[Phil №❶]

Can someone tell me what a mot is, does & entails. It appears to come due every year. And like DPF, we don't have not in Oz, I presume it costs something and who performs the test. How comprehensive is it. Just curious chaps & lasses 

[immx]

The MOT is basicly a test of if a vehicle is roadworthy or not. The first one is due when the car hits 3 years old and then every year after that.

Here's a link for the details.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_4022109

[Phil №❶]

So how do they test ABS & ESC in a garage situation, Take your car out and treat it harshly  And charge you for the privelege. 

[immx]

There's no road test involved, it's all done on rollers. I'm not sure about the ESC, the probably just check the light isn't on!

[Phil №❶]

I could live with that, thanks again 

[Dazzler]

Good idea to ask that Phil..

Can see why they do it but glad we don't have that added expense down here 

[Phil №❶]

 

I guess with snow conditions and the chemicals used on the roads, rust could lead to dangerous situations. I'm glad we don't do THAT over here too.

[immx]

The highest percentage of fails are due to lighting, normally bulbs blown, 19% of all fails are for this.
12% of fails are for suspension faults, 11% of fails are for tyres, 8% of fails are for tyres, 8% are for the windscreen, 6% due to the exhaust, 1% for licence plate faults.

[Shambles]

^--- no mention of rust on the sills? They're the only two MOT fails I've ever suffered.

...11% of fails are for tyres, 8% of fails are for tyres...

The figure's coming down gradually, even as you were typing it

[immx]

  It was meant to be 11% for brakes, 8% for tyres! Doh 

I too was surprised that there was no mention of corrosion! 

[Surferdude]

Sounds something like the annual roadworthy inspection done in NSW after the car's third birthday.

Pinkslips Facts:

    Cost $23
    Available at most garages
    Test things like tyres, rust, steering, brakes, etc
    The only time you must have a pinkslip is if your NSW car needs registering
    In NSW the RTA will not register your car for another year unless it has a pinkslip.

A car can pass the pinkslip brake test but still need new brake linings a week later. Basically do not put too much faith in a pinkslip, the safest way of satisfying your mechanical questions is a PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION.



I got this information off a commercial web site. I honestly thought the cost was closer to $30. Maybe someone in NSW can enlighten us.

The comment on brakes is why I wanted to quote this.

They measure the braking effect with a (Bowmonk?) meter. This should be done on a road test. In fact, the machine can be "fiddled" to give a reading in the operator's hand, standing in his workshop. I've seen it done.

This note from the Bowmonk website suggests that such tests are also carried out in the UK. Can someone from there elaborate, given immx's comment about using rollers above. Does every authorised test centre have a set of rollers (a dyno? or something simpler?).


(BOWMONK BRAKEMETER)

In the UK, Bowmonk brake test meters are approved by the MOT and DOT departments for use in the annual vehicle-testing scheme. Wherever brake testing is mandatory by law the Bowmonk Brakemeter/Dynometer is an approved brake test instrument.



In Qld, you only need such an inspection if you are selling the car. In fact up here now, if you are selling the car you have to get the certificate BEFORE you advertise it  or it's an offence. And a lot more than NSW dollar wise, too. You also obviously need an inspection if you are registering a car in Qld from interstate.

[eye30]

In UK they DO NOT test the brakes by driving down a road then applying the brakes.

It is done in the garage on rollers which I presume rotate the car's wheels at/to a certain speed. 
The tester then applies the foot and hand brakes and the resistence is measured.

ps
Cost for a car is £54.85 but a lot of testing stations will discount this fee.

eg my local garage charge £30.00

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_4022514

[Surferdude]

I'm sure it's been mentioned on here before, but what does it cost?

[eye30]

I'm sure it's been mentioned on here before, but what does it cost?

See reply #11 above.

Must have press send just before you 

[asathorny]

When the Ministry of Transport Test (MOT) came into being it was because the roads where filled with death traps.  Cars literally held together with bit of string and wire.  Floor pans rusted away to nothing.  Pre-stretch cable brakes which left you praying that the guy in front didn't have those posh hydraulic things, because if he did there was more than a good chance you'd rear end him.  I recall my first car had almost no floor pan at all..   Eeeehhh, it wer grand when I wer a lad.

Since then things have moved on apace, excellent rust prevention, high quality disks and calipers, lights that work, windscreen wipers that you don't have to reach out and move by hand  <sigh>  all the fun's gone out of motering now.

Anyhow, the MOT test were needed in the beginning, not so much now tho...    There was some talk of extending it to bi-annual checks although I haven't heard much about it recently.   Oh and like all other thing, there were ways around the MOT  !!!!   NUF said, wink wink.

I believe it is more difficult to dodge it now cos it has to be done on a computer, linked to a server.

[asathorny]

Since your clearly reading this thread as we speak I will tell you that I am working in Birkenhead this afti....  Heswall..    I start at 2 so I imagine I will be done for 3:30...   I will PM my mobile number to you NOW   

[eye30]

Cars literally held together with bit of string and wire.  Floor pans rusted away to nothing. 

Been in many a car when I was a youngster.

One I recall was on the way back from playing football on a Saturday afternoon.
The kit was dumped in the boot but when we got back to our home ground and opened the boot the kit wasn't there.
Luckily another car was following us and when they arrived they "presented" our driver with the kit. 

His boot was like a collander but guess what,  he never had trouble with water in his boot......

[Shambles]

I recall my first car had almost no floor pan at all..

Found a piccie of your floorless first car Asa 

(click to show/hide)

[succulant]

Good idea to ask that Phil..

Can see why they do it but glad we don't have that added expense down here 

The equivalent of the MOT in New Zealand has to be done every 6 month, or at least it did when I lived there. The Government run all the test centers though and don't do any repairs so there is no chance of the old screwdriver through the CV Boot trick that used to happen a lot here.

[Dazzler]

Every 6 months...

We have been having trouble with the deluxe remote garage door opener we had installed 3 years ago when we built our house. They are now saying although it came with a 5 year warranty they recommend an annual door service at A$80 to $100  (Money for jam .. a bit like this compulsory checkup)

[Keith]

I said in another Thread that my i30 had passed its MoT with no advisories.
My chosen MoT station is just that, not a garage as such and so no interest in failing a car for work to come their way.
They charge £30 for a private car, and there is camera viewing for the car owners to watch.
The tester who does my car is the same guy every year, he is most thorough, the test takes 45 minutes and he goes over stuff twice! Bar levering where needed... tapping where needed... feeling around under the bodywork... testing & double checking everything is good on the day... I feel that at least my car is safe that day... its really up to owners to keep them that way.
In the past I have seen real dodgy MoT's... and I personally wouldnt want a dodgy MoT... too much at risk... I think we should stay with annual MoT's as not everyone can do their own checks and the annual MoT forces a good looking at... I think it help skeep us all safe... but we dont check the nut in front of the steering wheel... do we... 

[Dazzler]

but we dont check the nut in front of the steering wheel... do we... 

I worry about all the "pot" heads on our roads 

[Alasama]

Now I learned what MOT is. 

Seems similar to our vehicle inspection:
New to 4 years old - not required.
5 to 9 years old - annual inspection.
10 years old and over - every 6 month.

It can be done at authorized garages or governmental motor vehicles offices.

[baroudeur]

In UK they DO NOT test the brakes by driving down a road then applying the brakes.

There is always the exception.. If fitted with a limited slip diff a road test is required for braking efficiency using a decelerometer (Tapley meter).  Having had three cars with LSD I always made sure the tester was aware.

The full MoT manual is here http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/bl/mottestingmanualsandguides/mottestingmanualsandguides.htm

[immx]

In UK they DO NOT test the brakes by driving down a road then applying the brakes.

There is always the exception.. If fitted with a limited slip diff a road test is required for braking efficiency using a decelerometer (Tapley meter).  Having had three cars with LSD I always made sure the tester was aware.

The full MoT manual is here http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/bl/mottestingmanualsandguides/mottestingmanualsandguides.htm

  I wasn't aware of this, just sold a car we had for six years that had an LSD, that was always tested on the rollers! Eek!

[Lakes]

So how do they test ABS & ESC in a garage situation, Take your car out and treat it harshly  And charge you for the privelege. 

Don't you have road worthy checks after a car reachs three years old in SA? we have that here in NSW, trucks have it every year from new, its a good thing i think.

[Dazzler]

So how do they test ABS & ESC in a garage situation, Take your car out and treat it harshly  And charge you for the privelege. 

Don't you have road worthy checks after a car reachs three years old in SA? we have that here in NSW, trucks have it every year from new, its a good thing i think.

Nothing like that in Tassie.. Only has to go "over the pits" if rego lapses (so if has to be re-registered)

[Phil №❶]

So how do they test ABS & ESC in a garage situation, Take your car out and treat it harshly  And charge you for the privelege. 

Don't you have road worthy checks after a car reachs three years old in SA? we have that here in NSW, trucks have it every year from new, its a good thing i think.

Nope, same as Tassie, if the previous rego was interstate, they check engin no, vin etc, then off you go, for the life of the car. 

This has been an interesting discussion and I'm glad I asked. Personally, I think a test at fixed odo readings is the way to go. The more the car is used, the more frequently it gets tested.

[Keith]

Shocked! 
I cant conceive that there would be no obligatory Safety checks.
I understand the "Outback" dwellers might not be able to be covered by that legislation, but Tasmania is just an island off mainland Oz!

I know... you guys are all wizards with spanners so you dont need any other Cobber to check ya car royt?

And here we are anxious that we might be changing to MoT's every 2 years... 

[Phil №❶]

Laughing!