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Warning lights on? Your car will fail its MOT test
Among other new MOT rules this requirement came into effect on 1 January 2012 but will be implemented in April 2012.
When I went for my MOT the other day I had a Traction Control indicator light permanently on, which has been like that for 2 years it was an add on feature which if working properly I could turn on or off anyway as it does not effect ABS system. I was advised that if this light is on at next year's MOT it will fail even though the traction control is not needed. The cost...£1,800 to fix and I can only get the part from main dealer.
I know that these lights are important and if functioning correctly, they can let you know if there is a safety risk but is this a much needed improvement or a route to more rip offs?
For a Garage to investigate a warning light, the first thing there would be is a £35+ charge for a diagnostic check, then additional rectification costs depending on what that revealed.
Would your car pass these new MOT rules?
When I went for my MOT the other day I had a Traction Control indicator light permanently on, which has been like that for 2 years it was an add on feature which if working properly I could turn on or off anyway as it does not effect ABS system. I was advised that if this light is on at next year's MOT it will fail even though the traction control is not needed. The cost...£1,800 to fix and I can only get the part from main dealer.
I know that these lights are important and if functioning correctly, they can let you know if there is a safety risk but is this a much needed improvement or a route to more rip offs?
For a Garage to investigate a warning light, the first thing there would be is a £35+ charge for a diagnostic check, then additional rectification costs depending on what that revealed.
Would your car pass these new MOT rules?
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Comments
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I think this is aimed at getting a lot of cars off the road myself. I heard a rumour from an ex boss who worked in the banking industry and had connections that the government were intending to make a run against the motorist for fuel, road safety and anything else they could think of before switching support to electric vehicles.
Whether or not that is true I've no idea but petrol has gone up by a staggering amount since and now the MOT is becoming stricter. Coincidence? - With an english government I doubt it. They're always playing some underhand tactic against the population of some country somewhere.0 -
Just put a small switch in between the wiring for the bulb, or remove the bulb, or if the bulb is checked upon startup with other dash lights(isn't on mine) then link it to the oil pressure light so it goes off as soon as started. Might require some dismantlement of the dash, or it might just be case of finding the sender wire. Either way, a lot cheaper than £1800. Unless you're a sh*t driver, then TT disabled won't be dangerous.0
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There maybe a fuse controlling just the TC - removing that may disable the warning light. However, if the fuse for the TC also controls the ABS, DO NOT REMOVE IT."You were only supposed to blow the bl**dy doors off!!"0
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I was told exactly the same thing when I took my car in for its MOT last week. The MIL has been on for the last 3 years and I have spent a small fortune trying to trace the cause. The car runs fine but an inter-web search tells me that it is a common fault with that make & model with that engine size in that year.
All MOT'd & insured for another year, but time for a new car methinks.:cool:£2 Savers Club 2016 #21 £14/£250
£2 Savers Club 2015 #8 £250£200 :j
Proud to be an OU graduate :j :j
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain0 -
maninthestreet wrote: »However, if the fuse for the TC also controls the ABS, DO NOT REMOVE IT.
Why? - For an MOT it would be ok.
One of my former cars even had a switch fitted by its previous owner to turn off traction control completely with no harm done.0 -
TrickyWicky wrote: »Why? - For an MOT it would be ok.
If the traction control shares the same circuit as the ABS, then there is the risk of braking issues.
TBH if the warning light is on, and it's a fault with the light, and NOT the car, then I'd be tempted to just pull the bulb.
***Makes mental note to get my car booked in for MOT well before the end of March0 -
My TC/ABS light came on a couple of years ago. The speedo needle also dropped out. Sent the ABS control module away and got it repaired by a firm in Ilkeston, cost me £125 inc P&P.
http://www.ecutesting.com/ecu_testing__exchange___repair.html
If it's just the ABS/TC light and the speedo still works it may be a wheel speed sensor.
The quote for a new ABS pump/controller will be ridiculous.I am a mortgage broker. You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a Mortgage Adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice. Please do not send PMs asking for one-to-one-advice, or representation.0 -
Back on topic, I was warned last August that the airbag warning light which is illuminated on my Mum's Punto would be an MOT fail this year.
Time to start digging around under the seats, I guess.I am a mortgage broker. You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a Mortgage Adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice. Please do not send PMs asking for one-to-one-advice, or representation.0 -
We've got a "check engine" light that is on permanently. It doesn't do or mean anything according to the garage. So will this fail too?"One day I realised that when you are lying in your grave, it's no good saying, "I was too shy, too frightened."
Because by then you've blown your chances. That's it."0
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