[marabak]

Hey

I've had my car coming up to a year now, and the dreaded MOT/Service is coming up (along with Insurance - expensive month). I've only been driving a year now, with my 2008 i30 SE being my first and only car, and I've got a few questions that I hope some people might have an opinion on.

A few confounding factors...

Over the past year, I've kept an eye on things like coolant, oil etc. but I appreciate I am definitely not an expert and I want to have the service done at some point soon.

I had a puncture a month or two ago, which I swapped over for the spare (which was still brand new with markers on the wheel etc.). When I took the punctured tyre to a part-worn tyres place to replace it as my spare, they commented that the tyre was almost bald, whereas in my opinion there is still at least 1mm or so on each of my remaining tyres (excluding the brand new one) before the markers within the tread are flush with the surface of the tyre. However, I know I need new tyres in the foreseeable future, especially as my previous MOT from before I bought the car had an advisory regarding a crack in one of the tyres which is still on the car.

I've noticed a small rumbling/knocking noise which sounds like it is coming from the front drivers side wheel, noticeably around the 30-50mph speeds. A quick google suggests to me that it might be an unbalanced wheel or something (it's not the one I replaced and has only appeared within the last week or so), and it's not an obvious fault like a stone in the tread or something that I can see.

My air conditioning has never really worked within the car, effectively just moving lukewarm air around the car which feels slightly damp. I'm not an expert in this, but I'm guessing it will either need refilling or possibly looking at in more depth by a mechanic.

My handbrake feels like it is starting to get to the end of its travel before it actually secures the car, with it occasionally rolling back when I have put it on not quite to the very very maximum. I think this needs tightening up before something more serious happens.

Mechanically, my car seems pretty sound to my untrained driving experience.

Looking at my local Hyundai dealer, they are quoting £39 MOT, £200 servicing and £50 air conditioner refill. I'm not anticipating any parts. This is probably the limit of what I can afford this month, with tyres maybe the following month.

My main question is, will any of the above factors fail the MOT (the main thing at the moment)? Am I better off getting the servicing done this month and tyres next, or vice versa? Will getting the handbrake fixed add a huge amount to the price if they are already servicing it etc. as well?

Thank you

[AlanHo]

You are probably aware that the legal minimum tread depth on tyres - for the whole width and circumference, is 1.6 mm - but  I would never drive a car with less than 3 mm tread - especially through the winter.

I do not consider it wise to drive with a cracked tyre 12 months after it was reported. Any problem with a tyre is not safe and the insurers could refuse to meet a claim for any accident whether minor or major..

The rumbling from a wheel could be a mechanical problem such as a wheel bearing, the wheel nuts not on tight, a drive shaft joint - or it could be a tyre problem. If the tread of a tyre has started to delaminate from the carcass this will not necessarily be obvious from a visual inspection but can cause vibration and a loud rumbling noise. I speak from bitter experience.

You must get the tyres all checked and replaced as necessary before the MOT.

The A.C problem will not effect the MOT - that's up to you.  However it would be wise to get a leak and system check carried out before you spend money on a gas refill.

The hand brake problem also needs attention before the MOT - otherwise the car will fail. If you are having the car serviced by a dealer and they are also doing the MOT at the same time, this will be corrected.

[Shambles]

... there is still at least 1mm or so on each of my remaining tyres ...

As Alan implied - instant MOT fail. Get these replaced, even if you have to beg, steal or borrow ( I'd do all three )

[asathorny]

It might be wise to mention that EACH one of the tyres that is illegal would get you three points on your license so it there all threadare you could kiss your license goodbye for a year or two..   

So as the others say, get them ALL checked out ASAP   

[marabak]

Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear. There is at least 1mm on each tyre BEFORE the marker, which I understand is to mark the 1.6mm point, implying around 2.6mm in total. Obviously the cracked tyre is a problem, but in the meantime I could swap that for the new spare.

The MOT is due next week, so I'll get it booked in for the handbrake at the same time. The tyres I am looking at a Kwik Fit near me, so I'll get them sorted beforehand also (but not at the dealer)

Is the general consensus that it is preferable to get the tyres sorted first and then maybe look at servicing the car next month (which will actually be at 13 months since the last one)?


EDIT: I've just popped out and done the "20p" test. Obviously my "new" tyre which replaced the puncture is fine, my front two are also pretty close to the 3mm mark, but still over. However, my other rear tyre is failing it miserably. Luckily I get paid tomorrow, so a trip to Kwik Fit will be on the cards. Maybe I should pay more attention to the tread :/

[eye30]

What period is left on the mot i.e. expiry date?

If me i would ask the dealer to mot/service at same time but sooner rather than later and not right on the expiry date of the mot.

Note - mot can be done within 1 month of expiry and the pass mot will be date from expiry date not date of mot.

They usually do the mot first. Or ask them to do it first!

if it should fail then get them to phone you before they start the service to tell you what requires attention.

This way you can prioritise your cash resources.

If it is something simple they can rectify during service, i,e. Handbrake, then this is within your budget.

If it needs tyres you can opt for them and put the service on hold.

Just an idea to mull over

[eye30]

The MOT is due next week, so I'll get it booked in for the handbrake at the same time. The tyres I am looking at a Kwik Fit near me, so I'll get them sorted beforehand also (but not at the dealer)

Get mot done and see what they say.

Get price from kwik fit, personally i wont use them but that is another story, and if tyre or tyres required dealer may be willing to match price as doing service.

If not go to the other as you have, i think 7 days to represent a no additional cost.

[marabak]

Thank you eye30.

Looks like I need the tyres desperately (or at least two - to replace the cracked one and the bare one). Luckily I get paid tomorrow, so I'll try and book in (the alternative to Kwik Fit is Costco, or a very short term solution of the part-worn place again, although I think I need the tracking etc. looking at as well)

[ibrokeit]

Thank you eye30.

Looks like I need the tyres desperately (or at least two - to replace the cracked one and the bare one). Luckily I get paid tomorrow, so I'll try and book in (the alternative to Kwik Fit is Costco, or a very short term solution of the part-worn place again, although I think I need the tracking etc. looking at as well)

Being a front wheel drive I would suggest you ask the tyre place, or ask their advice, about fitting the wheels with the two new tyres to the front and putting the older ones on the rear.   So the 'pulling' tyres are equal and have most tread (assuming new tyres).   Having said that others may disagree with this idea.

The tracking would probably be a good idea - esp. if the bare one and/or the others are showing signs of uneven wear.   But if you intend to replace the other tyres (other than the two you need to for MoT) in the nearish future (and if uneven wearing isn't too bad) then you may wish to wait until then - unless the MoT tests the tracking as well.

As has already been stated - your hand-brake definitely needs adjustment... after mine got adjusted it was back to about 3 clicks and it is on (maybe a 4th for tight on).   The trouble with handbrake adjustment is, because the cable is under tension when it is on, the cable will stretch again (over time) and at some-point there won't be anymore adjustment available.  At which point the cable needs to be replaced (or shortened) so the adjustment can be reset.