MOT checks.....

[Dave_RAYNET]

right, i got a 2.4i A LWB truck. What should i be looking at MOT wise.

Test expires May 30th, will try and get it in April 30th so i'll have a month to play about with.

So come on you knowledgable type people, besides the general stuff like lights, wipers etc what do i need to pay special attention to?

[bobbinsjob]

CV boots are a favourite and corroded or worn brake lines

[john boy]

Fuel lines and ball joints

[Rifleman]

Wheel bearings, steering joints and free play, and fuel leaks.
Brake linings and disc conditions. Handbrake adjustment and efficiency.

[tom]

just been for mot and it failed on emissions

[philmotman]

what were the readings for the emissions might be able to track the problem down for you.

[barryc28]

[Drift]

Top tip Barry, good to see you back

[woodwizzard]

Looks like a typical lambda sensor failure does it not?? Do as Barry suggests is cheaper

[Roo]

This is what I found
Hope it helps ya


Preparing for the big day

It will help your chances if you use the following checklist when doing your pre-MOT checkup. Some of the areas you'll need to look at include:

* Registration plates - must be appropriate for the year of vehicle, unobscured, correctly spaced letters etc
* VIN/Chassis plate must be fitted and easily read, and tie in with your logbook!!
* Steering - works as intended, no excessive play or clunks, all joints, mountings, rubber boots, track rod ends, split pins etc in fine fettle
* No power steering leaks (where fitted naturally!). If you have a steering box, try adjusting out any slack at the wheel, there is usually an adjuster on the steering box itself
* Check wheel bearings for excessive play - this can be taken up on some older cars, or else your stuck with fitting new ones
* Make sure your horn works and emits a decent paaarrppppp
* Check all lights, make sure they work, there are no duff earths causing strange blinking effects, remember to check the no. plate lamps, hazard flashers, semaphore indicators (if fitted), and any visual reminders on the dashboard
* Is the bonnet catch working properly? also check the bootlid while you're at it
* Doors catches all need to work from both inside and outside
* Body condition - this is the biggie! A bit of surface corrosion isn't usually a problem, but holey corrosion of any of the following will get an MOT tester excited:
o Separate chassis cars - ensure body is properly attached!!
o There mustn't be any jagged edges (eg wheelarches) that people admiring your car could catch themselves upon
o Have a look underneath and ensure that all suspension & steering pickup points are solid, same goes for seat belt mountings (and 30cm all around)
o How are the sills looking? monocoque cars rely on sills for strength usually, so any holed grot here will most likely cause a fail, or at the very least a stern look and "tut tut" from your friendly MOT tester
o Also check - inner wings, bulkhead, floorpans and bootfloor - anything thats perforated really needs seeing to
* Seats need to be firmly secured and not jumping around every time you crest a sleeping policeman
* Brakes - foot and handbrakes all need to work ok, does the car pull up straight? its worth jacking up each wheel and ensuring no brakes are binding either - this often happens on cars that don't get used much over winter etc. Needless to say each braked wheel needs to be able to demonstrate some retardation - leaking slave cylinder seals or hub seals can soak brake linings rendering them useless, so check this carefully
* While you're looking for leaks, also have a nosey at brake/clutch master cylinders and dampers as these will cause a fail if they've sprung a leak
* Brake & fuel pipes etc must not foul bodywork
* Chips or cracks in the windscreen can cause an MOT failure depending whether they are in the drivers line of sight
* Try out your wipers and washers, split wiper blades will get you a failure so check 'em out
* Give all 4 corners of the car a bounce test, and make sure there are no clonks/leaks or any other obvious woes in the suspension department
* Most post-1965 cars need seatbelts, if your car has them make sure they aren't fraying, fasten and release ok, and that there is no rust near their mountings
* A rotten or leaking exhaust will catch the MOT tester's keen eye so repair if theres any sign of problems here
* Wheels and tyres need to be in good nick, and be appropriate to the vehicle they are on. Worn out skinny crossplies on a high powered sportscar may not be the best choice

This is only a brief guide and must only be seen as such - for the full lowdown on MOT rules and regulations, I'd recommend having a nosey at the VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) website, they have the full run down not just on car testing regs, but also LGVs, HGVs, PSVs, and motorcycles. If you are interested in the subject of MOT Testing, the MOT Testing website is an interesting read.


Regards Roo

[bobbinsjob]

Blimey Roo, I dont think my mate who does my MOT checks that many things, unless I ask him to

[barryc28]

some things on that list arnt correct

[philmotman]

yes i agree with barry

[woodwizzard]

The only one missing off that list is "if it looks ok then it probably is"

[Dave_RAYNET]

[Rifleman]

Thats caused by a bad earth in that light mate.

[barryc28]

[Dave_RAYNET]

[Roo]

[barryc28]

Wasn't having a go at you Roo I gathered It had been copied from somewhere on the net, Just didnt want people panicing over things on the list that wernt correct