MOT failure - options and advice

jitters

Hmmm. I've just looked back through all my garage invoices and I had both the OS and NS rear shock absorbers replaced in sept '08! What is the average service life of shocks - ball park?

Another quick question (sorry), what actally happens during the MOT retest? Does the mechanic just check to ensure the work on the fail notice has been carried out? Or do they do both the fail and the advosiry stuff or is it an actual entire retest?

adouglasmhor

funny enough I had the same thing replacing in mar 08 and mar 09, hopefully we both got the same snyde batch and it's going to last longer this time.

jimdog

adouglasmhor wrote: »

And when his tyres wear unevenly needing replacement sooner or his car slews when braking, how will that save money?

I got the impression that the OP is to sell the car and is not employed - and was asking for money saving advice for now, this minute....

adouglasmhor

jimdog wrote: »

I got the impression that the OP is to sell the car and is not employed - and was asking for money saving advice for now, this minute....

That's Ok then it will be someone else's problem :rolleyes: - if he decides to sell, that is undecided as yet.

adouglasmhor

jitters wrote: »

Hmmm. I've just looked back through all my garage invoices and I had both the OS and NS rear shock absorbers replaced in sept '08! What is the average service life of shocks - ball park?

Another quick question (sorry), what actally happens during the MOT retest? Does the mechanic just check to ensure the work on the fail notice has been carried out? Or do they do both the fail and the advosiry stuff or is it an actual entire retest?

Usualy just check the fail notice stuff is up to scratch.

Premier_2

jitters wrote: »

...Another quick question (sorry), what actally happens during the MOT retest? Does the mechanic just check to ensure the work on the fail notice has been carried out? Or do they do both the fail and the advosiry stuff or is it an actual entire retest?

There are some limited items where a re-test can involve just checking the repaired items (plus anything affected by that repair) - I think the tyre may fall into that class.
When only the repaired item is checked, the maximum cost of the re-test is 50% of the full price. Whilst this fee cannot be exceeded, the Tester may conduct a full re-inspection if at the Tester’s discretion it is deemed necessary.

However, the suspension and brakes items are not on the excepted list afaik, so require full retest anyway.

jitters

Retest booked for tomorrow - fingers crossed!

Jitters wrote:

What is the average service life of shocks - ball park?

Look, I've quoted myself. Would be interested to know this, or is it a "how long is a piece of string" situation?

Thanks everyone.

Inactive

jitters wrote: »

Retest booked for tomorrow - fingers crossed!



Look, I've quoted myself. Would be interested to know this, or is it a "how long is a piece of string" situation?

Thanks everyone.

Good luck.

It is " a piece of string " job, it depends on the quality of the original components and the way the vehicle is driven, if someone drives over speed bumps and level crossings at speed on a regular basis, they obviously are not going to last too long.

Premier_2

The lifespan of a shock absorber really is hard to predict and depends greatly on how the vehicle is being used, the load the vehicle carries, the driving driving style and the road conditions.

They could fail after a few thousand miles, but 20,000 - 50,000 would be more typical.

Having said that, some shocks last the entire life of the vehicle which could be in excess of 150,000 miles

jeannieblue

Premier wrote: »

It may make more financial sense in the short term, but when you factor in the dangers of unmatched shocks (e.g. increased braking distance, increased risk of skidding, uneven/oscillating headlight level causing dazzle to on-coming drivers, less control when cornering, etc) together with the increase wear put on other components, especially tyres, you'll see it's not a very good idea long term.

Always replace shocks as a matched pair, especially if they are worn.

So you are saying, basically, that it is dangerous to only replace the one? You are not going into the scenario of the fuel tanker and coach full of children too are you?? :rotfl: