MOT pre-check

[Stimpy]

I tried to tax my (mkII) via the online thing which then told me I had no MOT - shock horror etc

Oh - and as an additional insult - my tax has gone up to £220/y from £180 for the sake of a few months which would have made it free - oh well

So - is this list I've made up a complete one do you reckon?

dim/head/beam lights
indicators
warning indicators
rear number plate light
reflectors at rear
seat belts (incl rear as fitted)
Steering wheel 'play'
tyres (except spare - I know that much)
Brakes - including balance
Park brake
No rust or holes within 1 foot of either a jacking point or 'important join'
Horn
Windscreen (including cracks)
Wipers
Water 'ejectors'
Wheel bearings (play)
Visual emission check

Can anyone think of any more?

[SGN]

http://www.motester.co.uk/mot-information-for-motorists/mot-test-checks-list

Many of the above

Cheers
Steve

[Staghound]

No oil,water,brake/clutch fluid or fuel leaks...no corrosion near seatbelt fixing points...fuel cap rubber seal is ok...no warning lights illuminated on dash...drive shaft rubber covers not split...

[Goldstar]

Courtesy of Ian (milothedog) this might be of some help Keeny

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/publicati...sandguides.htm

I think if the spare is in the car that it has to be legal but I may be wrong.

Others have mentioned fails for Gaiters although a recent post contradicted this being a fail, excess oil leaks (however you define excessive), suspension ball joints and rubber boots, number plates

[jleyton]

Others have mentioned fails for Gaiters although a recent post contradicted this being a fail, excess oil leaks (however you define excessive), suspension ball joints and rubber boots, number plates

I mentioned recently that my front strut gaiters had failed but they are not inspected as part of the MOT. Other gaiters are however. Eg Steering rack gaiter.

Cheers

Julian

[milothedog]

Courtesy of Ian (milothedog) this might be of some help Keeny

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/publications/manualsandguides/vehicletestingmanualsandguides.htm

I think if the spare is in the car that it has to be legal but I may be wrong.

Others have mentioned fails for Gaiters although a recent post contradicted this being a fail, excess oil leaks (however you define excessive), suspension ball joints and rubber boots, number plates

Paul,
Any fluid leak other than Fuel, Steering, Hydraulic suspension or Brake fluid which are an automatic fail are measured by how much it leaks in 5 minutes, it must not exceed a pool on the floor more than 75mm in diameter or is a fire risk, Coolant is not included.

If a spare wheel if carried it has to be road legal.

McPherson strut gators are not testable.

Not wishing to offend Mr Stimpy, but you posted 3 times last night, I replied to the first 2 and now the 3rd but not a single acknowledgement to anyone for the help and advise or is it just me.

Ian.

[DJT]

If a spare wheel if carried it has to be road legal

All good advice Ian. Not sure how the above works with most cars though as to inspect involves lifting carpet sections or, in the case of the Stag, undoing fastenings. None of which, I believe, are allowed. I have watched every MOT I have submitted a car for in 40 years and never seen the spare checked.

[milothedog]

All good advice Ian. Not sure how the above works with most cars though as to inspect involves lifting carpet sections or, in the case of the Stag, undoing fastenings. None of which, I believe, are allowed. I have watched every MOT I have submitted a car for in 40 years and never seen the spare checked.

They rarely do Dave, IIRC (It was the late 70's and early 80's that I was a nominated tester in the Rootes dealership) I think the check is limited to what you can see and as you say short of undoing clamps etc. I'll look it up.

Ian

Just looked,

Half correct Dave, it states that if noted on inspection the vehicle presenter should be advised its not road legal. The old memory you know, I did remember being told on the course to check it and it was a few years ago

[Princejohny]

All good advice Ian. Not sure how the above works with most cars though as to inspect involves lifting carpet sections or, in the case of the Stag, undoing fastenings. None of which, I believe, are allowed. I have watched every MOT I have submitted a car for in 40 years and never seen the spare checked.

Pretty certain that spare tyres not tested but if they're mounted underneath, the carrying mechanism is looked at. I had an advisory for serious rust on the wire rack thingy on a Pug 405 estate a few years back. The guy said the tyre was flat as well but couldn't write that down because not testable.
Cheers Johny

[Stimpy]

Cheers all.

I'm 95% sure the spare does not come in to it (as my Dad owned a tyre service/MOT place many years ago). Of course you could always leave the spare at home just in case! :-)

[Lingen]

Regarding the free play at the steering wheel, make sure the tester has the engine running when checking this. Some of them don't seem to know that there is some play built in to the system, which will be taken up as soon as the pump is pressurising the rack. Mike.

[Stimpy]

Good point.

Ok - I think I can make a 'final list' of all these things - thanks to all!

This is dead easy compared to my mini - I won't go into detail but: carb model, cat gone, emission test - awkward as hell