MOT Time

[eltax91]

Hi all, it's MOT time for me on Friday on my W reg MK2. I only bought the car last October, so didn't own it at the last MOT. Looking at the advice sheet from last year, it will probably need some new rear pads (adviced as low & don't appear to have been changed) and last year the advisory sheet states it "just passed the immitions test".

My questions are:-

1. Should i replace all 4 sets of pads, or will replacing the back one's only be OK? (The front's look about half worn i'd say)
2. Which pads do people recommned for the '5?
3. How do i avoid failing the emmisions test? Some injector cleaner in the tank, and then a good thrash on the way to the MOT station? Anything else that might affect emmisions? It seems to be running sweetly enough, except for that damn lumpy idle.

[franv8]

Brake pads - just change the rears, 5's take forever to wear out pads. Can't recommend some myslef, I do use the carbon ones from EBC that get a bad rap, they work fine for me but I think most will have better options. (At elast they were cheap-ish)

Emissions, if you've got lumpy idle I guess it's possible that your ignition is due an overhaul - new leads and plugs?

[skinny]

just change the rears. if you don't do track days then genuine mazda pads are probably as good as you can get, although axxis ultimates (available from P5) are very good too for slightly more demandign driving.

for emissions, give it a good blast before teh MOT, and make sure the car is nice and warm when it gets there.