First MOT advice

Gloomendoom

snowmen wrote: »

Wouldn't even bother getting it undersprayed either - I used to but haven't for the past 5 years with no trouble.

In nearly 35 years of owning cars have never washed under any of them before taking them for an MoT. Not even my Land Rover that gets used in all kinds of mud and muck.

It never even occurred to me that it might be necessary.

sheilds

I have seen the service advertised in garages-i.e.
"We clean underneath your car for MOT"
so I thought it was a requirement-now I know better and won't waste the money.

You live and learn-;)

getzls

ballyblack wrote: »

As well as the bulbs the height/angle of the headlight beams have to be within certain limits (that only a garage can check accurately).

However maybe take a chance that they're ok?

Yes i failed on that, not something you can check yourself really.

Lights, don't forget the lights on the rear for your number plate. I had to replace them.

YoungBusinessman

At worse, you get a note as advisary saying underside of car is dirty. Cant fail you for it. I found this out when i put my Subaru in last year. Also annoyed them as had stuff in boot so they couldnt check spare tyre....didnt know they would need to?!

skivenov

As far as I'm aware, the only time a spare is testable is if it's on the outside of the vehicle and either not secure, or liable to cause a hazard to pedestrians (wires sticking out).

I've known a few garages just look at the spare as a courtesy and tell you it's condition.

dmxdave

I take it all the people commenting about underbody wash realise that this is a NI thread and therefore MOT tests are not carried out by garages but by Government MOT test centres?

From their website

You must also ensure that the exterior/interior and underparts of the vehicle are clean, or the examiner may refuse to test it.

sheilds

Thanks for pointing that out Dave-it is going to a test centre as opposed to a garage so guess I will get it washed now-just to be on the safe side!

snowmen

dmxdave wrote: »

I take it all the people commenting about underbody wash realise that this is a NI thread and therefore MOT tests are not carried out by garages but by Government MOT test centres?

From their website

Yes but unless the underside of the car is really bad they won't refuse you - and besides the majority of the MOT is done before they get to that stage.

sheilds

Just a quick update-car passed with no problems.
I'm glad I got the underneath washed as they spent quite a while looking at it when it was up on the ramp.
Wee intake of breath when he said "your lights are very dim"(tested by a machine) then put his head through the window and said"ahh you have them turned down too low"-he twiddled a knob and all was ok.
Thanks all for your comments and help.:)