M.O.T Question?

Uncle_Fester_2

How long does it take? and secondly is it true all cars need to be plugged into the computer and it takes a print out of the stats and sends the info back to the DVLA?

Many Thanks

Exemplar

An average MOT should take between 30-45 minutes once started. I believe that the results are sent to DVLA, but only pass/fail.

Tallymanjohn

It takes a minimum of 30 minutes (if it's any shorter then the DVLA computer tells off the examiner! The car isn't 'plugged in' except that a pipe is fed into the exhaust to measure emmissions. The results (pass/fail) are immediately fed into the DVLA computer so that all vehicles can be checked as to whether they have a valid certificate. Somewhere around I seem to recall there's a site address you can check whether a vehicle has a valid MOT - shall post back if I find it.

the VOSA link is http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/html/home.html

oldagetraveller

I think the figures for braking efficiencies are passed to DVLA as well as any advisories given, could be wrong though.
I have a classic car which due to it's simplicity and fewer mot requirements only takes the tester a max. of 15 - 20 minutes to complete. We then have to sit down, have a cup of tea and wait for the DVLA designated testing duration to expire before he submits the results!! No discretion or common sense with a computer.

Wayne3765

oldagetraveller wrote: »

I think the figures for braking efficiencies are passed to DVLA as well as any advisories given, could be wrong though.

Everything I failed last years MOT on is listed on the VOSA site , just copied this from there ~

Date of test: 28/03/2006
Certificate issue refused (Fail)
Odometer reading: XXXXXXX Miles
Test number: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Test station name: XXXXXX MOTORS LTD
Test station number: XXXXXXX
Test station telephone number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Test class: IV
Reason(s) for refusal to issue Certificate
Nearside Rear trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.3)
Offside Rear trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.3)
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.2b)
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.2b)
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.2c)
Advisory Notice issued
Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.1b)

So it looks as if all information is passed from the test station to VOSA.

oldagetraveller

Hope you got it all sorted Wayne.
All this info being available to a potential car buyer is not a bad thing in my opinion. If a seller is not willing to supply the relevant details for a buyer to access VOSA data then it's time to walk away from a purchase?

Wayne3765

All sorted , it was from March 2006, changed the bushes and took the car to a diagnostics centre to find out what was causing the high emissions and was told the emissions were fine , only difference was the engine was a lot warmer so I now make sure the engine is hot ( do a few miles around a dual carriageway ) when I take it for an MOT and not had a problem with emissions since.

I agree that the information is a good thing for buyers / sellers as you always get a seller saying things like I've changed this , that and so on but at least with the VOSA data you have proof that the work has been done and to MOT standards.