MOT Looming

[J188]

Hi,
I've had my van for 9 months or so, and the MOT will be coming up soon. Now the van was MOT'd when I bought it, however over the months some very obvious MOT failure's have come to my attention....mainly the front tire shedding its tread on the way home from where I bought it. Anyways all problems I have come across have been fixed/replaced, but my the question is, are there anything particular that these Vans are susceptible to that will result in a failure, that are not obvious like lights not working??

My van is a 1983 1.9 Watercooled.

Cheers
Steve

[sezicoolcat]

Check your windscreen washer works. I checked mine a week before the test - low and behold they weren't working!!! Pump had gone. It was fine when I used a few weeks before... Atleast I had a week to get a new pump.

Mine failed on front suspension - but thats something I had no control over (ie - I wouldn't have been able to check that anyway)

My advise would be to check the usual stuff - theres probably a checklist in the wiki / Haynes manual.

Sarah x

[Ian Hulley]

some very obvious MOT failure's have come to my attention....mainly the front tire shedding its tread on the way home from where I bought it.

You mean you didn't go back with all guns blazing I'd be looking round the Wiki for advice ... piccie of a hammer at the top of the page

Ian.

[CovKid]

My approach to MOT's is that its wise to look for obvious failings that are cheaply rectified yourself in advance, but what one MOT tester passes, another may fail so you can end up doing work that just isn't needed. If it fails it fails, jusy sort out what has to be done.

I actually take mine to a commercial vehicle tester in Coventry who is very strict but by the same token, fair. For instance, last time it failed on headlamp alignment which they said they would not rectify for less than £20 cos adjustment screws are frequently rusted solid. As soon as I heard that, I nipped into the back, came out with a screwdriver and removed grill trim in seconds and explained that i KNEW for sure that light adjustment screws weren't rusted solid as I'd moved them within last 7 days. He grinned and said "ok, we'll do it for a fiver" and set the beam alignment gear up there and then - result, PASS.



He knows I go there every year and don't mind waiting (they're always busy) so is reasonable. I'd much rather he picked up on anything I need to attend to.

[J188]

Cheers for the replies I'll have a closer look this weekend. Just realized the car is to MOT first tho

[CovKid]

Also, too often (depending on when/how a vehicle was purchased) tax and MOT or even insurance can all come at the same time. Shift them all to avoid this, even if you have to re-MOT or switch from 6 to 12 or 12 to 6 tax disc. Its nerve-wracking enough taking you vehicle for MOT without loads of bills at once.