MOT: close but no cigar
BenB - 21/6/10 at 04:07 PM
Just got back from my first MOT in the Locost.
Fail 
Still, wasn't all bad! Had a nice little rag their and back to remind me just how fun these cars are 
They weren't sure what to do re emissions as the nice people at the DVLA had confused things by putting an emissions statement on my V5. I took
along a copy of the MOT testing handbook where it quite clearly states a Q should be visable smoke. In the end we agreed we'd bung it on the
machine and then decide what to do if it failed. And it passed Yey.
Except I had no brake lights. At all. A quick bridge of the hydraulic brake switch shows the switch is shagged.
So as soon as its replacement arrives I'm ready to rock for North Wield (after the obligatory blat to the test station to show my new fully
functioning brakes. Annoyingly I checked all the other lights but couldn't easily check my brake lights with me sat in the car Oh well....
As an aside I think I might have found out why my diff appeared to be drinking oil. I went to top it up and it drank 3/4L whereas I'm sure
I'd put in about the same amount when I first got it. It appears that's the problem. Apparantly the Sierra diff has an oil capacity of 1.5L
and the dribble out the hole that I'd seen after the first 0.75L was (it appears) not a sign that it was full. Oh well you live and learn....
mcerd1 - 21/6/10 at 06:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by BenB
Annoyingly I checked all the other lights but couldn't easily check my brake lights with me sat in the car Oh well....
you need to invest in a special tool to check your brake lights on your own - its a big weight that you stick on the pedal while you run round the
back 
BenB - 21/6/10 at 07:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
quote:
Originally posted by BenB
Annoyingly I checked all the other lights but couldn't easily check my brake lights with me sat in the car Oh well....
you need to invest in a special tool to check your brake lights on your own - its a big weight that you stick on the pedal while you run round the
back
Annoyingly I forgot the trick I did last time of just using a long bit of wood (of which I have shed loads in the garage) to push down the brake pedal
whilst standing behind the car. Oh well, it means I can go for another drive on Thursday with a valid excuse for not doing some DIY
flak monkey - 21/6/10 at 07:12 PM
MOT emissions on Q plates are a nightmare. I asked 2 local garages and they both gave different answers.
There was a update issued a while ago that says they should now be tested to the oldest of either the car or engine. But it seems to be applied a
little hit and miss.
I should be taking mine for an MOT this week. Will see how it goes!
omega 24 v6 - 21/6/10 at 07:46 PM
My Q plate has emissions required values on the V5
alister667 - 21/6/10 at 08:22 PM
Mine V5 USED to have emissions limits on it, I moved recently and the new V5 doesn't have limits on it.
As stated above. Nightmare.
Still, you can always try moving house!
BenB - 21/6/10 at 09:18 PM
quote:
Originally posted by alister667
Mine V5 USED to have emissions limits on it, I moved recently and the new V5 doesn't have limits on it.
As stated above. Nightmare.
Still, you can always try moving house!
Well it just so happens I'm about to send off my V5. Here's hoping
flak monkey - 22/6/10 at 10:09 PM
Found what I was looking for:
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s07000306.htm
Box in bottom right corner