Insurance question advice appreciated.

AdrianC

The MOT limit for tyres is exactly the same as the legal limit. 1.6mm of tread across 3/4 of the tread width and visible tread pattern on the rest.

Go and thank the MOT man for saving you from Mr Plod noticing it first, and handing you three points and a fine of up to £2000 per tyre.

Then remember that you need to do basic maintenance on ALL cars. Weekly checks of fluids, tyres, lights.

That's easily and quickly solved, though - tyre places will be open tomorrow, assuming you don't have a full-size legal spare in the boot. But the brake pipe's the one that says "Step away from the keys!". For the tester to fail it, he has to see that it's severely weakened. If you have to brake hard, then it may burst. Again, go and thank your tester.

The wheel bearing needs doing (it's probably making a lot of noise, and I'd guess that it's the same corner as the badly worn tyre), but that's not quite as immediately safety critical.

Captain_Flack.

Robisere wrote: »

Expired or not, an MOT certificate is NOT a certificate of Roadworthiness. Read the details on the current/last certificate (whether expired or not)

And?

The bald tyre would suggest it shouldn't be on the road.

Captain_Flack.

AdrianC wrote: »

The MOT limit for tyres is exactly the same as the legal limit. 1.6mm of tread across 3/4 of the tread width and visible tread pattern on the rest.

Go and thank the MOT man for saving you from Mr Plod noticing it first, and handing you three points and a fine of up to £2000 per tyre.

Then remember that you need to do basic maintenance on ALL cars. Weekly checks of fluids, tyres, lights.

That's easily and quickly solved, though - tyre places will be open tomorrow, assuming you don't have a full-size legal spare in the boot. But the brake pipe's the one that says "Step away from the keys!". For the tester to fail it, he has to see that it's severely weakened. If you have to brake hard, then it may burst. Again, go and thank your tester.

The wheel bearing needs doing (it's probably making a lot of noise, and I'd guess that it's the same corner as the badly worn tyre), but that's not quite as immediately safety critical.

You say up to £2000, are you sure?

goonarmy

The brake lines may need welding. This sounds like an advisery rather than fail. So can be put off for while(id make it a priority though). The tire could be fixed by putting the spare on if its road worthy and not a space saver/actually exists or obviously replaced. The wheel bearing would be my main concern.
people have jumped to conclusions on this thread, what wrong with the tire? The brake lines? The wheel bearing? And what car is it so people can guesstimate cost and time.

forgotmyname

tire? We use tyres in the UK

Pink.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. I think that I already knew the right answer and I won't be driving it until it's fixed and has a valid MOT and is safe to drive.


goonarmy, it's a Nissan X-trail. It's old, but I love it and because I work in the community it's sort of my office.


Adrian, it is regularly maintained. I had a good idea about the tyre, but the MOT crept up before I replaced it. Nobody to blame but myself for that one. As for the brake pipe and wheel bearing as a layperson I could never have known about those and as someone has already said I ought to be grateful to the man at the MOT centre. It was serviced about three months ago by a garage that I consider to be very reliable. I don't know if they should have spotted the brake and wheel bearing problems that far back, but they did mention the tyre would need replacing soon. So that is my own silly fault.

AdrianC

Pink. wrote: »

it's a Nissan X-trail. It's old

Hardly! They were only launched in 2001... Which makes me a bit sceptical about the brake pipe. I'd expect them to be plastic-coated on something that recent. Unless the coating's been damaged at some stage, they should be pretty rot-proof.

As for the brake pipe and wheel bearing as a layperson I could never have known about those

It was serviced about three months ago by a garage that I consider to be very reliable.

Depends on the "service" you asked and paid for. The MOT man is looking, deliberately, at play in the bearings and rot on the pipes. If they're just changing your oil and checking the brake pads, then they won't be.

Captain_Flack.

AdrianC wrote: »

Hardly! They were only launched in 2001... Which makes me a bit sceptical about the brake pipe. I'd expect them to be plastic-coated on something that recent. Unless the coating's been damaged at some stage, they should be pretty rot-proof.



Depends on the "service" you asked and paid for. The MOT man is looking, deliberately, at play in the bearings and rot on the pipes. If they're just changing your oil and checking the brake pads, then they won't be.

A 12 year old car isn't exactly new though is it?

Pink.

AdrianC wrote: »

Hardly! They were only launched in 2001... Which makes me a bit sceptical about the brake pipe. I'd expect them to be plastic-coated on something that recent. Unless the coating's been damaged at some stage, they should be pretty rot-proof.

QUOTE]


It's December 2004.


The MOT man was lovely. He mentioned something about rubbing the break pipes with wire wool??? Which went whoosh right over my head.


I'll tell you what it actually says on the cert....


Wheel bearing excessive play
Brake pipe corroded/pitted
Tyre below legal limit


Thank you for your help.

Lum

So the brake pipe only has surface corrosion, which he's saying you can scrape off and then it will pass = not a danger

Wheel bearing - did he say exactly what state it's in and whether it's ok to drive. It's not fun when they finally go, but until then you're ok. Can't really advise without seeing it.

Tyre = illegal. If you have a legal spare then put that on, otherwise get that sorted before you drive anywhere else.

Assuming your old MOT hasn't yet expired, and you sort that tyre out, you're probably good for emergency use until places start opening again.