Is car servicing really necessary ?

Conor_3

in2deep wrote: »

It doesnt matter where its from if it was built after 1980 and you want a UK MOT test doing on it then it needs a fog light fitted to the rear.
This also applies to american cars with red flashing indicators they must be retro fitted with amber(depending on date)...

..you should have a fog light retro fitted to your import.

And why would that be? To comply with the Construction and Use regs which our esteemed MOT tester tells me have no relevence? Oh yeah...there's a surprise.

BTW, it does. I was merely illustrating the point that our MOT tester is either lying about being a tester or hasn't a clue other than what the computer tells him like most mechanics nowadays.

in2deep_2

Your missing the point, you are trying to say that the MOT test is a check list of the entire construction and use regs, it isn't.

The MOT and construction and use although related are not the same thing.
Construction and use is about a million times more complex than you annual Basic MOT.

Here is an extreme example for you.

If you glued on a line of razor blades to your front bumper and took it for an MOT test would it fail....NO whats the tester going to fail it for.....He cant. The regs state dangerous sharp edges must be as a result of corrosion or damage NOT modification.....BUT PC plod is going to quote you construction and use when he pulls you over.

Being a registered tester you could quite easily check my qualifications if i gave you my VTS number.

Conor_3

in2deep wrote: »

Being a registered tester you could quite easily check my qualifications if i gave you my VTS number.

Judging by the competency of most mechanics nowadays, there's no point. They all seem to be nothing more than fitters who are stuffed if the computer doesn't give them the answer.

Being a registered tester means nothing. They're still failing cars on non testable items and not failing them on stuff they should have. An MOT as a guide to the condition of a vehicle is still as worthless as its always been.

Conor_3

in2deep wrote: »

Here is an extreme example for you.

If you glued on a line of razor blades to your front bumper and took it for an MOT test would it fail..

I can guarantee you that if I took that car straight round to VOSA and showed them the just issued certificate that they'd be hauling in the tester for an explanation.

I've got a spare bumper I can do this on if you're willing to bet your testers licence on it.

Keleva

anewman wrote: »

If oil wasn't changed reguarly enough this could help contribute to killing that sensor.

I think mine was just one of those things. My service intervals are 12000 miles I believe and I have it done at between 9-10 k. My car is coming up 5 years old and has about 44k on the clock. Although I do lots of short journeys which I know aren't good for a car, I do a fair number of longer journeys too. Because I check my oil, I know that it never looks completely gacky (although I realise that what you can see on a dipstick is only a minute amount)

jeannieblue

Conor - just fit a rear fog light and be done with it! Parts around £30 - its not a big deal.

We fit them alot when we get new imports in - so they can then pass the MOT that you have such contempt for... And stop dissing the testers.

Meanwhile re the servicing - I was agreeing with your comments as I've been reading thru - tho not happy with the way you put things..

in2deep_2

Conor wrote: »

I can guarantee you that if I took that car straight round to VOSA and showed them the just issued certificate that they'd be hauling in the tester for an explanation.

I've got a spare bumper I can do this on if you're willing to bet your testers licence on it.

IM happy to issue the certificate myself then your more than welcome to take it to VOSA......Tell me what they will fail it for.???


As for ''An MOT as a guide to the condition of a vehicle is still as worthless as its always been.'' i totaly agree with this.

Shoshannah

Don't worry about being ripped off by garages by doing the basics yourself - I service my car myself (and I'm a 23 year old woman, if I can do it anybody can :rotfl: ).

I own a 16 year old Ford Sierra. Every 6 months I change the oil and filter, air filter and spark plugs, and flush the coolant. I've owned her 3 years and done 50K miles in her and she has never broken down. I have to top up the oil regularly, she eats a lot of the stuff because she's a high mileage car. Last November I had a skilled friend rebuild the head for me, it cost me £300 in parts but only a few beers in labour and the car runs better now.

However, I agree with Conor's comments about the other stuff. Anyone can do a basic service themselves but if you are unsure of the slightier trickier stuff (brakes, suspension etc) then find someone who knows what they are doing to do it for you, or send it into a garage.

Don't rely on the MOT!!!

goldspanners

D_e_n_i_s_e wrote: »

'Brakes - condition, operation and performance (efficiency test). Suitable vehicles will be tested on a roller brake tester. Vehicles such as those with permanent 4-wheel drive will be tested either on a suitable road using a properly calibrated and maintained decelerometer or, if one is installed at the test station, a plate brake tester'



the following was only a suggestion Goldspanner!!!
Its suprising in this day and age with all the technology so few people have even an understanding of the basics of anything. it would be good if schools and colleges could warrant some time to help them appreciate the BASICS of things such as plumbing/electrical/car servicing etc.

'On the other hand i seriously think that most young people should stay on in education till they are 18 and between 16-18yrs they ought to be taught useful stuff, that is beneficial to themselves and there families stuff such as organising finances (so that they dont end up in masses of debt), basic plumbing, electrical wiring, healthy cooking, buying your first home, first aid course and basic servicing of cars - In general the stuff that most people usually have no idea of and hence get ripped off on'

brakes can operate fine under MOT test conditions,but fail on the road,they could show as being good on a rolling road but they could have no friction material left or almost none left,if you dont bother to actually look at the pads and shoes how will you know? when your brakes fade,or the pedal goes through the floor,dont stop you in time when you really need them,thats when.
then it would cost you more than just a set of pads or shoes.

with regards to your comments about kids education,financial education would be good,but as for other manual skilled trades sometimes a little knowledge is more dangerous than no knowledge.

i think we can see the people who agree with servicing either work in mechanical jobs or they have a fair amount of mechanical knowledge and understand why servicing is a good idea as they have all seen the effects of not servicing.
the people who dont service thier cars dont actually understand what they are talking about or what they are doing to thier cars.

anewman

Shoshannah wrote: »

I own a 16 year old Ford Sierra. Every 6 months I change the oil and filter, air filter and spark plugs, and flush the coolant.

That's dedication :T

If it's in good condition too I imagine it won't be long before the old Sierra's are considered classics and go up in value. You may have no difficulty selling it for more than you bought it for :beer: