Any MOT testers here?

TrickyWicky

Got a real simple question if you wouldn't mind!

Can a car pass an MOT if its engine doesn't run?

Reason I ask is I got a car on the drive and the cooling system is a bit intermittent - to the point that I can't leave it running or the engine risks overheating.

I'm wondering.. can I just disconnect the dizzy and put it in for a test with a dead engine? - At least that way I can get it road legal and up to my mates who has the specialist computers and manuals for it. Otherwise it's stuck there lol

oldhand

Have to say I doubt it as it would be unable to have an emission test.

waamo

I'm not an MOT tester so I may be wrong but I suspect they may struggle to do an emissions test if the engine doesn't run.

cootuk

They also have to test the exhaust for leaks so would need the engine running.
I guess the brakes may also need engine power to fully work?

Joe_Horner

Not a tester but:

In principle yes, in practice no. The lack of working engine wouldn't fail for its own sake but would prevent the test being completed. As mentioned above, having a non-running engine would prevent testing emissions, exhaust system, brake servo assistance, and (usually) power steering.

There's also the small matter of moving the car during the test - not sure it comes within a tester's job description to be pushing the car onto the ramp, off onto the brake tester, then out into the yard!

TrickyWicky

Yes I did wonder about these points but i had a vague memory of someone here posting a thread a while back about testing a car with no engine and it passing hence the idea.

I know previously to get around the rear seat belts i removed the rear seats and the test station simply recorded no rear seats present and thus didn't test the seat belts.

I was just wondering if there was any way around this. The car is fine when it runs with airflow over the radiator, it's just when its standing still and the temperature is slowly going up. Without cooling fans it's a bit .. well hit n miss lol.

ElkyElky

How long does it take before it overheats? You could always explain to the garage about it and ask if they are able to run whatever tests in the xx minutes before it overheats?

TrickyWicky

5-7 minutes - not long enough lol

voucher

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Joe_Horner

TrickyWicky wrote: »

5-7 minutes - not long enough lol

Wire a (temporary) permanent feed to the fan?

AdrianC

Joe_Horner wrote: »

There's also the small matter of moving the car during the test - not sure it comes within a tester's job description to be pushing the car onto the ramp, off onto the brake tester, then out into the yard!

Well, the tester was kind enough to help me push 'erselfs 2cv off the ramp the other week, when it wouldn't restart... He didn't even charge me extra for pausing the test whilst I popped to the factor over the road to buy a new battery and lent me spanners to fit it. Jolly nice man.

Mind you, that is a VERY easy car to push. Not sure he'd have been so accomodating if it'd been the camper or the Shogun.