General Advisories on MOT

[Kazziem]

Hello, am newbie here and bought my 2017 fiat 500 just over a year ago. The MOT had no advisories when I bought ut and I’ve only done 3800 miles and it’s now at 60k. Took it for MOT and was shocked and what came up. It’s passed but quite a few advisories! I’ve sort of lost confidence in this car and feel ripped off as garage said it’s prob going to be £1k plus to do the work? Does anybody know of a Fiat specialist near Downham Market Norfolk? The advisories are

• Significant corrosion underneath the vehicle
• Oil leak
• Rear axle lower spring mounts corroded
• Exhaust system extensively corroded, with rear exhaust clamp missing
• Rear brake pipes corroded and swollen under insulation

Thanks for reading and any advice appreciated. Single older female here not wanting to be ripped off!

 

[sandeel999]

Nick harper norwich fiat and alfa specialist

 

[John202020]

The car is nearly 10 years old so it's not unusual for this
Rusty exhaust no worries until it fails totally, lost rear clamp not an issue but easily replaced for a few £s
Rusty rear beam shouldn't be a great issue but maybe worth treating
Brake pipes may well need doing, you can get a pair ready made for about £30 plus two new wheel cylinders £20, fitting is the expensive bit, it's a simple job though
Oil leak not an issue unless it leaves significant marks on the road, but keep an eye on the level
Don't over worry

 

[jrkitching]

The car is nearly 10 years old so it's not unusual for this

Agreed. Most cars of this age will be in a similar condition.

 

[steveras57]

Agreed. Most cars of this age will be in a similar condition.

I agree to all above! Its fair to say the consistency of M.O.T testing in the uk leaves something to be desired with one garage listing nothing and the next producing an advisory list as long as your arm! this is NOT unusual and is not necessarily a reflection of your car being in particularly poor condition! just one testers opinion differing from another's! perhaps a new guy trying to impress his boss with his "diligence!" etc.
None of your advisory's are uncommon and most reasonably easily fixed at not to much expense!
From your list Brake pipes and exhaust best done first! then the other stuff as and when you feel you can afford it! Dont panic and feel free to come back to us with any concerns or for further advise as and when you need it ,the experience base here is vast with many people willing to help!
Its what the forums are for and about!
AND there's nothing that cant be dealt with one way or another!
Relax we are here to help!.

 

[Jockstrap]

Sounds like you would not be looking to do any work yourself.
There's a recommendation above you could get a second opinion. Especially what's it worth?
You have an MOT so enough time to get another garage opinion. Alternatively AA or RAC if your a member?

 

[The Panda Nut]

Nick harper norwich fiat and alfa specialist

Ive heard good things of him several times.
As others have said nothing unexpected for a car of thisn age.
You dont need a Fiat specialist for any of this work. One of the things about small Fiats is they are simple to work onand any good garage will be able to help with these issues.

If you can stretch to Dereham I use NRG. (Norwich Road Garage). There are two men work here and they are both good and interested. The labour rate is I think £60 an hour which is good these days and they have never overcharged in any way. I am at the stage where I feel I can let them get on with it.

ALWAYS deal with the brake issues staight away. If you would like another slightly more informed opinion I will have a look at the car if we can sort a fine day. I could come across and meet in Downham. Incidentally the exhaust clamps supplied by Fiat are a bit of a joke and I have had several disappear but they would be £10 fitted at worst.
If you would like me to look send me a message on the Forums mail system and we can arrange to meet. Tesco car park would do.

 

[jrkitching]

perhaps a new guy trying to impress his boss with his "diligence!" etc

or perhaps a garage looking to generate a little extra business?

That's one reason why I favour those garages which do only MOT's, and do not do repairs. They tend to be more trade focused, and since the trade won't thank them for putting a shedload of advisories on a car they're planning to sell, they use advisories only sparingly.

 

[jrkitching]

Incidentally the exhaust clamps supplied by Fiat are a bit of a joke and I have had several disappear but they would be £10 fitted at worst.

They do tend to rust away, but the only critical one is the one securing the front end to the gearbox - if that fails, it can crack the manifold, which isn't a fun repair. This really should be checked every time the car is serviced (it takes only seconds if the car is on a ramp), and replaced if in any doubt.

The rest of the exhaust is secured by the hangers, not the clamps. It's worth checking the rubber mountings are sound, but the OEM ones at least usually outlast the exhaust.

The clamp at the back just serves to hold the two sections of the exhaust together when the exhaust is first fitted. Once it's been in service for a few months, corrosion means this joint isn't coming apart anytime soon (anyone who's tried just replacing the backbox will know this!), so you can safely ignore this one - and it's often missing on older cars. On OEM exhausts, this clamp is actually part of the backbox (saves time in the factory), but most aftermarket fitments just use a standard U clamp, which costs pennies and works just fine.

The outer skin of the backbox often starts peeling away (and can even be removed if this gets worse), which will generally get you an advisory, but they remain serviceable and can last for several more years in this state.

This is an older car. Maintenance needs to be focused on keeping it safe, not trying to make it perfect.

 

[The Panda Nut]

They do tend to rust away, but the only critical one is the one securing the front end to the gearbox - if that fails, it can crack the manifold, which isn't a fun repair. This really should be checked every time the car is serviced (it takes only seconds if the car is on a ramp), and replaced if in any doubt.

The rest of the exhaust is secured by the hangers, not the clamps. It's worth checking the rubber mountings are sound, but the OEM ones at least usually outlast the exhaust.

The clamp at the back just serves to hold the two sections of the exhaust together when the exhaust is first fitted. Once it's been in service for a few months, corrosion means this joint isn't coming apart anytime soon (anyone who's tried just replacing the backbox will know this!), so you can safely ignore this one - and it's often missing on older cars. On OEM exhausts, this clamp is actually part of the backbox (saves time in the factory), but most aftermarket fitments just use a standard U clamp, which costs pennies and works just fine.

The outer skin of the backbox often starts peeling away (and can even be removed if this gets worse), which will generally get you an advisory, but they remain serviceable and can last for several more years in this state.

This is an older car. Maintenance needs to be focused on keeping it safe, not trying to make it perfect.

I agree with this, but our car failed its MOT due to an exhaust leak entirely caused by the missing back clamp so while nealry all the time you are right I would still replace a missing rear clamp before an MOT as its cheaper than a failure.

 

[GettinBetter]

....won't thank them for putting a shedload of advisories on a car they're planning to sell, they use advisories only sparingly.

That's what I was thinking.
If the garage that was selling it, did their own MOT's, then it wouldn't have any advisories, but as soon as you you take it elsewhere.....