Just had an mot done. Passed without problems but about 10 minutes after driving out of the garage I had the car hiccup 3 times. Once in 1st gear, and twice in third! This is during the course of 30 minutes. I am really worried and don't know what they've done. I looked at he mot certain and noticed they have apparently fitted still covers and underlays - the note is scribbled next to the exhaust system test tickbox. No idea what that means and if that has anything to do with the hiccups! They did not mention anything to me at the garage. Just said it passed. Does anyone have any idea?
Just had mot done - car started hiccups!
- Thread starter k3ab
- Start date
badwolf456
Member
Sorry just had too reply too this!
Why do you and others like you instantly blame the MOT tester? As an Authorised Examiner and NT (MOT tester),
the chances of anything untoward having been done to your vehicle during the test is ZILCH! During the test nothing is allowed to be removed or tampered with, we can't even take wheels off to inspect brakes. Purely bad luck unfortunately your car is a piece of machinery and machinery fails, but in this BLAME culture I suppose this does not occur its always somebodys fault.
Makes me BLOODY MAD!
BADWOLF456
p.s I genuinely hope its nothing serious.
Why do you and others like you instantly blame the MOT tester? As an Authorised Examiner and NT (MOT tester),
the chances of anything untoward having been done to your vehicle during the test is ZILCH! During the test nothing is allowed to be removed or tampered with, we can't even take wheels off to inspect brakes. Purely bad luck unfortunately your car is a piece of machinery and machinery fails, but in this BLAME culture I suppose this does not occur its always somebodys fault.
Makes me BLOODY MAD!
BADWOLF456
p.s I genuinely hope its nothing serious.
Agree with BW456 - NOT a fault of the MOT tester. And they certainly dont fit anything during a test. AND what the h*ll are still covers and underlays..... . Are you sure you weren't give an advisory notice in respect of a potential future defect. If so the Examiner will have explained this to you. As Srhutch, maybe this is a coil pack breaking down or the O2 sensor - a quick trip to you dealer and a view of the fault codes should identify any issues. Bosch Coil Packs on 'e' bay are £30 each - link below. You might just need one but if it is a coil pack I would replace all 6 but that's just me. Not sure about 02 sensor costs. Quick search will show you of the issues others have had with these two items. Both are easy to fix.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-03-ALL-Coil-Pack-GENUINE-BOSCH-QUALITY-/150424869205?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2306055955
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Z4-03-ALL-Coil-Pack-GENUINE-BOSCH-QUALITY-/150424869205?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2306055955
From my point of view though - had the car for a year and it never missed a beat. It goes for an MOT and within 10 minutes appears to have a fault. Excuse my ignorance as I do not know much about the inner workings of a car nor do I know what is involved in the MOT test. I am still wondering what those parts they fitted are.
My O2 sensor went a couple of weeks ago, what caused it?, pulling away from a set of temporary traffic lights with a heavy right foot. This is why I suggest the emmision test may have caused it as the engine is not normally driven in this way and it seems common for these sensors to go under these sort of circumstances.
Not the fault of the tester, just one of those things.
Not the fault of the tester, just one of those things.
badwolf456
Member
Reply to srhutch,
During a BET (Basic emissions test) petrol emissions test the engine is held at 2500-3000 rpm for approx 30 secs,
and is required to meet 3 limits Co, Lambda,and Hydrocarbons, if it fails this (which I doubt a Z would of a good
maintainance history) it is held at this speed for a further 180 secs to give it an opportunity to come up to full
operating temprature etc. Never in thirty years of testing have I witnessed a O2 sensor failing during a test. BS.
BADWOLF456
During a BET (Basic emissions test) petrol emissions test the engine is held at 2500-3000 rpm for approx 30 secs,
and is required to meet 3 limits Co, Lambda,and Hydrocarbons, if it fails this (which I doubt a Z would of a good
maintainance history) it is held at this speed for a further 180 secs to give it an opportunity to come up to full
operating temprature etc. Never in thirty years of testing have I witnessed a O2 sensor failing during a test. BS.
BADWOLF456
badwolf456 said:
Whilst I am sure you're a decent, above-board MOT tester, I don't think you can rule out MOT tester inferefence at all!
When I had my 300zx, I took it to a "respectactable" MOT test station and garage, and it passed first time with a hand-written advisory of low oil.
Now, in hindsight, that should have raised a question in my head, as as far as I know, there's no need whatsoever for an MOT tester to be checking the oil level?
Anyways.. like I say, the car passed first time, so I picked it up and start driving home.
About 2 miles into my homeward journey, my oil pressure waring light came on and there was a really bad smell of burning oil.
I pulled over to the side, popped the hood, and lo and behold, the oil filler cap was missing - as in, nowhere to be found.
Whilst waiting for an AA tow, I phoned the garage and asked what the hell, and they denied ever removing the cap.
Seems strange to me that it must have been there on the way TOO the station, and if the mechanic was "kind" enough to check my oil level, he'd have spotted such a glaringly obvious problem.
so, there are DEFINATELY idiotic, sub-standard MOT testers out there, and if his car was perfectly fine when he dropped it off, I could understand where he's coming from..
But he's not even directly blaming the MOT guys - he's just stating that he doesn't know what they've done (and neither do I or a few others on here).
Maybe if he (we) knew what they have done, he wouldn't have questioned it?
Could "still covers and underlays" be protective covers fitted whilst the inspection was carried out?.
Only thing they do with the exhaust is stick a sensor probe up it as far as I know, think its been an unfortunate coincidence to be honest.
Just had 1st MOT done at National Tyres in Ayr, the guy who did it was very thorough, very pleasant, and didn't mind me poking around and chatting whilst the car was on the ramp. and the cheapest in town at £40.00.
Only thing they do with the exhaust is stick a sensor probe up it as far as I know, think its been an unfortunate coincidence to be honest.
Just had 1st MOT done at National Tyres in Ayr, the guy who did it was very thorough, very pleasant, and didn't mind me poking around and chatting whilst the car was on the ramp. and the cheapest in town at £40.00.
badwolf456
Member
Reply to sk93
Thanks for the nice comments M8.
Unfortunately once again WRONG! Its a requirement prior to starting an emission test that the NT checks there is sufficient oil
in the engine, at which point he or she can refuse too complete the test accordingly. Sorry If I have appeared abrasive, but I am
sick sore and tired of my profession being drawn into disripute by bad apples and a total lack of knowledge. In most European
countries Vehicle technicians are treated like Doctors, Dentists, Archietects, unfortunately in Britain were looked on as servants
and "Grease Monkeys". Please use this as a rule of thumb, If you dont trust the individual or garage your using "Vote with your
feet"! Go somewhere else theres loads of good reputable business's out there. And anyway WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITHOUT US,
when the s**t really hits the fan! Respect people! If anyone has any MOT related questions please feel free too contact me I will
gladly endevour to help.
BADWOLF 456.
Thanks for the nice comments M8.
Unfortunately once again WRONG! Its a requirement prior to starting an emission test that the NT checks there is sufficient oil
in the engine, at which point he or she can refuse too complete the test accordingly. Sorry If I have appeared abrasive, but I am
sick sore and tired of my profession being drawn into disripute by bad apples and a total lack of knowledge. In most European
countries Vehicle technicians are treated like Doctors, Dentists, Archietects, unfortunately in Britain were looked on as servants
and "Grease Monkeys". Please use this as a rule of thumb, If you dont trust the individual or garage your using "Vote with your
feet"! Go somewhere else theres loads of good reputable business's out there. And anyway WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITHOUT US,
when the s**t really hits the fan! Respect people! If anyone has any MOT related questions please feel free too contact me I will
gladly endevour to help.
BADWOLF 456.
badwolf456
Member
p.s. It says quite clearly in his post "I dont know what they've done", obviously I'm not a lawyer but that sounds like an accusation too me!
As I said.. "as far as I knew"... I'm not a MOT technician. 
Probably the reason people in your profession are looked upon as "grease monkeys" is because of the vast number of cowboys that your trade employs.
You only have to look in your local KwikShit for a fine example of "professionals" (granted, there's one or two that are good.. but come on.).
And then you have idiots like I had to deal with, who could easily have wrecked my car if I hadn't stopped as soon as I noticed an issue. Even main dealers can be a right handfull of donkeys at times.
I believe I'm right in saying that 3/4 of garages offered sub-standard service to its customers according to Which? magazine.. so there must be a fair few dodgy individuals out there, even if the survey may a bit one-sided.
But like you say, on the flipside, there are really good mechanics out there and it's good to shop around...
But come on.. he's not targetting you, and he hasn't blasted the MOT test station either
Respect has to be earned - it's not a given imo. But you also need to respect people's right to query any work done by any professional, in any field.
(ps, I'm in IT, and trust me, being called a "nerd" or "geek" and treated as if your a lower-level, useless employee that knows feck all, when offering technical support for some big-shot salesman who MUST have flash on his new iPad is pretty shitty too mate - so I can understand your frustration 8) )
Probably the reason people in your profession are looked upon as "grease monkeys" is because of the vast number of cowboys that your trade employs.
You only have to look in your local KwikShit for a fine example of "professionals" (granted, there's one or two that are good.. but come on.).
And then you have idiots like I had to deal with, who could easily have wrecked my car if I hadn't stopped as soon as I noticed an issue. Even main dealers can be a right handfull of donkeys at times.
I believe I'm right in saying that 3/4 of garages offered sub-standard service to its customers according to Which? magazine.. so there must be a fair few dodgy individuals out there, even if the survey may a bit one-sided.
But like you say, on the flipside, there are really good mechanics out there and it's good to shop around...
But come on.. he's not targetting you, and he hasn't blasted the MOT test station either
Respect has to be earned - it's not a given imo. But you also need to respect people's right to query any work done by any professional, in any field.
(ps, I'm in IT, and trust me, being called a "nerd" or "geek" and treated as if your a lower-level, useless employee that knows feck all, when offering technical support for some big-shot salesman who MUST have flash on his new iPad is pretty shitty too mate - so I can understand your frustration 8) )
badwolf456 said:
Helps if you read the whole paragraph
Lets just chill out a bit - I'm sure the OP meant no offense towards yourself, or your trade. Just merely wanted some advice and guidance
I'm the first to admit that sometimes I read and write things on internet forums that are often misread or badly worded (I even do it on company emails, which is never good), so shall we just put it down to that, take no offence, and try and help the fella?
badwolf456
Member
sk93 said:As I said.. "as far as I knew"... I'm not a MOT technician.
Probably the reason people in your profession are looked upon as "grease monkeys" is because of the vast number of cowboys that your trade employs.
You only have to look in your local KwikShit for a fine example of "professionals" (granted, there's one or two that are good.. but come on.).
And then you have idiots like I had to deal with, who could easily have wrecked my car if I hadn't stopped as soon as I noticed an issue. Even main dealers can be a right handfull of donkeys at times.
I believe I'm right in saying that 3/4 of garages offered sub-standard service to its customers according to Which? magazine.. so there must be a fair few dodgy individuals out there, even if the survey may a bit one-sided.
But like you say, on the flipside, there are really good mechanics out there and it's good to shop around...
But come on.. he's not targetting you, and he hasn't blasted the MOT test station either
Respect has to be earned - it's not a given imo. But you also need to respect people's right to query any work done by any professional, in any field.
(ps, I'm in IT, and trust me, being called a "nerd" or "geek" and treated as if your a lower-level, useless employee that knows feck all, when offering technical support for some big-shot salesman who MUST have flash on his new iPad is pretty shitty too mate - so I can understand your frustration 8) )
And you told me too take a "Chill Pill" LOL.
I take your comments on board and agree with most, however trust me when I tell you I have earned the respect and the friendship of the vast majority of my
customers, and really appreciated the IT guy that repaired my diagnostic computer recently when even the manufacturer was at a loss.
