Quote:
Quote:
I had my Toledo 16v tested last year, I was told by the tester it only needed to be a visual test, mind he did notice the front wheel bearing was a touch loose, despite being tightened just prior to the test, I think they are Chineseium specials, and generally last about a year,
I don't think testers really understand the rules, they think anything over 40 years old is exempt. Sadly, many owners do too. The number of VERY modified (ie just the logbook is original) hotrods and stuff out there which are simply incapable of passing an MoT.
As to wheel bearings, Timkin available, try Witor for a good price on them.
I'm not sure the rules themselves have remained static! When I first built the Carledo (2011 first test after build) and for several years afterwards I was offered the choice, test as the age of the CAR , 74, so visual smoke check only, OR test as the age of the ENGINE, in my case, 1988, so pre-cat, no lambda, not much different from the test for a stock post-75 Sprint, up to 4.5% CO and less than 1200ppm hydrocarbons.
But since about 2020, he's wanted to test at the age of the engine, this was fine for the Carledo which flew through as noted above, a little more problematic for the Dolomega which has a 2000 model year engine, which, by rights, should probably have a catalytic converter fitted (it certainly had one on the donor car) However i'd built to the earlier standard and not fitted the cat. Since it didn't HAVE a cat fitted, he tested to the intermediate standard, 86-92, IIRC 2.5% CO and 300ppm hydrocarbons which it passed with plenty of room to spare.
There is also a sort of loophole available, if you don't KNOW the age of the engine (or don't want to say) the tester is obliged to test the car as presented, ie the age of the CAR. So the best advice is, if he ASKS, shrug your shoulders and say "Dunno mate!" If he DOESN'T ask, don't volunteer anything!
A lot depends on the tester, if he's a sensible sort, as most ARE, he'll just cut to the chase and test it as is and without a fuss. It's perfectly reasonable to buy an engine off ebay or ANYWHERE without a clue as to EXACTLY how old it is. Most testers don't care enough to debate the grey areas. But you do come across the rare "jobsworth" variety from time to time, my advice here is simple, find another testing station more sympathetic to your cause!
Steve