Technical MoT Failure - Welding in W. Sussex?

[John P]

Hi All,

Well put my little white 750 I bought six months back in for an MoT, and lo and behold it failed... Not a huge surprise, as I'd spotted most of the problems, just not had time to get them fixed...

The one I didn't spot, was a fail for the spare wheel not being secured. Looking at the owners manual, there only seems to be a wheel retaining bolt on the 4x4s. Does anyone have a spare wheel retaining gizmo on a FWD Panda? I can't see where a bolt would even go at the moment.

Also there's a rust hole in the sill just ahead of the o/s rear, and a rusty bubble around the rear seatbelt mount on the wheel arch. Does anyone know a Panda friendly welder between Brighton and Portsmouth? (my daily commute!)

Cheers
John

 

[allen fletcher]

Only 4x4's have a spare wheel plastic nut retainer the MOTman was wrong to fail the car for not having one. Fiat never fit them to standard front wheel drive Panda's. Sorry can not help you with welding issue

 

[aquamarine]

John, there is a Fiat 850 specialist (Rory Cole) in St Leonard's on Sea. Is that close to you? Not a Panda specialist but may be worth contacting for a price/referral on? David

 

[John P]

Only 4x4's have a spare wheel plastic nut retainer the MOTman was wrong to fail the car for not having one. Fiat never fit them to standard front wheel drive Panda's. Sorry can not help you with welding issue

Thanks Allen, I guess I'll take the handbook in and see what they say.

Cheers
John

 

[Pandarus]

Only 4x4's have a spare wheel plastic nut retainer the MOTman was wrong to fail the car for not having one. Fiat never fit them to standard front wheel drive Panda's. Sorry can not help you with welding issue

At worst case maybe an advisory...I am sure nobody on here has failed an MOT on this?

 

[John P]

John, there is a Fiat 850 specialist (Rory Cole) in St Leonard's on Sea. Is that close to you? Not a Panda specialist but may be worth contacting for a price/referral on? David

Thanks for that, I'll give them a call. I doubt I'll go down there, as St Leonards is a bit of a pain to get to from where I am (just north of Worthing). It doesn't look far but the roads are winding, slow and covered in OAPs driving Kias..

Cheers
John

 

[panda1408]

Perhaps remind the tester that the bonnet secures the wheel when it is shut, and as said 2WDs never had a securing nut anyway, if he is really picky then a bungee cord should do the job.

 

[udtrev]

If you are near Worthing then you are near PDH in Findon Road, they should be able to help


Trev

 

[John P]

If you are near Worthing then you are near PDH in Findon Road, they should be able to help


Trev

Thanks Trev, I'm in Steyning, so Worthing is about 10 minutes down the road. Lots of OAPs in Kias there too...
I assumed that as PDH were a main dealer they wouldn't be wanting to bother with 20 year old cars, and I'd be looking for a specialist. I've never used them but I know there is also a place in Newhaven. Can't remember the name either...

Cheers
John

 

[nitro_warrior]

Spare wheels are only subject to an MOT inspection if they are fitted to the car. So if your spare has low tread don't put it in the car for the MOT, if it's not there it can't fail, and if it is it will fail for low tread. It's a daft rule but who are we to argue with the DVLA?!

Of course it's illegal to drive without a spare, and now the testers have failed it on the spare wheel I bet they will stick there heels in, though you could phone and ask. "What if the spare wheel wasn't there?"

 

[lightweightmick]

John tell your tester to drop the bonnet - as that's what secures the spare wheel!
Sounds like the welding could be worse - just make lots of enquiries and you'll get fixed up. Many places just can't be bothered.
When you get it tested get some waxoyl into those sill sections!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Spare wheels are only subject to an MOT inspection if they are fitted to the car. So if your spare has low tread don't put it in the car for the MOT, if it's not there it can't fail, and if it is it will fail for low tread. It's a daft rule but who are we to argue with the DVLA?!

Of course it's illegal to drive without a spare, and now the testers have failed it on the spare wheel I bet they will stick there heels in, though you could phone and ask. "What if the spare wheel wasn't there?"

Its not a silly rule as if it's bald and you get a flat you'll most probably use it

And it's not illegal not to have a spare. My daily runner doesn't and hasn't for nearly 2 years now.

 

[lightweightmick]

I don't think spares have been testable for a good few years now, unless that's been reintroduced. It can't actually be tested as it's not actually fitted to the vehicle... my understanding is that they brought the ruling in but had to drop it as it had no legal basis..?
I can check it out though!

 

[nitro_warrior]

I would be interested to know what the current position is. As I understood, you are meant to have the means to repair a punctured wheel it the side of the road, ie a spare wheel, jack, and wrench (or run flats).

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I would be interested to know what the current position is. As I understood, you are meant to have the means to repair a punctured wheel it the side of the road, ie a spare wheel, jack, and wrench (or run flats).

In some EU countrys yes, but not the UK

I've checked it out, that gunk stuff is no use for blow outs, and when you've no-where to fit a spare there isn't alot you can do. I do carry a compressor for slowish puntures should I get one though. Failing that its RAC who have said they're treat me as a none roadside repairable fault and recover me to where ever.

 

[John P]

In some EU countrys yes, but not the UK

I've checked it out, that gunk stuff is no use for blow outs, and when you've no-where to fit a spare there isn't alot you can do. I do carry a compressor for slowish puntures should I get one though. Failing that its RAC who have said they're treat me as a none roadside repairable fault and recover me to where ever.

Going to give the garage a call and see what they say. Removing the wheel would make quite a good plan B though.
Thanks for the tips, and I'll report back towards the end of next week when I get a retest. </p>
Cheers
John

 

[alexbpl]

Have you got your welding sorted?

I'm in blackpool if thats any help

 

[John P]

Have you got your welding sorted?

I'm in blackpool if thats any help

Thanks for the offer, but I'm on the south coast... Only 300 miles Getting a quote from a couple of local places today, so I'll see how bad things get from there.

Edited to add - quote came through - £50, which I can definately live with...

Project for the winter: learn to weld!

Cheers
John

 

[alexbpl]

£50 is a bargain, usually places love a welding job, the punters are too scared / unknowing to do it themselves and they can charge a fortune.

Its very easy, you can get a half decent setup for under £100. I use the gasless wire, its extremley good in all applications and last ages as you dont have to faff with gas.

 

[John P]

Re: MoT Failure - Not any more!

And it passed! I found a place called MOT Welding in Worthing a little one man place, and he did a good job. Nice bloke as well, which always helps

Spoke to the tester and explained to him how the wheel was held by the bonnet and the screen wash tank - "oh, okay"

Thanks for everyone's help, and it's another year of Panda-ing for me!

Cheers
John