11 replies to this topic

[MatthewsDad]

Just wondering whether anyone has had any experience of oil leak fails or advisories under the new testing regime?

[dyshipfakta]

I just get oil leak but not excessive. On 2 of my cars each year. Which is fair it leaves a spot but not pools. I think it’s just common sense really

[nicklouse]

read the info on the MOT pages it says how big over what time.

[nicklouse]

 

8.4.1 Fluid leaks

You must check for fluid leaks on all vehicles other than Class 3. You should do this with the engine idling.

A leak of fluids such as engine coolant, screen wash and fluid required for Selective Catalyst Reduction aren't reasons for failure. You should fail a vehicle if a fluid leak creates a pool on the floor within 5 minutes that's more than 75mm in diameter or if there are many leaks which collectively leak fluid at the same rate.

You can refuse to carry out the test if there's an excessive fluid leak. For details see item 4 in the 'Introduction' of this inspection manual.

 

from

https://www.mot-test...uals/class3457/

[surfblue]

Incontinent Minis 

I've got one that does that, though a 75mm puddle in 5 minutes is a little excessive, if you're losing it that quickly you'd need to be pouring it in the top as quickly as it comes out!

[Boycie]

Yes... to create a pool of oil that big, you'd have to have serious problems!
The Daily Mail/ rest of the gutter press ran articles saying how the 'tough new mot regulations will remove all old cars from the road' but the reality is, the mot is still pretty fair in my opinion.

[Bat]

Hi,

The diesel parts of the test will probably remove quite a few of the newer ones I'd say! 

Cheers 

[MatthewsDad]

I guess I was just interested in whether anyone had fallen foul of the new regs or been faced with an unreasonable decision over a leak. Although I'd agree that the rate of fluid loss to exceed the 75mm rule would mean the car had a serious problem. Perhaps too soon to tell whether it's an emerging problem or not?

[Bat]

Hi,

Just think of oil leakage as an automatic rust prevention system! 

Cheers 

[Boycie]

I guess I was just interested in whether anyone had fallen foul of the new regs or been faced with an unreasonable decision over a leak. Although I'd agree that the rate of fluid loss to exceed the 75mm rule would mean the car had a serious problem. Perhaps too soon to tell whether it's an emerging problem or not?

 

If anything, it should help the likes of us.  Before, it was down to the tester's discretion as to whether an oil leak was excessive enough to be dangerous.  Now, we have clear guidelines about how bad the leak can be; anything under the measured 'pool' and it's a pass (and maybe advise).  Previously, an over-zealous inspector could potentially fail a car if there were drips underneath and a decision like that is very hard to contest.

[Bat]

Hi,

That has and still is a problem with most rules, the vagueness of the way they're written.

The problem that is still obviously going on is the testers making there own interpretations of the rules.

A long time ago the ministry of transport were training up people from other trades.

The idea being that they would only be able to test vehicles to the manual as they knew nothing about vehicles to make decisions like " it'll be ok till next year"

Cheers 

[minifreek1]

It is down to the testers discretion, but mine always has an advisory of "oil leak" everytime it goes for its test. I should find where its leaking from, but just CBA LOL