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MOT almost over with....

tomstickland
tomstickland Posts: 19,538 Forumite
10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
Random MOT update. It's not come at a good time, just after I've bought a flat and then paid the insurance in full.

1990 BMW 318iS, pretty solid car, last year I stuck through the MOT just after buying it and all it needed was a lower bush replacing and one bulb.

This year, my laziness caught up with me LOL. Lots of fails, but mainly just a few main things to sort.

-rear handbrake not working on one rear wheel, insufficient handbrake force
Explanation: i knackered one of the shoes when removing the hubs for the first time, never got round to sorting it. New shoes fitted.

-front brake hose swelling
It was quite shocking actually - there was a bit of Popeye section in one of the hoses. Replaced.

-anti roll bar droplink too much play
Fixed now. I've been meaning to do a complete suspension rebuild, but I'm trying to save money. So the MOT's just allowed me to do things that I was going to do anyway.

-PAS pump not connected.
The rack started leaking so I just binned the belt and ran it without PAS. Felt great. I spent a few hours today fitting a rack from the scrappers (cost me £45, the BMW specialist breakers wanted £85 for one!). New belt fitted.

-One rear fog light not working.
Fixed.

-Headlight alignment incorrect.
The garage will sort that during the retest.

TBH I've enjoyed sorting all the little niggles out and for a total cost of £100 on parts I don't think it's been too painfull. Should work out cheap over the year.

Plus, it's a great car IMO, returning 35mpg even when driven hard, plus plenty of good honest rear wheel drive entertainment.
Happy chappy
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