MOT - Headlamp Alignment - Warning!

harveybobbles

they have to fail a certain number of cars each month, even if the car doesn't actually need anything - such as a duff light etc...

Inactive

harveybobbles wrote: »

they have to fail a certain number of cars each month, even if the car doesn't actually need anything - such as a duff light etc...

How can the fail a car on a " duff light " if the light is functioning?

Just another urban myth IMO.

roddydogs

"Let a few minor fails" Thru, let a "Broken Spring" thru? what garages are these? they could lose their licenses, also the "6 month" bit........any failures are registered on the DVLA computer, so a prospective buyer could find this out.

Gordon861

Best thing to do when your car is approaching the time of year for an MOT is to use that as a reminder to get the thing serviced, or do it yourself. If you are getting the car serviced at a garage use one that also does MOTs, they then probably won't charge you to adjust the headlights.

Then again, adjusting headlights is not exactly the hardest thing to do. On most modern cars you don't even need to get out of the car in order to pass an MOT. What most people don't realise is that the MOT stations have to test the car in the condition that you give it to them in, so if you have used the adjuster inside the car to move the beam that is the setting they will use.

So before you go for your MOT:
1. Take your car to your local out of town shopping center car park in the dark.
2. Find a blank wall that you can park about 20m away from, facing the wall.
3. Turn on lights towards the wall.
4. Use the adjuster to point the headlights to a bit below horizontal. Pointing up is an automatic fail for the MOT.
(In the UK they should also point slightly to the left but that won't be a problem unless you've had an accident.)
5. Job done headlights will pass MOT.

Make sure the car isn't carrying extra weight in the back when adjusting the headlights and try to find a flat location to adjust them in. This will also only work on cars that haven't had any crashes to the front that have bent the headlight mountings, in which case look at the manual.

harveybobbles

Inactive wrote: »

How can the fail a car on a " duff light " if the light is functioning?

Just another urban myth IMO.

i'm just saying that most places will fail a car for something that it didnt fail on - just to make sure that they fail enough cars each month to keep VOSA happy.

Bulbs and light adjustment are the easiest things to fail something on. Even if they are fully functioning.

If the MOT p[lace passed every car then VOSA would be on their back. where as if they fail the odd one or two then it keeps them happy...

jeannieblue

harveybobbles wrote: »

i'm just saying that most places will fail a car for something that it didnt fail on - just to make sure that they fail enough cars each month to keep VOSA happy.

Bulbs and light adjustment are the easiest things to fail something on. Even if they are fully functioning.

If the MOT p[lace passed every car then VOSA would be on their back. where as if they fail the odd one or two then it keeps them happy...

Harveybooblies..

I generally agree with you - but you are talking absolute rubbish! We do not have to fail a certain amount a month! That is codswallop! Media hype if you ask me!

If a car fails, it fails - if it passes, it passes. No amount of VOSA inspectors sitting outside our premises monitoring us all day all week all year would change that. The MOT guys have to do the test correctly and by passing or failing a car incorrectly would get themselves into serious trouble which is why they stick by the book and do not waver from it. Anyone who does, is risking their livelihood. It's not worth it.

goldspanners

Gordon861 wrote: »

Then again, adjusting headlights is not exactly the hardest thing to do. On most modern cars you don't even need to get out of the car in order to pass an MOT. What most people don't realise is that the MOT stations have to test the car in the condition that you give it to them in, so if you have used the adjuster inside the car to move the beam that is the setting they will use.

yes but if one is out of line it will still need adjusting at the actual light unit, if you adjust the height of your beam then via the lighting controls you move both headlights.
i would rather both my headlights were adjusted properly and the adjuster switch was only used to adjust beam height according to vehcile weight as required. and also safe in the knowledge im not dazzling oncoming motorists with one headlight too high.

jeannieblue

goldspanners wrote: »

yes but if one is out of line it will still need adjusting at the actual light unit, if you adjust the height of your beam then via the lighting controls you move both headlights.
i would rather both my headlights were adjusted properly and the adjuster switch was only used to adjust beam height according to vehcile weight as required. and also safe in the knowledge im not dazzling oncoming motorists with one headlight too high.

Its not rocket science is it? If we are MOT'ing and find headlight out of adjustment, or wipers need replacing or a bulb blown - we go ahead and do it. Anything else, we contact the customer. We charge for the parts in those instances - no labour.

The ministry are constantly watching and observing - sometimes just around the corner with their laptops... you have to go by the book if you have any sense. Even tho we get b*llocked at times by the customers for failing on points that they deem as stupid. But we don't make the rules.......... but its us that take the flak.

Volcano

harveybobbles wrote: »

i'm just saying that most places will fail a car for something that it didnt fail on - just to make sure that they fail enough cars each month to keep VOSA happy.

That's what the MOT place near me does too.

SUESMITH_2

harveybobbles wrote: »

i'm just saying that most places will fail a car for something that it didnt fail on - just to make sure that they fail enough cars each month to keep VOSA happy.

Bulbs and light adjustment are the easiest things to fail something on. Even if they are fully functioning.

If the MOT p[lace passed every car then VOSA would be on their back. where as if they fail the odd one or two then it keeps them happy...

what a load of total rubbish, oh is an mot inspector (btw thats all he does, they do no repairs where he works) and that is not true. they are so highly monitored now you would not believe it
he will adjust headlights for free and also help with bulbs if he can but thats cos he's a nice person

give me proof of what you have alleged, oh sorry you can't as its an urban myth