MOT questions

[craigr]

Hi all,

My Rex is due for it\'s first MOT at the end of the month.

Being Catless, I understand the best thing to do is to hit Thames Valley who "understand" RX7\'s....

My main question is around the wheel arch liners. The front liners appear to be worn away at the front edge, I guess from heavy spring compression under hard steering. Is this an MOT requirement (I seem to remember there should be no fouling of the wheels, although there is nothing to foul against now...).

Other than that I need to replace my foglight switch with one that works, but I should be good to go.

Any advice ? Do Thames Valley also "understand" that 18" alloys sometimes do interesting things to arch liners ?? Can I neatly cut away some remaining arch liner to make a neat edge and claim it\'s for airflow to the brakes ?? :cool

Help most appreciated.

ATB, Craig

[Andyp]

wouldn\'t think the wheel arch liner will make any difference to the MOT afaik

IMHO mate, when ya phone ol Dave up just ask him if he can get the bits n fit them for ya while ya down and if not get the bits (switch etc) yaself and same thing hehe

He\'s real nice and real helpful, just say that ya from MRC and tell him ya probs and he\'ll help ya out

[MikeLMR]

I got pulled up at the MOT and was made aware that the wheel on my car had touched the inner liner (it was a bit out before I had it tracked) but said it was fine as he couldn\'t make it foul while on the ramps.

but it wasn\'t a fail just a advisory note.

[davefrith]

The foglight is only a requirement for the SVA you\'ll find I think. I don\'t have one and mine passed the MOT

I don\'t think the wheel arche liner is either, as long as the wheels spins cleanly on the ramp it will be fine imo

[MikeLMR]

The fog light is part of the test BTW ... unless you have a very slack garage (naughty naughty) it will fail

[davefrith]

Mike

I always understood it to be only part of the SVA, its never needed one for the MOT ?

are you sure ? wheres Dave when you need him ?

[MikeLMR]

my Dad works for the VI ... I\'m very sure

[J4P RX]

Definatly needs a rear fog.

[leggysrx7]

..my car is due it\'s MOT at the end of August...my concern is the fact it runs rich and i\'m wondering how that will effect the emissions test....

...any ideas??

Marc

[iaint]

leggy - it will effect the emissions but pass or fail will depend on what year the car is and how rich it\'s running.  Almost all FDs run rich at idle.

Mine recently sailed through it\'s test but it\'s a \'92 on a j-plate so has the non-cat test.  You may need to find a \'friendly\' mot station or borrow an apexi and set it for \'good\' emissions (a search should throw up a post or 2 about this).

Iain

[leggysrx7]

...mines is a 1994 L plate, rebuilt engine(last year)...running with a straight thru pipe and de-cat...standard ECU though....

...all my work is normally done at the Garage in Wishaw, maybe one of the locals could shed some light for me...Bobster,Robbie..Donato...

All advice welcome.

Marc

[Brett]

Just to point something out to you guys (and I\'m not trying to rain on your parade) :-

1) Fog lamp is essential for an MOT.
2) If your car is pre July/August \'92 (eg on a J plate) then you can remove the CAT, however you must still have your emissions down to less than 2.5%(CO)
3) If this guy is handing out dodgy MOTs then you are running a big risk and so is he.  The authorities have the power to do roadside emissions tests, if you fail then your in big trouble as it invalidates your MOT which means your insurance wont be valid either!  If this guy is claiming to \'understand\' Rex\'s, whats to say he wont \'understand\' when a car comes through with a dodgy brake system, or a crack in the widscreen?

 Be carefull chaps, the police are starting to crack down on \'have no CAT but passed MOT\' or \'Put CAT on for MOT then take it off\'.
 Its better to spend the time getting your emissions down (and it CAN be done) than go around with a dodgy MOT.

 A dodgy MOT is just as bad as a fake.

>Stands back and waits for a flaming<

[davefrith]

No one at any point has said anyone is handing out dodgy/fake MOT\'s

I\'ll obviously have to put a fog light on for the next MOT, I didn\'t realise I needed one, Mike I stand corrected thankyou

I have never seen any police conducting road side emissions tests, I don\'t think its something they are partulary concerned about, they are too busy hiding behind hedges with speed guns

[Brett]

No seriously they do, I\'ve been got by \'em before. They pull you over for a \'saftey\' check and get two MOT certified mechanics to go over your car with a fine tooth comb.  Last time it happened was on the A24 just past broadbridge heath.  They were taking 4 cars at a time (at random) and getting you to stop in the layby. Drivers were taken to an open van thingy and asked to fill in a questionaire, any problems with the cars were then reported to the police and drivers were issued with a docket to give to an MOT station, MOT guy then stamps it once work has been carried out, you then take the form to your local nick.  Job done!

 As for your stand on wether or not its dodgy;
 

Being Catless, I understand the best thing to do is to hit Thames Valley who "understand" RX7\'s....

 You have to admit that that sounds dodgy!  And if he is letting cars pass that would normally fail on emissions then I was right, if he is making sure the emissions are down to the right levels then I stand correted.

[Brett]

I should add that 2 weeks after the road side thing some people were \'visited\' by some guys with a warrant and had their cars inspected again to ensure that the work requirred had been done.  

 I\'m sure it was in one of the national newspapers awhile back...