Would this fail an MOT?

henna123

HI - I have tried asking a few mechanics and I have emailed VOSA but would anybody be able to tell me if the car may fail its MOT?
All the information i can find relates to the forward doors but nothing remarking about a boot on an estate.

Its an estate car - The issue is the boot will not open from the outside, it will open if i crawl through and pull the emergency latch. there is also a light on the dash that says 'Tailgate'

Apparently its an expensive job so not really an option to get fixed at the minute.

I can cope with the crawling for a little longer but its MOT is due in December and if it is definately going to fail I would prefer to SORN it at the end of the month and be a one car family for a short while whilst saving to fix it.

Thanks
x

Yolina

The new rules are still currently "advisory only" rather than a straight fail and look to remain so until the end of the year.

Found this on the AA website here

"The legal process for changing regulations is taking longer than expected and VOSA keeps extending the ‘bedding in’ period for the new test items as a result.
VOSA has now confirmed that the advisory period for the new test items will remain in place at least until the end of 2012.
The latest version of the MOT inspection manual shows the new reasons for failure (currently advisory) highlighted
(2 October 2012)"

No idea about the boot not opening from outside though - have you called the place you will take it to for the MOT and asked them? I think this one could be a "depend on the tester" thing...

spiro

See here http://www.motester.co.uk/Home/MOTChecklist.aspx

QUote:

Tailgates, bootlids etc.
All these items, including the tailboards and dropsides of trucks must be securable in the closed position.

henna123

spiro wrote: »

See here http://www.motester.co.uk/Home/MOTChecklist.aspx

QUote:

Tailgates, bootlids etc.
All these items, including the tailboards and dropsides of trucks must be securable in the closed position.

Well it definitely secures lol thanks for the help all x

poppasmurf_bewdley

Of all the MOT's I've had done, I've never had the tailgate of an estate car opened (I usually have a while you wait MOT).

You could always take out the bulb on the dash.

henna123

Thanks poppasmurf_bewdley - your just around the corner from me lol

Joe_Horner

It isn't a testable item (and won't be under the new rules) but a stroppy tester might abandon the test for being unable to check any testable items he'd normally inspect from inside. Depending on the car, some rear suspension and structure might be a problem for that.

Mention it when booking the test, that way they've got plenty of chance to let you know if they'll find it a problem. If they find it after they start the test they're entitled to abandon the test and still charge for it, so best to make sure they're aware and happy before they start.

Deneb

It's not a reason for failure, but it is a reason for refusal to carry out the test. From the test manual:

"If any of the following reasons apply, the test should not be carried out, the vehicle presenter informed and any fee paid for the test must be returned. It is therefore advised that 'refusal' items are checked before starting the test.

[snip]

g. A proper examination cannot be carried out because any door, tailgate, boot, engine cover, fuel cap or other device designed to be readily opened cannot be readily opened."

londonTiger

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Of all the MOT's I've had done, I've never had the tailgate of an estate car opened (I usually have a while you wait MOT).

You could always take out the bulb on the dash.

yeah i inflated my spare and emptied the contents of my boot specificaly for the mot, and the mot didnt even open the boot

atrixblue.-MFR-.

when i had my MOT, the forward doors and boot were opened and closed before the actual test was carried out, as well as inspection for sharp edges on the outer body, then it was moved in for the emmisions test.

its all about what the tester see and does at the time, some are very detailed in their inspection some just get on with testing it and out ready for the next one.

Sgt_Pepper_2

londonTiger wrote: »

yeah i inflated my spare and emptied the contents of my boot specificaly for the mot, and the mot didnt even open the boot

That's cause its not a legal requirement to have a spare.