Pre MOT checks

Pondy

Pondy

Muppet
 At the summit of the picturesque fens
Our E89 is going for an MOT on Monday and I have to confess it's a long time since I had an MOT done on any car (at least 25 years).
I have checked all the light bulbs are OK, wipers and washers work, tyres are all good, brake discs and pads etc, but are there any other things I should check as I don't want any advisories let alone a fail?
Ta
 
Sometimes with BMWs it's worth a quick look for signs of minor oil leaks that haven't yet been noticed.

Oh, and make sure the wood trim is nicely polished.
 
My Z passed every mot last 9 years, only "fail" was headlight beam too high, they lowered it then passed it. Didn't tell me until i read paperwork.
 
tiglon said:
Sometimes with BMWs it's worth a quick look for signs of minor oil leaks that haven't yet been noticed.

Oh, and make sure the wood trim is nicely polished.
Click to expand...
Good shout thanks. :thumbsup:
The E89 hasn't got the trees, it's got weight-saving carbon fibre plastic.
 
Pondrew said:
tiglon said:
Sometimes with BMWs it's worth a quick look for signs of minor oil leaks that haven't yet been noticed.

Oh, and make sure the wood trim is nicely polished.
Click to expand...
Good shout thanks. :thumbsup:
The E89 hasn't got the trees, it's got weight-saving carbon fibre plastic.
Click to expand...

Ah sorry, I missed the E89 bit - I just see the Alpina and get carried away....
 
Smartbear said:
Check the wheels arenโ€™t cracked on the inside rims
Click to expand...
I have 326s Rob, I take them all off and check them every time the car goes anywhere (paranoid I am). :thumbsup:
Hope you're feeling better BTW.
 
Busterboo said:
Wow, that is brave ... driving cars without MoTs for so long.
Click to expand...
I live in Lincolnshire mate. We have our own laws; basically there aren't any.
Only getting an MOT because it's cheaper than a service :D
 
Steering joints, seat belts not frayed and work, hand brake okay and someone on here said to make sure that the wheel liners are clean as mot guys like to see clean cars. Although yours most likely is . :thumbsup:
 
Check all lights are working, side, dip, main beam, indicators, hazards, fogs, brake. check dash for warning lights. Check wiper blades for splits, check operation of wipers on all speeds, check screen and headlamp washers.
Check horn, check seat belts for wear, fraying and operation.
Check security and operation of seats.
Check operation of door handles from inside and outside the vehicle.
Jack up front and check each front wheel. Hold at top and bottom and try to rock to check wheel bearings for play, hold at 9 and 3 o'clock and try to move to check for play in steering. Remove each wheel, check tyres and wheel rims, check for broken springs, inspect and wipe clean the shock absorbers, check solid and flexible brake pipes for corrosion and splits. Check brakes discs and pads for wear, corrosion, cracks. Check ball joints for play and splits in rubber boots.
Jack up rear of car and try to move the wheels as per front to check for wear in bushes. Remove wheels, check tyres and rims, check for broken springs, inspect and wipe clean the shock absorbers, check solid and flexible brake pipes for corrosion and splits. Check brake discs and pads for wear, corrosion and cracks. Check driveshafts for play and splits in CV boots.
Check operation of handbrake and adjust if necessary.
Check windscreen for damage in the prescribed areas.
Check filler cap for fit and leaks.
Check tyre pressures because you can fail now for a tyre with low pressure!
Wash and clean the car inside and out as cleanliness is next to roadworthiness.

This is my routine, usually takes about 90 minutes and in 20 years of doing this for up to 9 vehicles in the family I've had one fail for a leaking shock absorber on a Toyota Rav4
 
Stevepj said:
Check all lights are working, side, dip, main beam, indicators, hazards, fogs, brake. check dash for warning lights. Check wiper blades for splits, check operation of wipers on all speeds, check screen and headlamp washers.
Check horn, check seat belts for wear, fraying and operation.
Check security and operation of seats.
Check operation of door handles from inside and outside the vehicle.
Jack up front and check each front wheel. Hold at top and bottom and try to rock to check wheel bearings for play, hold at 9 and 3 o'clock and try to move to check for play in steering. Remove each wheel, check tyres and wheel rims, check for broken springs, inspect and wipe clean the shock absorbers, check solid and flexible brake pipes for corrosion and splits. Check brakes discs and pads for wear, corrosion, cracks. Check ball joints for play and splits in rubber boots.
Jack up rear of car and try to move the wheels as per front to check for wear in bushes. Remove wheels, check tyres and rims, check for broken springs, inspect and wipe clean the shock absorbers, check solid and flexible brake pipes for corrosion and splits. Check brake discs and pads for wear, corrosion and cracks. Check driveshafts for play and splits in CV boots.
Check operation of handbrake and adjust if necessary.
Check windscreen for damage in the prescribed areas.
Check filler cap for fit and leaks.
Check tyre pressures because you can fail now for a tyre with low pressure!
Wash and clean the car inside and out as cleanliness is next to roadworthiness.
Click to expand...
Thanks matey. I am going to have a VERY busy day tomorrow :thumbsup:
I think I may now start on the Alp aswell; it needs an MOT in October :D
 
Pondrew, the indy who I've depended on for the last 15 years offers a Pre MoT Service check whereby he will check out all the relevant items, and then he drives it to the test centre and all being well, I get the Zed back with the all important piece of paper - usually all on the same day.
Maybe someone in Spaldinski area offers the same service? Just a thought. Good luck with it anyway :thumbsup:
 
Pondrew said:
Thanks matey. I am going to have a VERY busy day tomorrow :thumbsup:
I think I may now start on the Alp aswell; it needs an MOT in October :D
Click to expand...
Once you've done it a couple of times it doesn't take that long, plus you get to know your car a little better and can spot any upcoming issues.
Don't forget, you're only looking at most parts so all you really need is a light and a cloth.
Do the checks in the month before your MOT is due and you have time to fix anything that needs it, or if you're happy everything is OK you can get tested early ๐Ÿ‘
Forget to mention the exhaust in the previous post ๐Ÿ˜‚ check for security, corrosion and leaks.
 
Does anybody know if the headlight washers are a fail, or advisory?
The only issue I can see is that one of the headlamp washer jets isn't popping out and washing the offside light. The nearside is fine. If it's not an MOT problem I won't bother messing about with it in the freezing cold.
 
Just take it in, there is so much you cannot know that might be wrong, emissions etc and no one really cares if an MOT has advisories on it anyway..
 
mcbutler said:
Just take it in, there is so much you cannot know that might be wrong, emissions etc and no one really cares if an MOT has advisories on it anyway..
Click to expand...
That's a fair point Mark :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom