10 replies to this topic

[hulahoop]

Guy who tested it was a in my opinion but I'm wondering how common these failures are:

Headlights not aimed correctly - Anyone know the height at x meters?

Indicators not flashing 60 times a minute - I have a new unit in and the indicators seem fine to me

Hazards don't flash in sync - I'd say they flash too fast so they appear almost constant

Drivers seat not secure. - Again seems fine to me, anything special you have to do to cobra seats to make them compliant?

Emissions, Hydrocarbons too high - Mixture needs to be a bit more lean? HIF44 carb

Washer jets don't provide enough water - the bottle was empty FFS!

--
1380cc
1982 Cooper S replica

[Jammy]

You have to be able to clean the windscreen, so he is correct with the washer jets. You need to fill up the bottle!

The headlights is a fairly simple fix. Not sure on the height, I'm pretty sure this has been covered so a search may turn up the solution.

If your hazards appear almost constant then this could also be a fail. Although I don't think there is a specific number of times they are meant to flash a minute they should be at a suitable rate.

The thing with the seat is a common mis-fail, especially with standard seats, because they can tip forward about an inch before the catch stops them. What seats do you have and how are they secured to the car.

With the emissions. It depends on the what you've done to the engine. Could do with just leaning off a tad, or you could try having the car rolling roaded. Also, another tip, next time you fill up, use either Shell Optimax, Esso Energy or BP Ultimate, they burn cleaner so should lower your emissions.

[The Matt]

1. He was probably just doing his job???


2. I believe that the dip is written on the slam panel on some minis, but not 100% certain. It will be something like 1.5% IIRC

3. The regulation stipulates that the indicators must flash between 60 and 120 times per minute (1 to 2 flashes per second. Maybe there is a bad earth connection on a relay, or maybe a dodgy hazard switch?

4. Same as above probably, check the connections on the hazard rocker switch and on the flasher unit.

5. They have to lock in the down position, not all Cobra subframes do, so maybe you need to look at new subbys from Cobra?

6. HC's being high (the limit being 1200 on an '82 IIRC) isn't always down to mixture, timing can effect it too.

7. Again, he's entitled to fail it on that, it's not like it's his duty to fill your washer bottle up for you. It's a bit daft taking the car for the MOT without water in the washer bottle and then complaining because he failed you on it.

Edited by mini mad me, 20 October 2006 - 02:45 PM.

[hulahoop]

ok you guys have a different attitude to MOTS on old cars than me.

The guy was being anal pure and simple.

[Jammy]

Personally I'd like to know my car was fully checked over and given a very strict MOT so I know my car is safe for the road rather than the tester to take a half arsed approach.

[The Matt]

ok you guys have a different attitude to MOTS on old cars than me.

The guy was being anal pure and simple.

That's because I used to test 'em. And if I were to pass something that should have failed and put my name on the certificate, it could be the end of my career as a tester, pure and simple.

Admittedly, some testers can be arses, but then again so can any person in any role. All I was saying is that he was justified to fail you on the items that he did and have tried to help you solve the problems.

Personally, if it had been me testing, I would have at least offered to ammend the headlamp aim as it is easy to do whilst testing (as you have the headlamp alignment test tool already setup). That one is tricky to get right at home.

[clubman katie B.F]

ok you guys have a different attitude to MOTS on old cars than me.

The guy was being anal pure and simple.

am not aware of MOT rules being different for old cars.....the standards are standards unfortunately

[Jammy]

ok you guys have a different attitude to MOTS on old cars than me.

The guy was being anal pure and simple.

am not aware of MOT rules being different for old cars.....the standards are standards unfortunately

*whispers*emissions test, seat belts, need for side repeaters....

[The Matt]

ok you guys have a different attitude to MOTS on old cars than me.

The guy was being anal pure and simple.

am not aware of MOT rules being different for old cars.....the standards are standards unfortunately

*whispers*emissions test, seat belts, need for side repeaters....

1 house point to Jammy *

[Jordie]

Note mind,

A garage can refuse to do you an emissions test if your oil level is too low, as with coolant aswell.

The MOT guy was just doing his job, At work i control the booking and MOT's for our Testers. They can get some right stick from customers which they do not deserve.

There is however standards in the test, BUT not all standards may apply to your car.

Example, my car doesnt neeed side repeaters. Some one fitted wings with the holes in, so i have put some in and left them unwired. If i went for a MOT it would fail for this, but if i take them out, it would be a pass.

A mini friendly garage will always be able to assist you better then a normal garage.

Best place for MOT's is your local council, as they have no incentives to fail you to produce work for themselves. But if its gunna fail, it will do wherever u take it.

[Guess-Works.com]

If your indicators and hazards are erratic, then I would check you have the right bulbs in, think 15w is right... and then replace the flasher units.

Head lamp aim, when I set new lamps on mine, I set the aim so when on dipped the flat part of the beam is level with the center of the light, at least them it's not far off and most MOT'ers will adjust them if that is the only fail on the MOT..

The drivers seat must lock, and not flex side to side.

Emissions, weaken the mixture by turning the mixture screw counter clockwise until the engine starts to hunt, then richen slowly till idle becomes steady. If it still fails the MOT on emissions then you will need to get it professionally tuned.

Washer bottle... doh!