Getting An MOT

elsien

dipsomaniac said:

Car owners really need to be able to do a few things for themselves. Changing a wheel, battery, wipers & air freshener😀 are the most basic.

I would inspect the wipers for wear/damage.  If they need replacing, buy the wipers and try again.  If you can't fit them then take them to the test centre for them to fit.  They will almost certainly charge you even though it's a five minute job

Wiper, battery yes.
For me, changing a wheel, nope.  I’m sure I could work out how to but I’m also fairly sure that I’d struggle to loosen the nuts in the first place, and I’d then be worried about not tightening them enough and said wheel sailing past me as I drive off. 

There’s a reason I have breakdown cover and I’m happy to call them out for a puncture if needed. Although I do carry a pump to deal with slow punctures till I can get to a garage.

AdrianC

elsien said:

For me, changing a wheel, nope.  I’m sure I could work out how to

It's in the owner's handbook, which I'm sure you read when you got the car and keep in the glovebox - but it's regarded as such basic and essential knowledge for every road user that it's been part of the show-me-tell-me section of the driving test for the last eighteen years...

but I’m also fairly sure that I’d struggle to loosen the nuts in the first place, and I’d then be worried about not tightening them enough and said wheel sailing past me as I drive off. 

Standard wheelbraces are useless, it's true, but a half-way decent more appropriate tool is cheap... https://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-4-way-wheel-wrench/969hp - £8
or
https://www.screwfix.com/p/laser-telescopic-wheel-brace-500mm/13244 - £14

elsien

All of which I'm sure is true but I've been driving for 25 plus years and managed to not have to change a wheel yet and happy to carry on that way. 

AdrianC

elsien said:

All of which I'm sure is true but I've been driving for 25 plus years and managed to not have to change a wheel yet and happy to carry on that way. 

If you'd be happy to wait, potentially, several hours at the roadside for your breakdown provider to come and do what you could do yourself in ten minutes, such is - of course - your prerogative.

I'm sure the other people behind you in the queue for that breakdown guy don't mind waiting a bit longer.

elsien

I'm not going to be guilt tripped about waiting times for other people. And pretty sure it would take me a heck of a site longer than 10 minutes. Each to their own, and mine is the breakdown service.  

McKneff

Buy from Halfords and they will fit them for you 

NSG666

elsien said:

I'm not going to be guilt tripped about waiting times for other people. And pretty sure it would take me a heck of a site longer than 10 minutes. Each to their own, and mine is the breakdown service.  

I don't blame you - you've paid for it as part of your breakdown and recovery service and if it were a right hand wheel then changing it potentially with traffic passing by would be no joke. The last time I took a wheel off my car it had stuck and I had to give it several whacks to 'crack' it free - fortunately it was on my drive and on a trolley jack.

AdrianC

NSG666 said:

The last time I took a wheel off my car it had stuck and I had to give it several whacks to 'crack' it free - fortunately it was on my drive and on a trolley jack.

Alloy? Corroded onto the hub, because nobody bothered putting a smear of copaslip on when they had the wheels off to do the brakes or whatever at previous services.

There's a very easy way free it off - slacken the nuts right off, then drive forward about 10m.

Thesaltmustflow

I bought the 500mm telescopic wheel brace which @AdrianC mentions from screwfix after reading a few reviews AND screwfix being 5 mins from me. Gotta say cracking bit of kit for the money, tried it on a few wheels of both of my cars and it 'cracked' them loose no probs. After losing the skin on my knuckles a few times (I didn't cry though lol) over the years with the pathetic braces that come with cars these days, my hands have appreciated it.  

elsien

With apologies to the OP for going completely off topic, just had a conversation with the AA man (who I waited for in the comfort of my own home) about the increasing number of new cars that don’t have any sort of spare wheel. 

He said they have to get them to the nearest tyre place, then leave them there. Even if it’s closed for the night. (Im presuming that’s for folks who don’t have onward travel etc.)
Now that does baffle me, buying a car without even a space saver.