M.O.T. roulette - place your bets

[fossyant]

Most motoring safety organ isations and tyre experts recommend replacing tyres at 3mm, although the lega limit is 1.6. So an advisory at 4mm isn't really extracting the michael.

Just depends what the MOT regs are. TBH, I'm keeping an eye on them, but given my mileage and being on the rear with just 5k a year, mainly in summer, I suspect they won't even get to 3mm by May !.

 

[CXRAndy]

A set of new set of Continentals, £350, being fitted Sunday

 

[fossyant]

It's the turn of MrsF's Qashqai today ! Checked under it last weekend and can't see any issues, drives perfect, bulbs all functioning. Topped up the Buzz Weld chassis protection and checked levels and cleaned the engine bay.

You never know - failed on a split drive shaft boot last year, which they replaced same day and passed.

The garage was rammed with cars awaiting repair/MOT but I politely asked if it would be ready by lunch as we're out this afternoon. The receptionist put it down first. Nice to see them constantly busy as it's a family run business, but the main mechanics are well into their 60's - would be a great loss if they retired. Very honest garage, very straight forward, no messing with MOT's.

 

[fossyant]

Son's 270k BMW finally passed it's test this week. MOT was due 1st October, but on checking the car, he discovered a long list of jobs he needed to do. Compounded by the fact he was working night shifts and long hours, so time to do the car was limited to Saturday afternoon/sunday morning.

Disks and brake pads all round. New shocks all round, new control arms etc. Rear wheel bearing and drive shaft and electrical repairs to the boot as the reversing lights/numberplate lights/central locking stopped working.

This is only just in time as he has a track day booked for Sunday/Monday so needed his car to tow his track car. That car has also needed new brakes, a tyre, some pipework/cooling etc.

 

[fossyant]

Oh well, failed track road end ball joint covers/joint wear. Both sides so we'll get that sorted. It is 13 years old ! Rear pads wearing thin so if they price that I'll just get it done - strangely they were all replaced by me a few years ago (front and rear) - I'd expect the fronts to go first.

 

[Drago]

Oh well, failed track road end ball joint covers/joint wear. Both sides so we'll get that sorted. It is 13 years old ! Rear pads wearing thin so if they price that I'll just get it done - strangely they were all replaced by me a few years ago (front and rear) - I'd expect the fronts to go first.

A lot of modern cars with stability programmes lightly apply the rear brakes regularly to keep the whole plot stable. Upshot is rear pads now often dont last as long as the fronts.

 

[fossyant]

A lot of modern cars with stability programmes lightly apply the rear brakes regularly to keep the whole plot stable. Upshot is rear pads now often dont last as long as the fronts.

That's been said about my van too - so I'm keeping an eye on the pads and will get replaced. TBH it's a couple of hour job on the drive (with a cuppa or two), and MrsF's rear pads don't need a winding tool - you just push them back. Absolute doddle of a job, where as my van needs the service mode enabling for the rear brakes.

Garage just called back, track rod ends and rubber covers etc (under £100) and plus an hours work (may be more). Just OK'ed it and will be ready tomorrow. Saves us dashing to collect the car today. Not worth my time getting filthy.

 

[Drago]

A cuppa and a chilled Saturday afternoon with the spanners and Planet Rock for comlany is food for the soul.

Im quite pleased my van has a standard mechanical handbrake, although Carista can open it all up if it were the EPB option.

 

[fossyant]

A cuppa and a chilled Saturday afternoon with the spanners and Planet Rock for comlany is food for the soul.

Im quite pleased my van has a standard mechanical handbrake, although Carista can open it all up if it were the EPB option.

I've seen how it can be done without the software, but I don't want to bugger anything up and it's a complicated vehicle, and it's under an extended warranty.

MrsF's is mechanical and a big bonus not needing the winding tool. Also when doing brakes, it gives me chance to clean the alloys and touch up suspension components with anti-rust - it's a car we are keeping.

The garage said two control arms and three rubber seals - I said, why not just do all 4.

 

[Dogtrousers]

2013 Hyundai i10. Just shy of 40,000 miles. Only does about 1-2k per year these days. Last year the mechanics were grumbling about wheel bearings but it passed. New tyres this year. Test due in 2 minutes ...

 

[fossyant]

Back on the road. Two track rod ends, various new rubber seals, tracking £75 labour, VAT and the £45 MOT - £251. Not bad.

 

[Dogtrousers]

2013 Hyundai i10. Just shy of 40,000 miles. Only does about 1-2k per year these days. Last year the mechanics were grumbling about wheel bearings but it passed. New tyres this year. Test due in 2 minutes ...

Wahey it passed! News on "advisories and other bits" to follow.

 

[fossyant]

Quick google and check of ECP/Halfords etc. Full set of Bosch pads for the Qashqai can be had for £45 (all corners) from Halfords. £62 at ECP

 

[Dogtrousers]

Yay no advisories.

I've run out of space for stamps in the service history book. What's the point of that book anyway? I always get it stamped and I keep all my receipts and MoT certificates in a folder but I have no idea why.

When I sold my rust bucket Merc to Webuyanycar I took my lovingly curated pile of paper and the book. She took the most recent MoT certificate and gave the rest back to me.

 

[Adam4868]

No advisories....love an old diesel 😁