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MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #

Posted by Peter Warman on September 4, 2013, 2:57 pm

Today was an eye opener for me and I was quite shocked as this vehicle belongs to a family member

It goes to show that our annual MOT can save lives and must never go to every 2 years

This is a clean 2000 Astra done 90,000 miles and serviced every year, we checked it over before it went this morning

Had a call from the MOT test centre to say that there was a problem, they had checked it all over, including inspection of brake hoses and no signs of deterioration

Up on the ramp pressure was applied to the brake pedal (probably more than under normal breaking) so the tester could look for leaks and suddenly a front brake hose let go spraying brake fluid everywhere

On close inspection of the pipe it is not clear what has happened, no visible signs when inspected. I suspect the metal union has rusted away and then become separated from the hose. The MOT guys said this has never happened before, but I am glad it happened on their watch

This fault would not have been picked up on a routine service, but due to our MOT test it has probably saved the life of a family member (or the public) as it would have certainly failed in an emergency stop situation with maximum pedal pressure

It also begs the question, do brake hoses have a shelf life?, should they be changed at say 5 / 8 / 10 year intervals irrespective of condition

Peter

PS:

Will certainly be applying max brake pressure for at least 30 seconds on all future services and pre MOT checks

Re: MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #

Posted by Lee Mackintosh on September 4, 2013, 8:41 pm, in reply to "MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #"
Lee Mackintosh

Peter,

I agree MOT's should remain yearly as some cars we've had in are in such a poor state that they'd be dangerous if they went over to a 2 year test.

Tyres are one item that constantly seem to be forgotten about as I often see tyres worn through to the cords and customer wasn't even aware that they were risking there own safefy lef alone ofhers.

For some the annual MOT is about all there car has and they don't bother with a service until something goee wrong.

Re: MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #

Posted by Dave Hill on September 4, 2013, 10:47 pm, in reply to "Re: MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #"
Dave Hill

Take a look at this front flexi hose & give your opinion about its serviceability.....

The void between "good practice" & the MOT standard is massive. This is bad enough in itself, before you even introduce the element of ill informed or even worse... unscrupulous testing.

At the end of the day, the politicians will decide what is best for us & we will ultimately end up following European trends.

Re: MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #

Posted by Tony Bickers on September 7, 2013, 12:42 pm, in reply to "Re: MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #"
Tony Bickers

Regarding Peter's Astra, seen that before, that protective cover holds road salts etc, in addition the part you can see normally "looks" ok, it is the part you cannot see that corrodes.

Another one I had was on a MK2 Mondeo with the rear brake pressure reducing valves that connect into the rear flexies blow apart on test.

I hope Dave's is not a trick question

, from a testers manual? I am not a tester but would replace that and show the customer why bearing in mind its going to be on the road another year

Re: MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #

Posted by Dave Hill on September 7, 2013, 9:11 pm, in reply to "Re: MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #"

Hi Tony

Not a trick question no.

This brake hose was discussed a few years ago, when we were reprimanded by VOSA for failing it. It was fitted to a 1980 Bedford CF Ice Cream Van. Of course this is totally irrelevant, as we should not make any distinction between a vehicle that is likely to squash vulnerable children, versus any other type of vehicle.

To any right minded technician, it is bin fodder, but VOSA's stance was/is that it is still safe & as such, it falls into the "pass & advise" category.

I suppose the hose is not going to fail imminently, which after all is the minimum standard required to achieve an MOT Pass. So long as it is observed during the test & noted for the attention of the person presenting it, then the burden of responsibility is passed onto the presenter.

Still, it doesn't sit easy with a professional mechanic, to let something like that go.

Re: MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #

Posted by Ian Baxter on September 8, 2013, 11:49 am, in reply to "Re: MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #"
Ian Baxter

Hello Dave,
Over Here we have no independent M.O.T stations Just Government run ones,
But to me that Brake Hose is a no brainer ..... Bin It. Put it like this I wouldn't want that on my vehicles

Ian

Re: MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #

Posted by Peter Warman on September 9, 2013, 4:02 pm, in reply to "Re: MOT testing - A good reason to keep the annual test #"

Hi Dave

If I had a vehicle in for service with hoses like that, I would be very reluctant to send the customer on his way without changing and would not even think of sending it for an MOT unless changed

I may be old school but is anything happened it will always fall back to the dodgy mechanic who checked it over and let the car go out with split hoses (tared with not doing a proper inspection)

Peter

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