Mot advisory

[Drivethru]

I’ve got an advisory for a slightly noisy front wheel bearing. Just after a bit of advice if this would be considered an urgent thing to fix. I don’t do a lot of miles mostly just short journeys. I haven’t noticed a noise. Thanks.

[E-bmw]

Drivethru said:

I ve got an advisory for a slightly noisy front wheel bearing. Just after a bit of advice if this would be considered an urgent thing to fix. I don t do a lot of miles mostly just short journeys. I haven t noticed a noise. Thanks.

If an MOT advisory uses the word "slightly" in it, I would say it would not be urgent.

Could also be a perception thing, as in others may not even notice it.

[Lincsls1]

Drivethru said:

I ve got an advisory for a slightly noisy front wheel bearing. Just after a bit of advice if this would be considered an urgent thing to fix. I don t do a lot of miles mostly just short journeys. I haven t noticed a noise. Thanks.

I would say not urgent at all.
Its highly likely one of those 'advisories' that would probably just disappear if you took it to a different test station next year
Your wheel bearing will get very noisy if its properly goosed and you'll notice the change in volume and sound when going around corners etc..

[Drivethru]

Thanks both. I didn’t think it was something urgent but the mechanic was saying if these things are left it could end up damaging the hub and be very costly. Just wanted another opinion.

[the-norseman]

Chances are next year, when its tested, the tester wont even notice it.

[paul_c123]

the-norseman said:

Chances are next year, when its tested, the tester wont even notice it.

My MoT tester gave the advice "fix last year's advisories and it will pass the next MoT".

[E-bmw]

paul_c123 said:

the-norseman said:

Chances are next year, when its tested, the tester wont even notice it.

My MoT tester gave the advice "fix last year's advisories and it will pass the next MoT".

That would generally be my rule of thumb also as I have always assumed that is what the "advisories" are for, however in this case as he said "slight" my thoughts would be that he maybe just wanted to put something down.

[E-bmw]

Drivethru said:

Thanks both. I didn t think it was something urgent but the mechanic was saying if these things are left it could end up damaging the hub and be very costly. Just wanted another opinion.

The likelihood is it won't damage the hub unless the bearing is the hub, in which case you would be changing it when changing the bearing anyway.

[Lincsls1]

E-bmw said:

That would generally be my rule of thumb also as I have always assumed that is what the "advisories" are for, however in this case as he said "slight" my thoughts would be that he maybe just wanted to put something down.

Whilst that would be excellent practice, in reality, having looked at many MOT histories before viewing cars, it is clear lots of people ignore 'advisories' and the car passes for several years afterwards with the advisory on repeat.
Only you can decide, might depend on how many miles you do per year etc..
But worry about it? No.

[E-bmw]

Lincsls1 said:

E-bmw said:

That would generally be my rule of thumb also as I have always assumed that is what the "advisories" are for, however in this case as he said "slight" my thoughts would be that he maybe just wanted to put something down.

Whilst that would be excellent practice, in reality, having looked at many MOT histories before viewing cars, it is clear lots of people ignore 'advisories' and the car passes for several years afterwards with the advisory on repeat.

I too have seen that many times, sometimes I have seen it where a car has gone to the same place a few times with the same advisory & then a fail after a few years of non-repair. A classic case of "a stitch in time".

Lincsls1 said:

Only you can decide, might depend on how many miles you do per year etc..
But worry about it? No.

Pretty much my thoughts, nothing to worry about, just remember it in case next year it appears again/worse and keep an eye/ear on it.

[Drivethru]

Thanks everyone for your advice, it’s very helpful and has put my mind at rest. I’ve been out this morning on a motorway run and can’t hear anything so I’m just going to monitor it.

[stevemcs]

We see it all the time, i would wait for it to get louder

[kestral]

Lincsls1 said:

I would say not urgent at all.
Its highly likely one of those 'advisories' that would probably just disappear if you took it to a different test station next year
Your wheel bearing will get very noisy if its properly goosed and you'll notice the change in volume and sound when going around corners etc..

This.

[LuS1fer]

All probably correct but when it does get loud, get it done before it start welding itself to the stub axle.

[littleredrooster]

Wheel bearings are funny things.

I had a front bearing which moaned softly for nearly 10,000 miles before I got round to fixing it, but at the other end of the scale, I had a rear wheel bearing which had a barely-noticeable hum yet collapsed spectacularly within 200 miles of first hearing it!

[donkmeister]

Drivethru said:

Thanks everyone for your advice, it s very helpful and has put my mind at rest. I ve been out this morning on a motorway run and can t hear anything so I m just going to monitor it.

What car is it?

Some wheel bearings are sealed units and cannot be serviced. Replacement can be painless or painful!

Some wheel bearings are adjustable and it's a 30 minute DIY job to sort a slight bit of wear-related play.