Technical mk1 MOT Failure - Advice please

[derekos82]

Reason for fail

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.b.2a)

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases

he said I should also get an emissions test before i bring it back for a retest

so, how much money are we talking here would anyone know, worst case/best case scenario type thing

 

[fingers99]

Post the emissions test.

 

[derekos82]

didnt get one. just the MOT refusal

 

[fingers99]

Eh?

It's a legal requirement that they issue you one.

In the meantime, get the exhaust fixed.

Did you service the car before you took it in?

 

[derekos82]

well he didnt, but did ask i get an emissions test before i return it

(did it in a council MOT centre)

 

[derekos82]

should i just bring to kwik fit and get the free quote?

 

[derekos82]

Car was serviced March 2011

 

[fingers99]

Quick Fit have always been good to me, but they are bloody expensive. A back street garage might be able to weld the exhaust up for 20/30 quid.

Fitting exhausts is easy enough -- providing you can get under the car. The trick (especially with Puntos) is getting the right part.

 

[derekos82]

booked a quote with them for tomorrow morning, it's free and gives me a ball park figure.

there is an exhaust specialist then nearer my house, i think they have 3 branches in london. might see what he says then.

if i need a new exhause or the cat is goosed we're talking hundreds here yeah?

 

[PuntoHowTo]

sounds a bit suspect to me. you should have something that is either a sheet of paper or a thing like a till receipt stapled to your failure notice

1. I'm not entirely convinced you're going to get an accurate reading anyway from an exhaust with a "major leak" and will significantly alter the emission readings
2. why hasn't he provided you with a print out?
3. why is he so keen for you to get it retested before you return it?

the whole situation stinks and I would be suspicious that he has done an emissions test at all, yes you have an exhaust problem but that it hardly rocket science and in a genuine emissions problem is unlikely to fix the fault. sounds like he's either not got the machine or its not working and he's pushing you to get the emissions tested else where so he can just check them when you come back.

 

[fingers99]

If it's a council run site, I'd be making enquiries with the council. Might get you a free MOT, anyway.

 

[s and b]

it might be blowing that bad he aborted it
or it has a modified exhaust that has no cat and no lambdas fitted
thing is just like a customer ive just spoken to unless you nail them to a tree and threaten them you never get the whole details

might not apply here of course but a council run centre im sure would normally give a print out

 

[fingers99]

Abort is most likely "genuine" cause. See if KwikFit will do you a 3 gas test while you're up there. If the gaffer is out, tip the mechanic a fiver. Get the print out!

 

[derekos82]

right all taken on board, lets see what the damage is before I go all guns blazing on admin shortcomings, the more expensive the fix the angrier i will be lol

this place looks relaxed on retests, another guy came in to have his retest, eager mechanic one said right lets get it in, old head boss mechanic said, no leave it there we'll go out and take a look.

i take this as if i sort the exhaust and get an emissions test , it;d be all done and checked in mins

 

[fingers99]

If everything else was OK, we live in hope............

 

[derekos82]

for anyone interested

I needed the front exhaust downpipe replaced
£95 at Kwik Fit (15% off when booked online)

was ready for collection 2 hours after. Very good service.

 

[nikkiy9]

i THINK i've still got a front exhaust downpipe (with flexi) only had 3k put on it, still sitting in my mothers shed,

 

[tinytim]

so did it pass the MOT?
emission test pointless if exhaust leak.......
otherwise make sure engine has new spark plugs; take the car for an "italian tune-up" and remove the air filter prior to the MOT......

 

[s and b]

so did it pass the MOT?
emission test pointless if exhaust leak.......
otherwise make sure engine has new spark plugs; take the car for an "italian tune-up" and remove the air filter prior to the MOT......

eh? scratches head

 

[derekos82]

it passed fine after the kwik fit replaced the pipe.

now I got a year to figure out how to get around the new rule about warning lights for next year

airbag warning light wont go off - ecu taken out was destroyed by water