Are road wheels removed for MOT ?

s_b

im afraid if it was me i would cancel the mot because they have no reason to ask for this locking tool as quite rightly pointed out
i think they are looking for work which is against mot test rules too
find a better mot place

masterlumps

alternatively you could ask them why they want you to bring it

Viper_7

Take it..mark the studs. If you find they have removed the wheels. Write to VOSA.

They are not allowed to removed anything, which is why often on the advisory they mark thinks that could not be tested - such as a rear seat belt if you have a child seat fitted.

for me - due to modern designed cars - and under body covers there are lots of visual inspections that now cannot be done - such as checking brake pipe condition etc.

withabix

Believe it or not, some main dealers are actually very honest and will carry out minor adjustments after a 'Fail', in order to re-test and pass without any inconvenience to you or them.

My local Nissan dealer changed my (dodgy) numberplate, adjusted the handbrake and replaced two failed bulbs at my MOT last month. All I had to do was leave the required parts on the passenger seat. No charge.

jimmo

The key for your locking wheelnuts is hardly the sort of thing you would keep in the house and slip it into your jeans pocket every time you go out.
I keep mine in the glovebox which, from a security point of view, is pretty naff but if you keep the key at home, a puncture when you are 5, 10 or 100 miles away from home will be a nightmare.
If you take your car for an MOT or service you really should have the wheelnut key with you just in case you get a puncture on the way.
Leaving your car with the dealership requires an element of trust and our local Vauxhall dealership's appointment letters always include a reminder to bring the wheelnut key with you. They also have a large sign on the door to reception asking "Have you brought your wheelnut key?"
9 times out of 10 I forget about the key and tell the receptionist its in the glovebox.
Standard answers are:
1) They don't need the key for a first service or for an MOT.
2) The receptionist makes a note on the worksheet so the mechanic can find it for himself.
If you distrust your dealership so much that you are not prepared to hand over your wheelnut key just in case they need it then you really need to find another garage.

in_the_Cotswolds

withabix wrote: »

Believe it or not, some main dealers are actually very honest and will carry out minor adjustments after a 'Fail', in order to re-test and pass without any inconvenience to you or them.

My local Nissan dealer changed my (dodgy) numberplate, adjusted the handbrake and replaced two failed bulbs at my MOT last month. All I had to do was leave the required parts on the passenger seat. No charge.

When I used to do MOT's I'd do the same, i.e. put water in the water bottle, replace a bulb. Technically it is a fail but it was easier to put water in/change a bulb than fill in the paperwork.

People moan about getting "ripped off" when they don't even carry out the most basic checks themselves!! How long does it take to check your lights, make sure there is water in the washer bottle, wiper blades are ok and tread on the tyres.

Strider590

I would have put the key in the car somewhere hidden, then told them id forgot it. Then if they call i'd say "oh yeah, it might be in XYZ location"

Viper_7

Any reputable garage would be able to remove the locking nuts without the key anyway; there are many universal tools out there.

Wig

Forget those wheel locks, when you're there buy 4 standard bolts and replace them and throw the lockers away or sell them to some fool on ebay.

Any thief who goes after locked wheels will have a locking stud removal socket anyway.

If they seize up or are over tightened getting the wheel off can cost a lot of money.

You keep the key inside the car to stop thieves from steeling the wheels - how does that make much sense?

No one steals wheel anymore

More trouble than they are worth.

Someone I know had a Volvo V70 which had trouble with locking nuts, when he got the garage (who overtightened the nut) to remove them, he had them replaced (at my suggestion) with standard bolts, 10 years later that car still has its Alloy wheels intact.

And when this person bought a brand new car, he immediately bought 4 standard bolts to replace the lockers with, that was 5 years ago and that car also still has it's wheels intact.

Not surprising really, as wheel theft is practically non existant. And was probably a rare event back in the day when locking nuts were introduced.

[Deleted User]

My sister took the locking wheel nut key out the boot before she took her car to Kwik Fit for the MOT.

My car only has steel wheels and no locking nuts. Can't say I've ever had a wheel stolen.