Prepping for MOT - anything to look out for?

[Smitters]

About to go through the first MOT in my ownership and I wondered - is there anything out of the ordinary on a Seven I should double check?

Obviously I'll be walking round on lights, brake lights etc, but are there any silly little things that could trip me up?

Thanks

Danny

[Matt UK]

I got tripped up after switching my headlights - the MOT tester even laughed as they weren't even close.

[pikeyboy]

Mines just gone straight through although my tester is very friendly when it comes to my car!

[HustleRussell]

Handbrakes don't get used much (mine never does!) so excercise/ lubricate the mechanism.
Make sure there's windscreen fluid in the bottle
Exercise the hazard light switch- it is self cleaning but through underuse it can get a bit dodgy and effect the hazards and indicators.
If it's a catalysed car, give it a damn good thrashing on the way and get the emissions test with the engine hot.
Your headlamp adjustment is probably out, so take a spanner! (21mm on mine)
Make sure you check your brake lights as the switches can pack up occasionally.

[DCL]

If the car has got an LSD, don't forget to mention it to the tester. It'll do away with much of brake testing which is one less thing to worry about.

[mickrick]

Why would having a LSD effect the brake test? Surely putting it on the rollers is the same as backing off on the throttle on the road?

[Matt UK]

My tester said not to put it on the rollers - he mentioned the LSD, but seemed more worried about the sump. I went out with him in the car with me and he did a tap test (?).

Also just be careful with the ramps - the Caterham is so narrow I didn't have a lot of leeway. Also, the first ramp jack wouldn't fit under the sump, so had to reverse off and try the other one.

Also, if your car is pre-SVA be prepared to use 15mins as they scan all of their VOSA paperwork to comply with the rules... when it was agreed as a smoke test only, he printed me off a copy and gave it to me to save time next time.

All things to live and learn, but my tester seemed to really enjoy it. Especially the brake test run (due to the one way system on the industrial estate we had to then go round the block, up the dual carriageway, round a few good roundabouts then back)

Edited by Matt UK on Friday 23 March 10:47

[standardman]

Not sure why LSD's and brake tests don't go together but they definately don't. Had an MOT guy test my Capri 2.8 Special years ago and mentioned it, I also recall watching an MOT guy confused by the results and then shouting over "Ere mate has this got an LSD on it ?" not supposed to get good for them either.

[sjmmarsh]

The brake test checks individual wheels and the LSD interferes with this (and I don't think it likes it either as the rollers are trying to stop one wheel with the other still turning, while the LSD is trying to do the opposite)

Steve

[DCL]

mickrick said:

Why would having a LSD effect the brake test? Surely putting it on the rollers is the same as backing off on the throttle on the road?

The readings are meaningless as the LSD transfers the braking torque from one side to the other. The roller test is looking at balance between the two sides as well as the ratio from front to back. None of these can be reliably measured on the standard MOT rollers when there's an LSD.

[Huff]

Yes, make clear if you have an LSD - preferably tell the MOT place when booking or on arrival. It does simplify the test - you'll get the Tapley meter test instead of the rollers - a digital box is sat flat on the floor / pass footwell and you've got to try to to fling it through the bulkhead at 15-20mph Oh, and the handbrake will get tested the same way.

IIRC min. meter score for service (footbrake) is 0.50 or 50%; min for handbrake is 0.16, or 16% efficiency. I got a big thumbs-up grin from last tester on my last MOT (Fisher Fury scored 0.99...)

[Smitters]

Thanks for the input folks.

Duly checked all the electrical bits that should be on or flash are behaving, topped up fluids etc.

A little worried as it's going without me (can't take a day off work for an MOT!) so I hope the tester is sympathetic about smeary wiper blades etc! I've cleaned the screen to within an inch of it's life, so fingers crossed.

Any way to check headlights without a pattern/obvious signs they're out? I don't get flashed at when driving and they're always on.

Cheers

ETA: Hurrah! It passed. I used Neil Garner, who is based in Kemble, Wilts and I must say I was well looked after. Cup of tea and a chat first.

Advised that the tyres are looking low. Nothing to do with some time spent on Sunday at a couple of quiet roundabouts I know I'm sure...

Edited by Smitters on Wednesday 28th March 11:24