While I should not be surprised, given the repair bills over the past year, I was pleased to see the b sail through the MOT again this year with no advisories.

All for the bargain price of £29.99.

Of course I did the decent thing and washed it before it went in, just to make it look better than it is.

After nine years and 185,000 kms, it is, as they say, starting to look a bit 'ropey' or as I prefer, a certain patina.

Still needs a new roof, I keep putting a replacement off and the original is now patched up with tape and the front end could do with a respray, but the recent talk of prices for that has put me off for another year.

Oh and I found the first signs of rust with the paint beginning to bubble up near the rear wheel arch, this would be one year after the eight year anti corrosion warranty expired which I believe the b came with?

Just thought I would share.

Glad to hear you got through the MOT OK. Is the Barchetta your daily driver?

It is, only car, averaging 20,000 kms a year or 12,000 miles for those imperialist types.

Same here although I do more mileage. Thinking about buying a 145 cloverleaf to keep the miles off.

Zem said:

All for the bargain price of £29.99.

Click to expand...

Why do they discount MOTs? Surely every garage in the country should sell an MOT at the statutory fee (which I believe is £39?)

Zem said:

Still needs a new roof, I keep putting a replacement off and the original is now patched up with tape

Click to expand...

What tape do you use - last couple of days of downpours have stored large amounts of water in the hood compartment - time for some decent tape!!

Matt

larkim said:

Why do they discount MOTs? Surely every garage in the country should sell an MOT at the statutory fee (which I believe is £39?)



What tape do you use - last couple of days of downpours have stored large amounts of water in the hood compartment - time for some decent tape!!

Matt

Click to expand...

Hope you're not complaining about a cheap MOT!

I used tape once, it didn't work. Now I don't get any water in my car at all because I adjusted the cover to close tightly on the seals.

They do a cheap MOT as a loss leader to entice people in, [standard MOT is up to almost £54.]

As for the tape, not sure what brand it is, just heavy duty waterproof stuff from the local hardware shop, and it works after a fashion. Stuck to the inside on a couple of holes, although tends to wear off on the folds when the roof goues up and down.

I did try tape on the tonneau seal once, but I think the solution above, or a new seal would be better.

I have two minds over MOTs. You have Test Stations only, and garages who do MOT's.

In theory there should be no difference (on average) between them, when only taking MOT peformance / Pass rate etc. into consideration.

If in doubt then I would select an MOT test only station, most of which are only associated/integrated into your local council/borough organisation.

Well, lucky for some I guess...

Dusted off my B now it's summer and sadly it needed two new shocks (well, techinally only one was shot but swapping one side only isn't the greatest idea) and an advisory notice thanks to rot gremlins having a sniff at the underside of my B.

I haven't put it up to treat the rust yet but it hasn't perforated the floor, just starting to make an appearance so I need to put one weekend aside for some elbow grease time.

Your £30 seems like a bargain

Zem said:

They do a cheap MOT as a loss leader to entice people in, [standard MOT is up to almost £54.]

As for the tape, not sure what brand it is, just heavy duty waterproof stuff from the local hardware shop, and it works after a fashion. Stuck to the inside on a couple of holes, although tends to wear off on the folds when the roof goues up and down.

I did try tape on the tonneau seal once, but I think the solution above, or a new seal would be better.

Click to expand...

Cheers - I've got a tear about 3in long just underneath the window (taking advantage of the weak spot around the stitching holes) which lets in water like there's no tomorrow!! I've patched other small bits with rubber solution and puncture repair patches (looked OK, actually!) but this needs a larger solution, probably a section of bike inner tube glued to the interior, with some tape on the outside for belt and braces.

Cheers!

Matt