24 replies to this topic

[DClarke1954]

Like everyone else on here I suspect, I would much rather be rolling around in a car that has an MOT.

While the "Historic Status" of my Mini may make the car technically exempt from testing I think an insurer might be tempted to walk-away if you were to have an accident.

 

Therefore, throwing caution to the winds I have arranged with my Brother-in-law to take the Mini to his place for him to inspect it.

 

Worst-case.... It fails and I get a nice list of things to get fixed as a matter of urgency.

Middle-case.... A pass with some advisories.

Very Best-Case (unlikely).... A clean pass.

 

Please keep the roads in and around Basildon clear of all traffic on Weds from 10 till mid-day if you could be so kind.  Many thanks. 

 

Many thanks,

 

Dan.

[DeadSquare]

Like everyone else on here I suspect, I would much rather be rolling around in a car that has an MOT.

While the "Historic Status" of my Mini may make the car technically exempt from testing I think an insurer might be tempted to walk-away if you were to have an accident.

 

Therefore, throwing caution to the winds I have arranged with my Brother-in-law to take the Mini to his place for him to inspect it.

 

Worst-case.... It fails and I get a nice list of things to get fixed as a matter of urgency.

Middle-case.... A pass with some advisories.

Very Best-Case (unlikely).... A clean pass.

 

Please keep the roads in and around Basildon clear of all traffic on Weds from 10 till mid-day if you could be so kind.  Many thanks. 

 

Many thanks,

 

Dan.

Sadiq Khan has had you in mind, for years.

[beardylondon]

Your sentiment is good, but if this were the case, insurance companies not paying out for classics without MOTs, we would have heard more about it by now.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
I think bringing back the MOT say every 2 years, isn’t a bad idea.
However I’ve saved approximately £350 not having to MOT my Mk1 since it came in , which I’ve put towards other maintenance, so every cloud and all that.

[enne]

Here in Germany only new cars have a certain period of time without technical inspection. After that, you need to go every two years.

[lsto]

Like everyone else on here I suspect, I would much rather be rolling around in a car that has an MOT.
While the "Historic Status" of my Mini may make the car technically exempt from testing I think an insurer might be tempted to walk-away if you were to have an accident.

Therefore, throwing caution to the winds I have arranged with my Brother-in-law to take the Mini to his place for him to inspect it.

Worst-case.... It fails and I get a nice list of things to get fixed as a matter of urgency.
Middle-case.... A pass with some advisories.
Very Best-Case (unlikely).... A clean pass.

Please keep the roads in and around Basildon clear of all traffic on Weds from 10 till mid-day if you could be so kind. Many thanks.

Many thanks,

Dan.

Personally I like the MOT exemption but I also like to keep my vehicle in good condition, one because I use it everyday and want it to be safe and reliable and more importantly I take my kids out in it and if anything we're to happen I would never forgive myself.

It's piece of mind as well knowing your driving something safe. Also if your in Basildon maybe look at the south eastern vintage and classic car club. It's not a mini club but a vintage vehicle club, they do a London to Southend run every year as well as numerous other shows, events and runs. They meet every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Rayleigh lodge. It's only 20 quid a year to join, nice friendly group.

[Chris1275gt]

Personally I get a test every year, should the proverbial hit the fan at least you have a certificate that proves the vehicle on said day and time was deemed to be road worthy and it’s only a mere £60 a year.

[DClarke1954]

Yes to all of the above comments, exemption is a "get out of jail free" card but it is so much better and relatively easy as a task to obtain and to know that the car has passed muster on an inspection of the vital safety elements.

I agree that the fee is well worth the money for the ticket.  I have not let my grand-kids travel in it yet because it doesn't have said ticket.  When it does, they may.

Edited by DClarke1954, 23 February 2025 - 09:46 AM.

[MatthewsDad]

I got a fresh MOT last week after a period on SORN. Peace of mind, no hassle, and if it fails they're doing you a favour by calling out something you haven't spotted?

[DClarke1954]

The MOT failed at the first hurdle. 

On my drive over there I felt that the steering was slipping/notchy when executing turning a low/no speed.

So you ended up with the steering wheel off centre but the wheels straight-ahead.

We had a rummage around and the consensus was that we should not proceed with a test, and I drove it (very gently and carefully) home again.

The pinch-bolt is fully tight, but something has "gone",  I suspect it is inside the rack and the splines are slipping there.

Not the world's most expensive parts and probably 4 hours of labour?

 

C'est-la-vie   

[stuart bowes]

or the splines where the steering column goes onto the rack  ?

[sonscar]

Or the U bolts loose?Steve..

[DClarke1954]

Thanks for the input.

The U-Bolts are tight, the pinch-bolt operated sleeve "could" be slipping I suppose, but it is done up way beyond tight, so that means the splines are gone, the pinch-bolt sleeve is worn out, ot the rack has failed internally.

What I am shocked at is a £600 ..£700 quote to replace and repair.     I thought a new rack would be <£180 and maybe 4-5 hours of labour.

[68+86auto]

Thanks for the input.

The U-Bolts are tight, the pinch-bolt operated sleeve "could" be slipping I suppose, but it is done up way beyond tight, so that means the splines are gone, the pinch-bolt sleeve is worn out, ot the rack has failed internally.

What I am shocked at is a £600 ..£700 quote to replace and repair.     I thought a new rack would be <£180 and maybe 4-5 hours of labour.

 

The subframe needs to be lowered to replace the rack. It'll then need an alignment too.

Most likely it's just the column spline. The column needs to be installed correctly or else it will strip out. It doesn't matter how tight you do the bolt now if it's already damaged.

[timmy850]

Changing a steering rack in a mini is a bit more complicated than some other cars. That said £600-700 does sound like a lot

Have you tried a mini specialist mechanic for a quote?

[Cooperman]

New steering rack from Mini Spares £85 inc VAT.

To change the rack you need to drop the back of the front sub-frame by around 60 mm.

That entails removing front dampers, undoing top engine engine steady at the block, removing top tower bolts, removing sub-frame to front floor mountings, loosening front mountings, undoing the track rod ends, removing the rack attachment U-bolts, removing the pinch bolt and pulling the column clear of the splines. Depending on the type of exhaust fitted I think the exhaust may have to be undone. The rack is withdrawn from the driver's side.

it's a DIY job for a Mini enthusiast and I think it should be around a 5-hour job.

For a garage I would expect to pay around £450.