How to best use my time

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2F45T4U · #1 Post by **2F45T4U** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 6:29 pm

Right I go home on Wednesday. Get in at 4.20 and plan to go striaght to my car and drive it the mile from the garage to my parents driveway. It needs a few plates welding on to strengthen the front end up a bit and that should more or less be it for an MOT, hopefully!

It also needs it's head gasket replacing, I have the set at home ready and can start as soon as I get back. At idle it bubbles gently in to the expansion tank and the hoses firm up a bit.

I can't help but think it's a better idea to try and MOT it with a broken head gasket. As I can get all the welding down on wednesday evening and thursday hopefully have it ready for MOT later on Thursday. Then if it fails I've got Friday and Saturday morning to get it re-test. Then Saturday and Sunday to do the head gasket.

But will it idle for an MOT without going pop? It never used to overheat but then again I never let it idle for long. Had to make sure there was plenty of air rushing through the radiator

Oh and is it going to need that giant chrome strip (the bumper) put back on for it's MOT?

Thanks, Adam

Nick C · #2 Post by **Nick C** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 6:44 pm

A full list of the stuff they check for in the MOT can be found here: http://www.ukmot.com/1-1.asp

I can't see anything about bumpers in a quick check, as long as there are no sharp edges.

They need the engine warm to start the test (which it would be if you've just driven it there), they then run it at about 2500rpm for about 20 seconds, then let it idle for a couple of minutes while the emissions are calculated. (I watched it all this morning for mine). I'd have thought it best not to risk it with the HG though, better to change it before it goes pop, otherwise you'll have to get the head skimmed and stuff.

#3 Post by **Mad Mart** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 6:46 pm

My track Sprint has gone through 2 or 3 MOTs without bumpers.

Lewis · #4 Post by **Lewis** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 6:53 pm

I'd get it MOTd as soon as you can because there will always be something that pops up and fails it, like excess play in the rack or some other point that they want to quibble with you over....gives you some time to sort it then

Depends on wether the garage intend to leave it idling a long time to warm up for an emissions check! Bit of a roulette there!

Doc Hudson · #5 Post by **Doc Hudson** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:49 pm

you could always sellotape some £20 notes to the underside!!! But that would be wrong wouldn't it ?????

1300dolly · #6 Post by **1300dolly** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:08 pm

bumper not needed as long as there are no projections that could injure a pedestian

Do the head gasket cos if it overheats/ bubbles too much the tester can refuse to test it on saftey grounds. or the water pi$$ing out of the zorst can mess up the emissions reading.

SprintV8 · #7 Post by **SprintV8** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:09 pm

MOT'S £50.73

Plus the retest fee if it 's not returned with a couple of day's for certain item's only

.

Do what ever you think will fail before you take it

.

Then all being well thing's will look better.

Also tell them the headgasket is on it's way out so could they keep the running idle to a bare min.

xvivalve · #8 Post by **xvivalve** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:57 pm

My money is on the gasket failing the emissions.

SprintV8 · #9 Post by **SprintV8** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:10 pm

Good thinking Alun,

Best do the headgasket before you take it as well.

1300dolly · #10 Post by **1300dolly** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:24 pm

thats what i meant when i said 'water pi$$ing out of the zorst could mess up the emissions reading'!!

Nick C · #11 Post by **Nick C** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:26 pm

MOT's are £44.15 standard fee at the moment, and I believe the official policy is that certain items only need a restest at half the full value within 10 days, but that can vary according to the garage.

2F45T4U · #12 Post by **2F45T4U** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:34 pm

Hmmm tight... I'll get cracking ASAP

SprintV8 · #13 Post by **SprintV8** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:42 pm

The MOT cost's went up on Tuesday 7th November 2006 to £50.35.
That is fact.

Most Garages are still charging the old price,
But dont be suprised if your charged the new fee.

Check on the rear of the failure sheet for what's included in the retest fee's Should also be a bit on the front under item's failed.

Luckerly I dont have that trouble

.

SprintV8 · #14 Post by **SprintV8** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:00 am

Retest Charges.
The maximum fees charged for retest's are
A.
If the vehicle is left at the test station that undertakes the repair's,For repair and retest then only a partial retest is required
NO FEE.
B.
If the vehicle is brought back to the test station and retested before the end of the next working day on one or more of the following item's only, ABS warning, Bootlid, Brake Pedal Antislip, Direction Indicator's/Harzard Warning, Door's, Dropside's, Exhaust emission's Fuel Filler Cap, Headlamp Aim,Horn, Lamp's, Loading Door, Mirror's, Rear Reflector's. Registration Plates, Seat Belt's(BUT NOT THE ANCHORAGES),Seat's, Sharp Edges, Steering Wheel, Tailboard, Tailgate Vin No, Wheel's and Tyre's, Windscreen Wiper's and Washer's:only a partial retest is required,
Note only one free retest is allowed per MOT
No Fee
C.
If the vehicle leaves the test station premises and return's for a retest on item(s) other than those listed at B above the vehicle must be fully inspected on all testable item's before a test certiicate may be issued, A full test must be carried out even if a free retest is offered for makerting reason's.
FULL FEE

DavePoth · #15 Post by **DavePoth** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:46 am

I'd try to get the HG done before the MOT just because you know it needs doing. Make sure you check all of the lights and things before you go to the test.

My car also went through 2 MOTs without bumpers, no problem at all.