MOT Advisories

[SteveJ]

New to all this looking to buy a E85,my question is should I be concerned about the below advisories

Oil leak but no excessive
Near side/Offside Front brake hose slightly deteriorated
Nearside rear brake pipe corroded and covered in grease

Other than that for a 2006 it’s only done 49,000 miles and last owner has had it for 16 years

 

[T_J_G]

There’s not much there that would put me off on a car of the age, all things you’ll end up replacing anyway eventually

 

[enuff_zed]

So budget for two new flexi hoses on the front.
Oil leak could be rocker cover gasket or oil filter housing gasket. Neither a big issue and easily fixed.
The brake pipe one could just be mot ass covering as if it is covered in grease they cannot see if it’s corroded so make it an advisory to cover themselves if something failed later on

 

[Rldee007]

I would get the break line checked or replaced if you get the car.
I had a similar comment as advisory, next MOT nothing came up. Less than two months later break line collapsed, caliper siezed and diswarped. It all needed to be replaced with new fluid. It happened very suddenly when doing a 12 mile trip down a motorway.
Oil leak wouldn't bother me and you might be able to fix it yourself.

 

[Mr Tidy]

That's nothing unusual for a 2006 car.

Oil leaks from the cam-cover and/or oil filter housing gaskets when they go brittle over time.

But the rear brake pipes are quite involved to replace, and usually both corrode. The offside one is tricky because it passes across the car behind the fuel tank.

My 2006 Coupe had advisories for rear brake pipes 2 years running so I got them both replaced in kunifer in 2017.

 

[SteveJ]

Thanks chaps..the only other thing is that on the 2022 MOT Nearside front suspension arm pin or bush worn
but not resulting in excessive movement at rear of lower arm was also an advisory also

 

[SteveJ]

Assuming that the oil leak is either the rocker cover gasket or oil filter what would I be looking money wise to get them all sorted and start with a clean sheet?.Would’nt be doing it myself but a probably an independent BMW specialist

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks chaps..the only other thing is that on the 2022 MOT Nearside front suspension arm pin or bush worn
but not resulting in excessive movement at rear of lower arm was also an advisory also

Commonly known as a lollipop bush. From experience if it’s an advisory it will start to knock and need changing before the next mot.

 

[SteveJ]

Thanks fella.what would I be looking at cost wise for the lollipop!..

 

[SteveJ]

Thanks fella.what would I be looking at cost wise for the lollipop!..

 

[Mr Tidy]

If it had an MOT after 2022 that didn't mention the suspension issue you'd have to assume it had been addressed.

As to costs it may depend what engine it has, but I'll assume it's the N52 fitted to the 2.5i, 2.5Si and 3.0Si. I bought an E90 330i with that engine in 2019 and the month before the previous owner had new oil and filter plus a cam-cover gasket by his local garage in Cambridgeshire. He got a bill for £650, but they also had to drill out 2 snapped bolts, so it ought to be less than that!

In 2021 I had an oil service and a new oil filter housing and oil cooler gaskets done by a local ex-Sytner Indy for £363.

Getting them all done together would definitely be cheaper, but if you cleaned all the leaked oil off you ought to be able to see where the oil was coming form.

ETA In 2019 I had the front lollipop bushes replaced on my previous E86 by a BMW Indy for £168.

 

[enuff_zed]

Assuming that the oil leak is either the rocker cover gasket or oil filter what would I be looking money wise to get them all sorted and start with a clean sheet?.Would’nt be doing it myself but a probably an independent BMW specialist

Labour charges will be the biggest cost. None of those jobs are very difficult.
Not sure of your circumstances but if you wanted to learn and get a bit hands on then possibly you can see if there’s a member near you who could help out.

 

[SteveJ]

Yeah I’d be up for that!.. been planning on getting my Zed for years now and finally in a position to do it,it will be my pride and joy!..2 stage paint correction,detail interior valet and a wheel refurb are my plans in the first few months as well,how would you suggest I go about seeing if another member near me wants to try to teach this old dog some new tricks re the MOT stuff?

 

[Mr Tidy]

Putting your location in your Avatar/Profile might help!

Or just saying where you are located.

 

[colb]

Update your User details with your location and car model details so they appear to the left of your posts. It helps us to answer your questions since we are Worldwide on here. If you are anywhere near South Wales you would be welcome to join our Zedshed Cymru Whats App Group where we all keep in touch and assist each other doing jobs on our cars. We also have runouts and attend some Classic Car Shows during the year.

 

[enuff_zed]

I’m in the middle of nowhere (aka Norfolk) and always happy to lend a hand.