MOT Questions

[Matt]

My 156 has been immobile for 6 weeks now, didn't bother me too much but now the powers that be want me out and about on site for a few days this month so I need the car running. As the MOT is due in 3 weeks I thought I'd get that out the way also but I have some worries that I'd like resolved before forking out for multiple tests:

1. Are tinted rear lights a failure?
The third brake light isn't tinted but I need to know if I have to get over my mum's and get the old rears out.

2. I'm missing a headlight washer, is this a fail?

3. There's a very small bit of play in the front suspension, how much is allowed?

4. Due to poor balancing and tracking (now fixed) I've got worn inner edges on 2 tyres...right at the edge. It's ok if there's a certain percentage of legal tread isn't it?

5. The dreaded excessive smoke (it's a diesel lads) - I'm particularly worried due to the car sitting for a period of time, how is this measured?

Other than that I'm sure the car is tip top

 

[Wimmy]

My 156 has been immobile for 6 weeks now, didn't bother me too much but now the powers that be want me out and about on site for a few days this month so I need the car running. As the MOT is due in 3 weeks I thought I'd get that out the way also but I have some worries that I'd like resolved before forking out for multiple tests:

1. Are tinted rear lights a failure?
The third brake light isn't tinted but I need to know if I have to get over my mum's and get the old rears out.

I shouldn't think it matters. As long as the light is visible when pressed it should pass.

2. I'm missing a headlight washer, is this a fail?

As long as there are no protruding bits of metal where the original wiper was you should be fine.

3. There's a very small bit of play in the front suspension, how much is allowed?

Not sure.

4. Due to poor balancing and tracking (now fixed) I've got worn inner edges on 2 tyres...right at the edge. It's ok if there's a certain percentage of legal tread isn't it?

Have a look to see if it's wearing thin. In all honesty I would replace anyway as that rubber is the only thing to keep you safely on contact with the road. I would do it for personal safety rather than an MOT pass.

5. The dreaded excessive smoke (it's a diesel lads) - I'm particularly worried due to the car sitting for a period of time, how is this measured?

Tractors I'm sure Tommy will pop up with his '65mph in 3rd all the way to the MOT station to get rid of the crap

 

[Matt]

Cheers Wim,

Re. Tyres, they've only done 2000 miles(!), I don't think the tyre is dangerously thin but there is almost full depth tread over the rest of the tyres (which are now at the back). Last thing I need is a £300 bill for 2 18" tyres

Re. Smoke, car's getting towed to the garage because the slave cylinder shot it's load all over the street so no blasting all the soot out for me either

 

[Callum]

Tyres.
Must have 1.6mm tread depth over 75% of the tyre to pass an MOT

 

[Matt]

Sweet, it's less than an inch of wear on a 225 wide tyre

Might get out the ruler when I get home lol

 

[Buzz]

You need to get some forte diesel treatment into whatever fuel there is, and if its getting towed to the garage, you should get the cylinder and take the car away, and get a few miles done with the fuel additive in (say, 30 at higher than usual revs) before you take it back for its test, at max revs for the last stretch. Italian tune-up style basically.

Buzz
The champion of the Bravo 1.4
& now ex owner of a Bravo 1.8

 

[Anonymous]

SSHHHH Buzz, i have a few just like this in the yard im about to put up for sale looks like there's plenty Mugg's AHHRRMM i mean custamers

Just joking,what Buzz said,i wouldent bother with it.

Scotty

"Could a Mod please move this to the,want to buy an HGT thread,thats ware it was intended for,but i have had a few tonight,well thats my excuse HIC UP".

Cheers Scotty

 

[Matt]

@Buzz,

Tis too late for that, it got towed over to the Fiat/Alfa specialist in East Kilbride at 8 this morning. He might take it for a blast once the slave cylinder is in as he need to evaluate the clutch. I'm back to looking at fitting the Q2 LSD if it's change time.

 

[Buzz]

nice.....

Buzz
The champion of the Bravo 1.4
& now ex owner of a Bravo 1.8