Now for the serious stuff

safrane

Member
Messages
16,746
back to MOTs.

I posted that I had a miles/kilometers issue on one of my fleets MOT history which I hope to resolve... Anyhow my previous PA has recently landed a job with the department who run MOTs, so I have asked her to find out for me if changes can be made.
 

RichardSEL

Junior Member
Messages
130
It’s the same for the autos EPB and DS old fashioned normal one?

I always drive off with the EPB on. It switches off according to what the ECU's telling it to do. My QP5's got the ZF gearbox.
I dunno about the earlier DuoSelect or Cambiocorsa.
Do you have to switch those EPBs off before driving off?
 

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
I always drive off with the EPB on. It switches off according to what the ECU's telling it to do. My QP5's got the ZF gearbox.
I dunno about the earlier DuoSelect or Cambiocorsa.
Do you have to switch those EPBs off before driving off?
No, they are the old traditional cable and shoes I think...
 

RichardSEL

Junior Member
Messages
130
Following just received from CSC Complaints (the DVSA's MOT appeals' gateway)

"Thank you for your email dated 22 January 2021, concerning an MOT complaint.
Many thanks for the information you have provided.
Your concerns have been forwarded to the appropriate Regional Intelligence Unit for your area for further investigation.
Robert"

Now to see whether trading standards are up for it ;-)
 

RichardSEL

Junior Member
Messages
130
Not sure about Trading Standards. But at least DVSA has their file reference.
This came in yesterday from DVSA so there may be some action locally:

"The additional information which you have provided has been passed to the relevant DVSA intelligence team to aid in their investigations...

"It may take some time before DVSA are able to provide a response. This may be due to an ongoing investigation or awaiting a decision on whether a case is taken to Public Inquiry or to court."

Dunno what this "public enquiry" is all about. But inclusion of that and "to court" does
give hope that DVSA is not just enforcing as a paper-shuffling exercise.

In my youth I've driven what I shouldn't have driven. But the MOT system wasn't around then... Must be getting old... (er)
 

RichardSEL

Junior Member
Messages
130
Greater London Authority ban 4.2L cars from entering their beloved diesel-polluted congestion charge zone.
(my Maz QP5 '08MY meets uLez as currently laid out -- Euro 4 minimum)

Just heard back from Shaun Bailey, one of the prospective candidates for mayor of London in the forthcoming May elections. There are other candidates standing.
Those living within the south and north circulars will know that come October 25th TfL threaten to increase the uLEZ zone to there. That's in addition to the existing Congestion Charge.
"Thank you very much for your email. I am always keen to discuss issues with Londoners and hear their views on how to improve our city.
When it comes to Sadiq Khan’s war against motorists, I am completely opposed to it.
"Firstly, Sadiq Khan's Outer London Tax, which will charge motorists £5.50 to enter Greater London, will impact London’s recovery from coronavirus. It sends the message that London is closed for business and it will hurt individuals who travel a few miles to work, to visit friends or just to do their shopping.
"As for the ULEZ, I’m fully opposed to expanding it — and I will reverse any expansion on day one as Mayor. At a time when people are struggling to make ends meet, we shouldn’t raise the cost of living. Instead, I’ll introduce a fleet of zero-emission buses — so we clean up our air without taxing Londoners more.
"I am also opposed to Sadiq’s congestion charge increase. In the middle of a pandemic, we should support those who will power London’s recovery — not punish them with higher taxes.
"So as Mayor, I’ll reverse Sadiq Khan’s congestion charge hike, stop the expansion of the ULEZ and scrap his Outer London Tax. This will cut the cost of living and help to kickstart London’s recovery."

You heard it here first folks!
 
Last edited:

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
As commendable as his comments are, politicians will say anything to make citizens feel things will change and for them to gain power.

It’s an old trick and I’m yet to be convinced with the exception of Thatcher (wrongly or rightly I might add)
 

RichardSEL

Junior Member
Messages
130
My QP5 '08MY currently meets uLEZ (Euro 4) with its 4.2L
Both my others meet uLEZ according to their LPG conversion tests and last MOT emissions' tests. But because their V5s don't show "Euro4" or later they're deemed dirty polluters and are subject to uLEZ charge of £12.50 if driven in the zone.
Together with the "Congestion charge", that totals a daily "fine" of £27.50 if you take your non-V5-Euro4-listed car into the zone.
The rich don't care of course, it's nothing to them...
And the "fines" are tax deductable as a legitimate business expense
 
Last edited:

Wack61

Member
Messages
8,764
The rich don't care of course, it's nothing to them...
And the "fines" are tax deductable as a legitimate business expense
And there in lies the problem, if it's all about the environment and clean air you wouldn't be allowed to drive the most polluting cars in at all.

Are the black cabs still exempt ?

My argument with Birmingham is the M6 is elevated so the pollution from all that stop start traffic every morning and evening must travel much further but they have the ability to stop it almost overnight if it's about cleaner air , nationalise the M6 toll and make it free

Most of the traffic on the M6 is passing through so, problem solved , but its not about clean air or pollution, it's about money
 

doodlebug

Member
Messages
913
As an ex tester you hope the individual will get them done before the next test where they might become a fail.
Sadly many do not.
I had an advisory on my rear discs on the 4200 about 6 years and 45k miles ago when it was tested at a well respected MOT station in Cambridge. I took it to Lancaster's in Colchester for it's annual service shortly after that and they said that the discs were about 15% worn.

In 2019, Lancaster had the car in to replace a faulty ABS pump and to have the MOT done. I mentioned the advisory on the rear discs from 2014 and they said the discs were still fine.

I think a lot of MOT stations try it on to get the business, or they just don't know or bother to find out what the tolerance on parts like discs are without tagging them as advisories.
 

doodlebug

Member
Messages
913
Yes it has one, so no, it shouldn’t go on the rollers.
What is the outcome for putting a car with a LSD on rollers? I only ask because the first transaxle on mine became unbearably noisy when turning corners slowly. Rob at Grimaldi's said it was damage to the LSD plates and hadn't seen anything like it before. I managed to source a replacement transaxle off a low mileage car but I'm wondering if the MOT test on rollers caused the failure.
 

Wack61

Member
Messages
8,764
I had an advisory on my rear discs on the 4200 about 6 years and 45k miles ago when it was tested at a well respected MOT station in Cambridge. I took it to Lancaster's in Colchester for it's annual service shortly after that and they said that the discs were about 15% worn.

In 2019, Lancaster had the car in to replace a faulty ABS pump and to have the MOT done. I mentioned the advisory on the rear discs from 2014 and they said the discs were still fine.

I think a lot of MOT stations try it on to get the business, or they just don't know or bother to find out what the tolerance on parts like discs are without tagging them as advisories.


I had similar on an iveco van , red brake warning light came on, it was still under warranty so took it in

needs discs and pads on the back, we can do it today, £700

no thanks, nothing wrong with the discs , new pads, £70 , the discs lasted another 80,000 miles before they wanted changing

These however may be due
 
Last edited:

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
I had an advisory on my rear discs on the 4200 about 6 years and 45k miles ago when it was tested at a well respected MOT station in Cambridge. I took it to Lancaster's in Colchester for it's annual service shortly after that and they said that the discs were about 15% worn.

In 2019, Lancaster had the car in to replace a faulty ABS pump and to have the MOT done. I mentioned the advisory on the rear discs from 2014 and they said the discs were still fine.

I think a lot of MOT stations try it on to get the business, or they just don't know or bother to find out what the tolerance on parts like discs are without tagging them as advisories.
As an ex MOT tester I can say I have never done that hand on heart.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
What is the outcome for putting a car with a LSD on rollers? I only ask because the first transaxle on mine became unbearably noisy when turning corners slowly. Rob at Grimaldi's said it was damage to the LSD plates and hadn't seen anything like it before. I managed to source a replacement transaxle off a low mileage car but I'm wondering if the MOT test on rollers caused the failure.

The limitation of the slip is achieved by a clutch pack on each output from the diff. The effect of using the brake rollers is that it forces the diff to slip and damages the friction plates in the clutch pack. It could be that this damaged your diff.