Pre MOT check list?

Post by **zippy500** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:22 am

Has anyone created a simply pre MOT check list for the Moggy.

I have looked online, they are quite deep covering modern cars.

Thanks

Post by **cliff** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:11 pm

mine passed this morning

apart from the obvious: lights, tyres, brakes, bearings, steering and corrision, what else is there.

i was pleasantly surprised at the lack of emission test.

i was concerned about my brakes but the tester entered the weight of the car into the computer and said the brakes, although could be better, were still within tolerances for a car of that weight and age.

in fact he went on to tell me he wouldn't mind buying a traveller so a closet enthusiast.

if anyone's near torquay pm me and i'll give you the garage details.

Post by **Welung666** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:21 pm

Cliff, do you know what your MOT tester put in as kerb-side weight?

Post by **cliff** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:57 pm

Welung666 wrote:Cliff, do you know what your MOT tester put in as kerb-side weight?

yeah, i think from memory it was 766kg (from the owner's handbook).

Post by **Welung666** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:54 pm

Thanks, I'll make a note of that. My last MOT went through at 850kg kerbside for a 4 door.

Post by **les** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:40 pm

The a4 sheet that comes/came with the mot certificate serves as a check list, it has all the items that are examined printed on it!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:12 pm

Ask the garage if they will do a 'pre-MOT' check for you - some do this for a small charge - saves the possibility of having to pay for a re-test. But this is omething you should try to negotiate anyway before the test - my local gives a 'free' retest and only charges £35 - even with the new computerised system

Post by **plastic_orange** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:12 pm

Mot's went up again recently. Most folk can do a pre mot themselves - lots of cars fail for basics - lights (aim, integrity, brightness), indicators, wipers, washers, windscreen (vision - cracks if laminated), seat belts, tyres - 5 minute check that we can all do.
Brakes - just jack car up and see if they are all working (doesn't show efficiency, but a starting point) - do the following at same time:
Suspension - jack up under front suspension arm and put a lever under front wheel and pry up - movement can mean a fail (try greasing). Then turn steering from side to side to check condition of steering rack gaiters, then check wheel bearings by grasping wheel on both sides and rocking - wear here can mean a fail. Also spin wheels to check for noisy bearings. Check play in steering wheel/column - up and down and side to side.
Check shock absorbers by doing a 'bounce' test (car back on ground) - too many bounces and it fails.
Vehicle structure - possibly the biggest area open to interpretation - basically - find a hole (thats not meant to be there) and it fails - reasonably easy to check (usually don't rot in middle of car, so you don't have to crawl right under).
Whole lot of above doesn't take more than 30 minutes - consider it 'bonding' with your car.
List isn't meant to be definitive (mot testers manual for that), but is a good start that shouldn't give you a major surprise at test time.
MOT manual is available on download somewhere - can't locate it just now, but someone will.

Pete

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:20 pm

Oh I agree - if you are competent to effectively do the whole MOT test yourself then that's exactly what you should do before presenting it for the official inspection! But simple checks like horn/wipers/lights all working - exhaust not blowing - brakes able to lock all 4 wheels and handbrake able to lock the rears - tyres all good and blown up correctly - are all well worth doing and within the ability of everyone. If these things are not right then there is certainly no hope!