Black liquid under the tyre, will it fail the MOT?

Danny_G

A few weeks ago, had a tyre changed on the car,  and when the car was ramped up to change the tyre, then on the Axel which joins the front tyre to the steering shaft thing,   there was some black liquid, (quite near to where the front tyre is positioned) .

This black liquid was on the metal axel bit. 

but it looks noticeable that something is there.

When the MOT is done, could this fail the MOT, on the basis that something is leaking?  (some fluid is leaking, the black stuff) which needs to be looked at/ repaired?

or should be able to get away with it?




am not too sure what the liquid is, it isn't oil.


For example, if it was brake fluid, and leaking and the MOT inspector saw it,  would that kinda thing fail the MOT?

Goudy

Sounds like it might be grease out of the CV joint if it's greasy.
Probably due to a split CV boot/gaiter.

If it is, I'm sure it's a fail.
All these boots, gaiters and rubber covers on suspension and steering joints are all on the MOT check list, so you'd think they'd spot them.

If it's oily and dripping it could be engine oil leaking down from above or gearbox oil leaking out of the output seals and running down the drive shaft.

A feel and smell of it might narrow it down.
Thick and greasy is obviously grease and the CV boot.
Oily, thin and drippy could be engine oil.
Oily, slightly thicker and smells a bit of sulfur and it's gear oil.

Car_54

Danny_G said:

For example, if it was brake fluid, and leaking and the MOT inspector saw it,  would that kinda thing fail the MOT?

If it's brake fluid, an MOT fail is the least of your worries.

hollie.weimeraner

Car_54 said:

Danny_G said:

For example, if it was brake fluid, and leaking and the MOT inspector saw it,  would that kinda thing fail the MOT?

If it's brake fluid, an MOT fail is the least of your worries.

Why oh why oh why? It beats me why people ask this sort of question on an open forum.  Obviously hasn't a clue about cars and may have a brake leak (probably not or it may have manifested itself now). TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC

jimjames

Goudy said:

Sounds like it might be grease out of the CV joint if it's greasy.
Probably due to a split CV boot/gaiter.

If it is, I'm sure it's a fail.
All these boots, gaiters and rubber covers on suspension and steering joints are all on the MOT check list, so you'd think they'd spot them.

Split CV boot isn't a fail, just an advisory unless it's completely gone

chrisw

Whatever it is, grease, oil, brake fluid, it shouldn't be leaking and is only likely to get worse. Get it booked in at a garage to get it sorted as soon as possible.

jimbo6977

hollie.weimeraner said:

Car_54 said:

Danny_G said:

For example, if it was brake fluid, and leaking and the MOT inspector saw it,  would that kinda thing fail the MOT?

If it's brake fluid, an MOT fail is the least of your worries.

Why oh why oh why? It beats me why people ask this sort of question on an open forum.  Obviously hasn't a clue about cars and may have a brake leak (probably not or it may have manifested itself now). TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC

Why? Because fear that taking it to a mechanic might result in being told the car needs all new discs pads and lines, all new shocks coils and dampers, all new bushes and heck why not a new steering rack for good measure....

... when in reality all it needed was a new CV boot, or maybe just a wipe with a rag. 

Goudy

jimjames said:

Goudy said:

Sounds like it might be grease out of the CV joint if it's greasy.
Probably due to a split CV boot/gaiter.

If it is, I'm sure it's a fail.
All these boots, gaiters and rubber covers on suspension and steering joints are all on the MOT check list, so you'd think they'd spot them.

Split CV boot isn't a fail, just an advisory unless it's completely gone

According to the MOT inspection manual under 6.1.7 Transmission.

(g) A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: (i) Severely deteriorated = Minor (ii) Missing, split or insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt = Major

Neither are advisories.

Major faults are regarded as risky, the vehicle could impact other motorists and have a negative bearing on the environment. Therefore fail an MOT.

So a split boot will fail but on the day it will depend on if the tester considers it severely deteriorated or actually split, insecure and no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.

Chances are if it is split enough to throw all the grease out it obviously can't prevent the ingress of dirt anymore so they will consider that a major fault and fail it.

Now if it is the CV boot it would be fairly prudent to get this fixed asap.
If it's thrown the grease out and dirt can get into the joint, you might soon have to replace the CV joint along with the boot.