left in the dirty area not swept by the wipers. The tester couldn't believe it.

The tester also laughed at points 2 & 3 as I didn't even touch the wipers. Fail, erm they seem to work well and the jets are wetting the screen.

Amazingly for a car which was in such "poor" condition, aced it's MOT this week I dread to think how much I'd of been charged by Garage A.

Ah well, live and learn. One garage has lost a client and another gained one.

Wig

Can the 2nd MOT tester see the previous fail points? I dunno for sure, but I think they can. I'd be interested to know the correct answer.

Keith

Wig wrote: »

Can the 2nd MOT tester see the previous fail points? I dunno for sure, but I think they can. I'd be interested to know the correct answer.

Nope they can't.

They print a blank test sheet and then enter the pass on the PC. The PC locks whilst the test is in progress, I found an old skool garage and the guy was very good, took me round the car showing what he was testing for.

Instead of 30-40 minutes, it took nearly 90, which was cool as I learned so much from him.

I guess if they, have tested the car before or hold a fail sheet they can raise the fail points via the PC but I guess they are removed after the end of the retest dates.