More on MoT

Steve

Member
My 1975 P6 2200 SC Auto no-longer legally needs to have an MoT, test for which expired a few weeks ago. Whilst I can appreciate that a Test only reflects the state of the car on the day it was done, I was worried that this lack of a check could have some implications on my Insurance, so I contacted them to see if they wanted any check on the untested vehicle they were insuring, their reply was 'as long as the DVLA say the vehicle doesn't require testing, then we are happy'.
Due unusual circumstances had not used the car for long runs, but made a point of driving it every week. So wasn't expecting any problems . My usual Tester said that had it been an MoT would have failed on 4 counts - dodgy tyre (had splits so no argument here), bit of corrosion rear floor (not a big patch) oil leak from back of engine (been there 18 of the previous tests but now a fail) but most important the Rolling Road showed no reading at all for the offside rear handbrake or foot brake, so presumably caliper jammed? other 3 brakes were excellent. Glad I had the check done, but not understanding the logic behind the 40 year rule.
Anybody got an o/s rear caliper and disc they don't want ??
 
You can ask the garage to put the car in for an MOT test but not register it, that way it doesn't show up as a fail if the worst happens. Of course it passes then all well and good. My garage said that some insurance companies (don't know who) are starting to give discounts to those who continue to put their car through (and pass!) an MOT even when they don't need to which kind of makes sense. It'll also help if you have to sell it. Personally I regard it as a safety check (re those brakes!) and mine had one and passed it earlier this month.
 
I have just had my 1955 LR MoT done last week . Pass with no advisories or minor fails. Tester did say he could have put lots of advisories on oil leaks , but said its a 60 year old LR what do you expect! I understand Leaks are to be ignored unless they produce a pool 75mm in diameter in 5 minutes. On mine there was one drip about 6mm dia in 45 mins.
 
I am getting a 'roadworthiness' inspection done by the garage who used to do my MOTs. They give me an invoice with any recommendations noted on.

The rear brake issue noted above is one I've also had & I doubt that I'd have spotted it myself until things got bad!
 
Hi, You can tell if a rear brake is not working by one of two methods. Auto - with the brakes applied and putting it in and out of gear and watch carefully to see if the front of the car moves to one side or the other. Manual - same thing in gear and just easing the clutch up. It won't be much so some finesse or practice may be needed.

Colin
 
I have just had my 1955 LR MoT done last week . Pass with no advisories or minor fails. Tester did say he could have put lots of advisories on oil leaks , but said its a 60 year old LR what do you expect! I understand Leaks are to be ignored unless they produce a pool 75mm in diameter in 5 minutes. On mine there was one drip about 6mm dia in 45 mins.
As a Tester, I'd be more concerned if a Land Rover wasn't leaking.
What manner of sorcery would that be?o_O:D
 
see a few aware land rovers have own issues . son runs a defender and has a water leak. into cabin at front.absolute murder trying to trace entry point as it varies due to wind or rain direction . slowly checking everything out but looks as though its bulk head. issue and require majority dashboard to come out! typical .nothing every easy.
as. to MOT ( subject matter) I take my. rover p6 in every year regardless it now being not required. mainly for peace of mind . I wasn't aware for example last test rear handbrake was imbalanced pulling up more one side than other. Tester kindly adjusted. for me without being asked and no fee!! swoons . o_O also noted small corrosion perforation in near side floor pan within 600 mm of load bearing area .( a fail on majority of cars) . when I asked why not my rover. (just got an advisory) .. response was metal around it was perfectly ok and juts needs a 15mm patch over it. ( but said ideally bigger is better) and asked what was I going to do? when I said have a plate welded in before weeend. was out and shall I bring it back for checking? he said no need. He had looked at state of car and can see its well cared for and you wasn't aware pin hole in underseal and won't notice imbalance on braking as needs rolling road. was certain I would. have it fixed asap anyway , just needed to bring to my attention.
so a tester with common sense .. rare ? or was it he was aware being of a certain age that a loved car will get anything put right asap. he also knew about. wipers not covering. all screen at all times NOT being a fail on these cars as did this from new. ( very curved screen so part of wiper rubber fails to stay on screen as curve too excessive)
I agree insurance companies discounting if owner has MOT every year as showing a safe responsible attitude to safety of self and others and keeping car roadworthy as possible.
I would like to see a form of printed MOT disc we ca. buy? get when passing an MOT to stick in screen. both as a reminder to selves date due and so others can see .hopefully start trend . sort of like responsible dog owners pick up after pets mess. so responsible car owners ought to have a form of 'badge ' to show for efforts and with a wee bit of luck such as at car meets , pressure from others just may? make them fee they too need to have a proper MOT test . sort of badge of honour .
alternative may be owners clubs asking members attending public events under club banner have an MOT to do so! we all for example assume all have insurance ( as police tend to take a dim view otherwise) so why not a public MOT disc . yes aware these can be forged but how about on holographic paper with a reference number to test centre etc thus anybody can check ..sorrt. enough ranting on. have a nice drive all.
 
see a few aware land rovers have own issues . son runs a defender and has a water leak. into cabin at front.absolute murder trying to trace entry point as it varies due to wind or rain direction . slowly checking everything out but looks as though its bulk head.
So, you have stuff leaking IN? :eek::oops:o_O
What sorcery is this?

Bulkhead is a big job. At least, with the fenders off, you can get to everything a lot easier. Good luck!
 
just checked :) hand brake is at 3 'clicks' . still a useless as ever. funny a shad almost same brakes on my old mk4 zephyr and they were brilliant! have replaced both rear callipers .discs .pads. new cable .checked. linkages etc and still rubbish . unless you have arms like Popeye and eaten a can of spinach.. so I make sure I never park on incline an always use 'PARK' as can't trust handbrake at all.
tester was familiar apparently with rovers as served apprenticeship with them ( many many years ago ) and said rear brakes were a common problem on these cars in trade . did not tell me anything wrong there.. hoping to get to Whitewebbs all rover club meet ( when I see it advertised ) at Enfield and ask if a kind rover P6 owner will let me sit in car and try his handbrake for comparison. At moment car on four axle stands getting its oil. filters changed and a check underneath etc rear valance off at moment as have decided it needed. repainting. had. colour. code paint mad up Cameron green '74. and it was. a bit too light ? so as car has been resprayed in past by previous owner can only assume they got wrong paint code? now rear valance was left 2 days at a pint mixing trade shop. just got a 500ml tin of paint. made up to match. colour of. paint on car now . so hopefully will look half decent when back on .
also had front grill.bumpers etc off removed rad ..cleaned again ( did this before ) dropped front valance ..that had been repaired in lower left corner by previous owner though 'hand' painted over ( luckily. colour was same) so refits Ok but the two 'bolt ' retaining strips to wing to valance were well past best. didn't see any at first online so made new from some stainless steel plate and stainless bolts welded and ground to match originals ( actaully 5-6 mm. wider)
so hopefully will get car back on all four rubber bands asap ;) gives her a short run or two before putting her away until season starts in march.
 
Sounds like your handbrake cable is adjusted too tight not allowing self adjusters to work on rear pads.
 
hmm will have a look tomorrow . though tester seems happy enough and I have checked for play on rear brakes ( almost nil ) brake cable was free returning to its stops etc. but will def give it an examination before day is out. worth an effort .
 
This is the first year I have not put my 3500S in for an MOT. Driving it last week, I thought how well is was running and nice to drive. I thought I was able to detect if there was anything wrong with my car.
So instead of an MOT, I booked car into a local Rover P6 specialist for a through 'Spring service' and asked him to carry out an 'MOT type inspection,' expecting a clean bill of health for the car.
The previous MOT had an advisory of "slight play in steering idler," which had been noted in several previous MOT's, and I had been advise to wait until it fails and then change the idler, as it is a horrible job to do.
I was shocked to be told that my steering idler was "leaking badly, the worst he had ever seen." and that the steering boss also needed replacing, and a load of other faults like split rubber ball joint covers, and a bulge in a tyre sidewall.The car is now undergoing remedial work and I am left much poorer and wiser.
Would an MOT tester, used to modern cars, have noticed these faults?
Should I have been able to detect them while driving, or looking under the car? I decided last year that I was getting too old to mess about under a car any more, and that I would pay someone else to do that., but there was no legal reason why I should have sent the car fro a service and check. In the past I might have just changed the oil and carried on driving.
The lesson here is that an annual inspection, by an expert, is needed, even if, like me, you only drive 2,000 miles a year.
 
"Should I have been able to detect them while driving, or looking under the car? I decided last year that I was getting too old to mess about under a car any more, and that I would pay someone else to do that., but there was no legal reason why I should have sent the car fro a service and check."
There is no legal requirement to get the car checked but it is your legal responsibility to ensure the car is safe & legal to drive at all times, MOT or not.
 
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