Engine running for whole MOT?

NWOIHTS

Has anyone noticed recently - last few years - that when you get an MOT done they have the engine running the whole test.

I asked the guy and he said it needs to be running for the whole test. My question is why? It never used to be, only when the emission test was done, usually at the start, then they turned it off for the rest of the test.

How is this supposed to save fuel when the government keep harping on about saving fuel, literally thousands of cars a day sitting idling for an hour while they get an MOT.

This also raises questions about overheating, some older cars literally overheat or may spring a leak, when left to idle for long periods, unless they have been properly maintained, and all the hoses and cooling equipment is serviceable.

This happened to me before, my car went in, and as I only use it for runs where I never get stuck in jams, or have to stop for long periods with engine running, having it run for 20 minutes made it overheat and they had to stop the test, luckily spotted before it went up on ramp.

Granted it was my cooling fan that needed connection fixed but it still makes me wonder who would be responsible should they have the car up in the air and not notice it overheat until potentially damage is done like cylinder head cooked.

Any thoughts on this, have you noticed the same thing when you go for MOT.

AndyPK

They have it running for 70% of the test.
Mainly for the PAS to function.

cardinalbiggles

The amount of fuel its going to use will be minimal.

yangptangkipperbang

NWOIHTS wrote: »

..........unless they have been properly maintained,..............I only use it for runs where I never get stuck in jams, or have to stop for long periods with engine running, having it run for 20 minutes made it overheat and they had to stop the test, luckily spotted before it went up on ramp.

If you are that worried - it would appear from your own statement that your vehicle is NOT properly maintained.............

oldagetraveller

I had a Morris Minor tested last week (passed, no problem). The only time the engine needed to run was driving the car over the pit and then onto the brakes testing rollers!
No power steering, no brake servo, no emission test!

londonTiger

i hope they have good ventilation system, ideally a hose that they can strap onto the exhaust to blow all the fumes out. Cos it would be really bad for their health if they're working day in day out with engines running in the garage.

arcon5

If a car can't handle half hour in an mot station then its certainly not gonna withstand the joys of heavy congestion/stop-start traffic

salubrious

The car has to be running for a number of reasons, although not usually for 100% of the test.

The way I see it is that is better to happen at the testing station than when your 100 miles away from home.

Unfortunately too many cars only see any kind of maintenance at mot time

facade

I always have palpitations when they get to that part of the test where they wedge the throttle open and leave it running at 3000rpm for 3 minutes, I always expect a hose to burst or it to boil over or something, it would never see that in a traffic jam.

Ratboy

And you OP felt to post this as an issue because of what?

Are you extremely concerned about the environment?

Maybe when they MOT YOUR car they run it...because you are pedantic?

Strider590

Non-issue, nothing to see here, move along.......