Just had the honor of failing my MOT today. not too bothered as its a banger i take to work cost me £50 (I have had it for a year). I was planning on getting a car in summer anyways. Question now is do i spend money fixing it or just get the new car now.

Failed on emissions and rusted brake lines. I can change all the lines myself but dont have that must free time before the retest. Also don't know what to do about the emissions. Am thinking i should use the cost to repair on the new car ( you know every little helps).Main issue was on % of hydrocarbon and Lamda

So what would you do?

what car is it ??

mk1 ford focus

I'm no expert on emissions stuff - but it could be a lamda sensor

can you get a fault code reading of it ?



I just spent £60 at the scrapyard to keep my one on the road
(at least it could be a donor car for a new MEV )

[Edited on 1/2/2011 by mcerd1]

have you pluged it in to see if there are any fault codes ? Petrol or diesel. Zetec ?

and why cant I find a focus for £50

There are a few bits that you could check. Egr valve, lambda sensor, Egpd , Maf and even just an oil change.

loads of inf on them bits here

and if you havnt got the time and the rest is ok I know where you can make your fifty back lol

lol warren you saw the state of it last time I was over. with regards to the £50. was a special deal owner needed to get rid.

I know I would have a look tomorrow afterwork. I was planning on doing all that really but dont have a OBD reader. might have to get one ordered

[Edited on 1/2/11 by femster87]

[Edited on 1/2/11 by femster87]

on the other hand if you do end up scraping it, give me a shout there are a couple off odds and sods I still need for mine (more so if its an 1.8 petrol)


anyway I'm off out to change another wheel bearing on mine now - they really are a total PITA

[Edited on 1/2/2011 by mcerd1]

It really needs the codes read and the live data looked at but misfire or a lambda sensor ( or its' wiring) would be most likely.

If they are ok then coolant temperature sensor would be my prime suspect list also check the inlet manifold is not leaking.

You can test the lambda sensor by looking at the voltage output, testing on the car if the car is warmed and running closed loop the lambda output should jump up and down between about 0.2 and 0.8 volts at least twice per second. You can test off car by measuring the output voltage when the sensor is heated up with a blow lamp and the flame is moved to put the the tip of the sensor in different parts of the flame, the key thing you are looking for is how quickly the output voltage changes when the flame is moved.

Thanks guys would have a look