20 replies to this topic

[Tamworthbay]

As this is a trade I work in, I was merely providing the correct information. No attack on anyone.

+1, I am involved in training mechanics so we always try to pick up on any changes to MOT regs for obvious reasons.

[sonikk4]

As stated in the rules any information given needs to be technically correct. Now if the MOT does include a check on the boiling point of the brake fluid I for one have never seen this in a MOT. Now if this is something is new then please show us where it is part of the MOT.

Nobody is picking on members here but if there is factual information to back up a statement then please feel free to post it on here.

That's all we ask as it's for the betterment to all of us, members and staff alike. Ours cars are a constant learning curve to all of us.

[tiger99]

Well, I did not think that I was under attack, only having a statement queried by some who had reason to be fairly sure that it was wrong. My brake fluid was indeed tested, so my statement was not entirely without foundation, and I have done some Googling to find out why. The first link is from a company who has a vested interest, and would like it to become part of the MOT, because they sell the instrument. I happen to think that they have a point, because there is utterly massive general neglect of brake systems by most car owners. The second and third links are typical garages who do the test free of charge anyway, which doubtless explains why it was done on my cars without being asked for.

 

http://www.albadiagn...e_fluid_testing

http://www.cbautoser....co.uk/mot.html

http://www.stalbansc...k/brake-fluid-2

 

In my opinion, brake fluid boiling point should be checked as part of the MOT. What I don't want to see happening, ever, is that a test probe that has been put into filthy, 10 year old DOT 3 fluid in some disreputable old banger of a totally thrashed Nissan, then goes into my car with clean, DOT 5 silicone fluid, causing contamination. There will have to be safeguards.

[gazza82]

Think tiger has corrected himself. Looks like he has car serviced at same time ... and test is part of service not mot.

[tiger99]

Well, actually, the first several times the fluid was tested was during MOTs only, because I always serviced that particular car myself. But the daily driver has had its service recently, and is going for MOT in a few weeks, so it will be interesting to see what happens. As it will be the same garage, they will know that it was tested recently, and in fact had a fluid change, so should know not to do it again anyway, but we shall see...

[Tamworthbay]

Well, actually, the first several times the fluid was tested was during MOTs only, because I always serviced that particular car myself. But the daily driver has had its service recently, and is going for MOT in a few weeks, so it will be interesting to see what happens. As it will be the same garage, they will know that it was tested recently, and in fact had a fluid change, so should know not to do it again anyway, but we shall see...

What would be really interesting would be if it 'failed'. As it's not on the MOT it should not be tested within the standard regime. There is flexibility for a tester to fail outside of certain criteria (e.g excessive corrosion outside of prescribed areas but deemed to weaken the structure sufficiently enough to warrant a fail) but I have never come across a situation where a car has been failed on something not tested (for obvious reasons). Of course they may not actually fail it but may 'suggest' that it be changed. I would be interested to know what they say if you ask them if it could fail on that.