[928uk] Failed MOT

[Adrian Langford]

I had a bizarre test yesterday too.

Always take her to a very old school place. The usual tester for years was a real enthusiast (loved his old Rileys). He retired a couple of years ago but they still always have ‘proper’ mechanics. They did let me adjust the headlight beam a couple of years ago when it showed off aim right at the start.

Anyway this time passed no advisories. The guy reversed it off ramp (me clutching certificate like a proud parent) and then grabbed an inspection light as he’d noticed fluid stain on ramp! We both looked underneath and it was obvious front left caliper was leaking brake fluid.

He jacked up corner, took wheel off and I felt banjo bolt and the leak was there. He nipped it up and confirmed leak had stopped as I pumped pedal a few times with engine off and it firmed up as expected. He was surprised as all had felt fine on brake test, but there I was with a clean pass issued five minutes ago, but a car with a dangerous/fail fault had it been an hour earlier! I’d not done any work on that flexible hose joint for a couple of years so maybe crush washer had failed?

The mechanic asked me for the torque and proceeded to replace wheel using torque wrench (I said ‘proper’). Today I’ll replace the washer, re torque banjo and bleed that corner as some air will have got in though pedal feel is good.

So an interesting test. I felt as if I was acting in a safety video making point that a pass is no guarantee a car is safe!

Adrian

> On 31 May 2024, at 22:08, Paul R Smith via 928uk <928uk at lists.928.org.uk> wrote:
> 
> The other side of the story: I once told a neighbour that their brake lights weren't working, their response was that it would get fixed at the next MoT.
> So when you have  (probably) a majority of driver doing nothing until they are forced to, the MoT has to be strict.
> If your windscreen washers are less than perfect, you will probably sort it out when they get a bit worse. But what about person who won't?
> Being able to see is as important as brakes that work.
> 
> Smiffy
> 
>> On 31/05/2024 21:55, Ben Hodges via 928uk wrote:
>> Ha ha ha - agree Duncan
>> 
>> On Fri, 31 May 2024 at 21:53, kenworthy via 928uk<928uk at lists.928.org.uk>
>> wrote:
>> 
>>> Seems to me someone is taking the piss here ( sorry obout the language)
>>> I have no problem is finding genuine dangerous items but really!!!
>>> A knackered ball joint, broken suspension, dangerous brakes OK but a
>>> misaligned windscreen washer!,!!
>>> Wankers to me, at least my  MOT tester for my 12yo VW Touran come up
>>> with genuine items not flannel.
>>> Unbelievable, I wouldn’t have paid.
>>> ‘Tossers united’ have taken over the world
>>> Duncan
>>> 79 928 auto
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 2024-05-31 18:54, jonathanrackowe--- via 928uk wrote:
>>>> Hi Marek, how disappointing. I think you need to find a friendlier MOT
>>>> testing station. Mine allows me to adjust the headlamp aim using their
>>>> test device!
>>>> 
>>>> Windscreen washer jets? Were they really that bad?
>>>> 
>>>> I'm curious to know how the registration plates didn't conform - was
>>>> it the letter spacing, or the requirement for company name and BS code
>>>> to be shown on the plates?
>>>> 
>>>> I'd suggest trying to find a place that happily agrees they'll let you
>>>> adjust the headlamps during the MOT. That way you know the tester is
>>>> reasonable, and not out to get you.
>>>> 
>>>> Best regards,
>>>> Jonathan
>>>> 
>>>> 1991 928 GT Amethyst Metallic
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: 928uk<928uk-bounces at lists.928.org.uk>  On Behalf Of Marek
>>>> Zawadzki via 928uk
>>>> Sent: 31 May 2024 18:03
>>>> To: 928UK List<928uk at lists.928.org.uk>
>>>> Subject: [928uk] Failed MOT
>>>> 
>>>> Hi all,
>>>> 
>>>> My car just failed MOT with this problems:
>>>> 
>>>> Repair immediately (major defects):
>>>> Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))
>>>> Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))
>>>> Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))
>>>> Offside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient
>>>> fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))
>>>> Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements
>>>> (0.1 (d))
>>>> Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements
>>>> (0.1
>>>> (d))
>>>> 
>>>> Before I  went to a test centre I checked all bulbs, so this is
>>>> annoying
>>>> surprise.
>>>> 
>>>> Registration plates were fitted 8 years ago and now seems to be a
>>>> problem.
>>>> 
>>>> But the main thing is how to adjust Headlamps?
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Best Regards
>>>> Marek
>>>> 928S2 auto 1986