What's Involved with an MOT?

[@kiradotee]

Darren deserves a tip/lunch bought for him for taking his time to explain and answer every question.

[@Euroboss01]

Fair Play!

[@davidreynolds3709]

You first…

[@maverickhistorian6488]

Indeed! 😁 buy that man a drink.

[@angrycyclist9387]

When you own a modified, old, rust prone car, the MOT involves a lot of nerves and anxiety.

[@cal2022]

got mine on monday with exactly that, a modified old rust prone car

[@angrycyclist9387]

@@cal2022 I've welded up my MX5 twice now. I'm just trying to find the guts to replace the front chassis rails. It's a big job, so I haven't had the balls to pull the angle grinder out yet.

[@cal2022]

@@angrycyclist9387 it's the subframes that go on my Celica mainly and rear subframes are hard to come by on them. Plus the sills and arches go too. Think I'm still good for now though

[@jacobfoster6773]

As an a fellow mx5 owner, reading this I knew you were talking about the mx5! 😂 I've also just spotted some bubbling in the offside door jam on the sill, and my front wings had a bit of surface rust just behind the front wheels, hammerited it for now but the car will get a full respray at some point. At least the rear sills should be solid as the rot got cut out last mot!

[@pussinboots1145]

Don't worry just keep it for longer and when it's 40 it'll be exempt :)

[@richiebtime489]

That machine for the headlights is like your car going to the opticians 🤭😅

[@philipscott1128]

A lot of times when checking the beam pattern, it's just a big blob of light. It's because people just shove the bulb in any direction. There is a notch on the bulb that has to line up in the housing for it to produce the correct beam pattern.

[@BrianMcGuirkBMG]

Which is better? No. 1 or no. 2?

[@richiebtime489]

@@BrianMcGuirkBMG Haha yeah. I find eye tests quite relaxing if you have the right person.

[@myapinion7532]

A taxi drove into my car and smashed the offside headlight. I had to get a new one fitted and when it went to MOT it failed because the headlight wasn't aligned properly. Guy said it was pointing way up in air somewhere. So never take it for granted that the person who fits your new headlight aligns it. Ya live and learn.

[@richiebtime489]

@@myapinion7532 yes, I bought a used car that had been repaired on the front end and people kept flashing me at night because my headlights were miles off alignment

[@TheCloudWalking]

Amazing video, most of the time you just read a list of what they look into but actually seeing someone doing it is pretty refreshing.

[@phillipsiviter2024]

Always great when your car passes it’s annual physical with flying colours.

[@inasteinbergs1393]

Especially when it’s 25+ years old 🙄

[@wirdy1]

At a time when money is tight for many folk & servicing is sometimes skipped, the MOT test is still the best value you'll ever get for a full check of all safety-related items on your car.

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

An MOT is only to test that your vehicle is (at the time it's in the garage) safe to drive on the roads. Many people have passed an MOT and then had problems as soon as they have driven down the road. A full service is better and worth the money.

[@heisenfeis]

@@rufusgreenleaf2466 This is very true. A service is usually not that expensive if you KZbin stuff IMO, I just make them do the oil change put it in the Service book and remove the lamp ect. Then I change the air and cabin filter myself, I drive a Toyota so it is crazy simple. I feel most Japanese/Korean cars are the same way. Also I bought OBD2 reader to keep tabs on codes I might get, and just Google the codes trying to get a grip on what it means. I feel this is bare bones what is to be expected when you own a car today with little money. Necessity is the mother of invention. Also another note if your car is a little older, Service manuals are available on the internet like every possible service. You can always use the owners manual but the internet even have walkthroughs on some Forums ect. It is alot easier now compared to 30 years ago.

[@MBaileyuk]

I've always wondered what happens when my car gets an MOT haha. I always just drop it off and hope for the best. Very interesting Ashley!

[@semiacoustic2017]

I would take my car to that garage based on that guys attitude and politeness alone and I live 225 miles away, what a legend.

[@roryparry9857]

I took my car to go have its MOT this morning, only to find that the passenger side wing mirror had been pulled completely off during the night. But it turns out the left mirror isn’t necessary to pass the MOT and I have a new one arriving in a day or so.

[@acesul8811]

So that's true! I always thought it was a myth.

[@whichwasher2007]

same with the rear view mirror. you dont need one to pass a MOT. motorbikes don't need mirrors at all to pass a MOT. but if they have mirrors fitted they must not be broken otherwise they will fail.

[@sameyers2670]

Some cars in the 80s, base model Metros etc only had a driver and interior mirror fitted as by law all a car needs is a drivers mirror and a passenger or interior mirror

[@007DMW]

Cars and dual purpose vehicles - after 1 June 1978 yes One external (ns) or one internal (at least one mirror fitted externally on the nearside unless a mirror which gives the driver an adequate view to the rear is fitted internally)

[@007DMW]

Cars and dual purpose vehicles - after 26 January 2010 must have a n/s mirror

[@javonaziz5323]

If I lived in Liverpool, I would take my car to that garage for everything 🤙 what a top guy!

[@stephenrochester6309]

Yes! Would love to see more of this kind of content. Dealing with garages is tough for many people starting out (and many people who have been driving for years). Ps. Great job, Darren.

[@maxmac7845]

It used to state on the MOT that it is not evidence of the roadworthiness of the vehicle. That applies as soon as it's driven out of the garage that carried it out.

[@markwright3161]

Makes sense like if someone has a slow enough puncture to pass the test (holds enough air to not go flat while there) but on the way home goes flat then blows potentially causing a collision.

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

An MOT is only valid when they are testing it, sure they will put advisories on the paper if they feel the car has wear that could build up before the next MOT but as soon as you drive out of the garage problems could still happen.

[@freespirit906]

Thanks for sharing. Darren and his garage are really cool as they’ve allowed us all to get an insight into MOT testing. I’m sure a lot of people worry about sending their cars in for MOT , from experience some garages behave unscrupulously, where they’ve fabricated work that needs doing and then charged you extortionately. My car passed its MOT last week with 0 advisories.

[@Plexipal]

Ash read my mind again. Just booked my MoT this morning for November.

[@MrAllister88]

You missed the bit out where you leave a crate of beer on the passenger seat for the mechanic.

[@venomzhere773]

does that actually work

[@MrAllister88]

@@venomzhere773 More of an urban legend really!

[@BaldMancTwat]

@@venomzhere773 Depends on the mechanic, doesn't it?

[@ivanhowlett4907]

@@venomzhere773 Not in a reputable garage, if the tester passed it knowing it had defects and the vehicle was subsequently involved in an accident causing injury or death because of said defect the tester would be in serious trouble.

[@james-5560]

@@lewisjefferson260 Eh? why would the garage pay for your car to pass its MOT. Sorry but I don't get you.

[@empirecook]

More content like this please! And more from Darren! I like to think I’m clued up on car mechanics to an extent. But I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to learn more. Definitely didn’t know that black brake fluid is a fail

[@JensenTaylor2804]

Appreciate videos like this ? There is a lot more involved in the world of cars than just driving. Much appreciated look into the MOT and servicing of a car !

[@mda5003]

I always watch an MoT being done to my car - every testing station has to provide a viewing area but you are not allowed to interfere and it's very rare to actually speak to the mechanic whilst it is being completed.

[@YesMush.]

I may be 2 years late but my test centre shuts the shutters down while testing the cars.

[@mda5003]

​@@YesMush. You are allowed to remain with the car and all test stations have to provide a viewing area or at least a 'window' should you wish to watch the test. It's not permitted to communicate with the tester. Note these VOSA requirements for MoT Centres: For a site to be considered for approval it must provide the following: 4.1 Premises with: e)a clearly identified weatherproof public waiting room or area from which the whole test can be directly observed without interruption, except for road testing (room for 2 seated people is considered sufficient). the observation room or area should be identified by a notice and floor markings if applicable. There should also be a notice in reception indicating the presence of a viewing area.

[@mysterymonkey]

Great video. I used to be an MoT tester up until six years ago, I would have got in great trouble for doing a video like that, I was always told that the public should stand in the viewing area and weren’t allowed to interfere at any point in the test. Maybe I’m just too old school!

[@acesul8811]

Good job Darren, explaining things so well. Very interesting!

[@123MondayTuesday]

I can do my own MOT now! Cheers mate!

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

*Opens the bonnet then scratches head* "Yep that's passed".

[@martinluffman8747]

Good mechanic. He closed the bonnet rather than just letting it slam down.

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

I get your point, a lot of mechanics are too busy and end up being heavy handed to get the job done faster.

[@SPGM1903]

Dropping bonnet from low height makes you sure that it is locked. Closing by touching and then pushing may cause dents on surface. MAY, not MUST. Just by closing it should be able to hear 'click', otherwise it would make a tester cautious about security locks of a bonnet. What was strange about his behaviour was chronology of testing things: car tyres, then seat belts. Anyway, he was calm and did his job properly ;)

[@khalidacosta7133]

Forgot the bit where the MOT man makes ya wait 15 minutes because the DVLA system flags up an error if the test is done too quickly! lol

[@matthewsmith2787]

The quickest I have had it done is 30 minutes

[@007DMW]

@@matthewsmith2787 the DVLA system checks your average time you do the test as some cars will take less time to do like a fully electric or hybrid car you will not have to check emissions

[@ijbmottesting]

DVSA so t look at individual test times all done on our months stats some cars take 40 mins and some take an hour and a half

[@georgebarnes8163]

the normal test time at my local test centre is 15 minutes but it can take up to a year to get a test date.

[@deanmadnut2614]

​@@georgebarnes8163 that's not what they mean bud, they are talking about the average time to do an mot test, which you should be spending around 45minutes per test, but some take longer and some can only take half an hour

[@ButterflyHope24]

Natasha & Debbie sent me to say Hi 👋 have subbed ❤ 🇬🇧 thank you too to Darren for allowing himself to be filmed and for all the explanations he gave 😀 ❤

[@robhardingham6770]

Well done for gaining that insight, especially to the garage and Darren for allowing it.

[@28YorkshireRose12]

Where I live, the MOT station is seven miles away, so you stay with the car until it's tested. You are allowed to observe the MOT in progress (under normal, non-covid conditions), and the tester will point out anything requiring attention. Technically, you cannot go under the car with the tester, and strictly speaking, you're not supposed to touch the car during the test. I always observe the test, and since a large part of my early career was involved in vehicle operations (I cannot say what or where), I often got drafted in as the second 'hand' during the test (It's a bit like a vet operating on their own animal!) and did the steering and brakes assistant parts (rocking the steering wheel, pushing the brake pedal and pulling the handbrake lever, as well as wipers, screen washer, horn and lights etc.) You have no say on the tester's findings of course, and you are under the tester's instruction. - Not permitted now, but it was interesting. Did you know that if your car has a towbar, its electricals are also tested? - I was a bit surprised at that, about ten or fifteen years ago when it was first introduced. And to think, when the test was first introduced, it was little more than a brakes, lights and steering check, bodywork wasn't even looked at, and nor were the tyres, as long as the tyres weren't worn through to the cords, tread was almost 'optional'!

[@josephmarsh8235]

Great video of an MOT test Ashley. It gives me more of an idea of what goes on.

[@jontownsend8090]

There isn't many jobs where a person is replaced by a metal rod. Interesting to see and get familiar with the correct process of an mot.

[@JohnsonTheSecond]

A male prostitute comes to mind

[@firstnamesecondname5341]

Cassies law 🇬🇧 and the importance of the over 70’s understanding it’s implications could be a topic for a video

[@anonanon561]

I got the dodgiest MOT yesterday. Passed first time and I only had advisories on the break pads + discs. He didn't question the fact my Airbag light was on, and my brake callipers are seizing too.

Great info about the colour of the brake fluid. I'll certainly be including this as part of the tell me questions :-)

[@michellehawkins20]

This video is an amazing insight on what happens when your car goes for an MOT fab thanks 👍

[@SamFBM]

hes an honest mot guy. youll find a fair share of them who are super picky and just want you to have repairs done which aren't major

[@theaylesburycyclist8756]

Great video. An excellent insight into keeping the MOT inspector happy. 🙂👍

[@slyfoxyandalifesaver]

Very insightful, I never considered some of the complications of issues which I might of thought of as minor before. Saying that I still disagree with LEDs bulbs in totally not accepted in regulations but that's legislation and regulations. Thank you both Ashley and Darren.

[@phillwainewright4221]

Before taking your car for the MOT test, it's worth getting a mate to help you check all your lights are working, and replace any blown bulbs. My mechanic told me he's lost count of the number of cars he's failed because of one blown bulb!

[@lewisjefferson260]

Well there's no point doing that though, because you get 14 days within which to fix whatever is wrong with it.

[@jamescaley9942]

I know mechanics who used to do "pre MOT" or "MOT preparation" checks before officially submitting it. So it would always pass first time, at least officially.

[@phillwainewright4221]

@@lewisjefferson260 Yes, but if you take it away to fix it, you have to pay a re-test fee.

[@lewisjefferson260]

@@phillwainewright4221 What country are you in? In the UK, retests are free, and rightly so. A paid retest policy is one that is just begging to be abused by garages

[@phillwainewright4221]

@@lewisjefferson260 Look up MOT retest fee on the dot Gov website ... only *some* retests are free, and those have to be done within 10 days.

[@busterboy7505]

Nice of Daren to take part in your video , This video was quite helpful 👍👍.

[@matthewsmith2787]

A lot of people think a MOT is a service, it’s not. It’s a safety check

[@sameyers2670]

It comes as a surprise to some that mot testers can't dismantle anything but there are good reasons for this. Firstly it means a test would take longer and the other main thing is who is liable if something breaks during being stripped down or won't go back together properly

[@neiltill7414]

I have seen that process before as the garage I used to use before moving house you could stand and watch them doing the MOT which I always found interesting. Just bought a 4 year old car with 12 months MOT on it which is good I don't have to go through that until next year.

[@phillwainewright4221]

Yes, the garage I use has a viewing area.

[@chrisclarke6344]

@@phillwainewright4221 they all have to its a requirement.

[@lewisjefferson260]

@@chrisclarke6344 Not in the ones I've been in

[@chrisclarke6344]

@@lewisjefferson260 there should be even if its just a taped area with a sign comes in under section 4.1 of premises requirements.

[@lewisjefferson260]

@@chrisclarke6344 well Ray Barnett's garage in harelaw doesn't have that in, nor does any other garage in the area. Very strange.

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

Just had my MOT yesterday, no advisories but a cracked spring coil caused it to fail the first time. For an extra £90 to replace it, i hope it's fixed that slight clunking sound i've been hearing when passengers have been in the back.

[@stendecstretcher5678]

There are good honest mechanics out there. We need Darren down under.

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

I'm sure any mechanic would be honest when on camera. Although Darren seems humble enough to be one of the legit ones out there.

[@johnlenon5052]

Excellent video Mr Neal

[@jay5112006]

I’m a mot tester I’ve just passed my CPD for the second year trust me DVSA always do changes each year

[@MK-1973]

Really useful thanks. Going to top up my screenwash now!

[@gordondry]

Cheers from northern Germany, much appreciated.

[@Animalambulanceandy1]

Ahhhh the dreaded mot .....interesting to see ....and great to see the 4 legged "workforce" too 🙂

[@donaldasayers]

I generally respect the process, it is a long time (at least 30 years.) since a tester tried to fail me on something just to generate work and the process keeps dangerous cars off the road. This year they found that one rear brake wasn't working at all a fact that I had somehow missed. My old kitcar had two sets of horns, a little polite one on the end of the ex Marina indicator wand and a set of airhorns on a discreet little red button on the dash, just an easy finger prod away from the steering wheel. It was always fun waiting for that moment when the tester, like the Mangalore aliens in Fifth Element, wondered what the little red button did...

[@NoobAdventuresGaming]

Did they ever put anything on your MOT about it and/or test it as part of the mot?

[@donaldasayers]

@@NoobAdventuresGaming As long as one horn works they don't care.

[@NoobAdventuresGaming]

@@donaldasayers Fair nuff. Auxiliary air horn here I come! 😂

[@winclouduk]

Glad your doing a video on this. Annoying people don’t even look after their cars. The amount of people who never top up their oil. Or even top up water. Just keep directing them moan when the car stops working

[@andrewmolloy5095]

The MOT has now actually changed, if you take your car for it's MOT early and it fails for "Dangerous" faults you are NOT allowed to drive it as it goes on the DVLA database almost immediately once the tester uploads the information and if stopped by the police you could be issued with 3 points, banned from driving and fined upto £2,500... Having said that you can drive you vehicle if it has failed on "Major" faults providing they do not make the vehicle unroadworthy or a danger to others.

[@lidge1994]

Great thing in Croatia is "Technical correctness days" are exactly a month before my yearly MOT. They're days when you can have you car checked for free..just that, only a check, it doesn't have anything to do with your actual MOT. It's always in November.

[@typicalpanda3252]

This is a MOT test being videoed...of course he'll go up and beyond and do every single thing he's meant to! most MOT stations do the basics and thats it, remember watching Halfords do my MOT through the dashcam after and they only did the most important bits some garages don't even do most parts or have the tools for things like headlight checks, MOTs are so relaxed in the UK your mates garage can give you a full MOT without even taking it. Bought my sister a Corsa last year that apparently had passed a MOT a week before, turned up with wood screws holding reg plate and bumper on, hazards didn't work, wiper arms didn't have blades on, seat moved as you braked, indicator bulbs for sidelights, some bulbs missing, still passed its MOT a week before and why MOTs are absolutely useless! not only can they be faked so easily but nothing checks the MOT garage has done every test and done it correctly and they cant even remove anything so your wheels and undertrays hide most things anyway.

[@sabriath]

I used to be a mechanic, I know the business well.....the issue with it here in the states, or at least with the garages I've known, is that they are extremely greedy and will try and sell you on things you don't actually need. Air filter could still have 75% of its life left, you need an air filter.....tires are down to 6, you need new tires......you have an extremely tiny imperfection in your rotor, cut them? Nah, you need new ones, all 4, because why not? I actually quit working that field because of how disgusting it was, it's even worse in some places in Maryland, as shops are known to put a mechanic "hold" on your vehicle because it might not be up to code, and then they sell you nonsensical garbage (one time they held my ex's father's car because the seat was "too far back" even though he was well over 6 feet). Can't trust them, sorry

[@phillwainewright4221]

I took my car to a well-known franchise here in the UK once - and only once. They said I needed new wiper blades. The ones I had worked perfectly well, the new ones they fitted left smears. They also said my indicator lenses were the wrong colour!!! Shysters.

[@staffordshirebullterrierli7411]

He forgot to say that they also have to check that the seat belt unclips whilst pulling it hard. This was brought in a few years ago so if a car is over turned it will unclip easily.

[@LukeTR2000]

The bit I'm confused by is how my car plays up all year with it's rear seatbelts by locking up without coming all the way out far enough to plug in but then is never picked up on the MOT. I'm going to ask them to fail it this year because the seatbelts have been that bad. (Been into the garage about it but they said they're working fine 🤷‍♂️)

[@staffordshirebullterrierli7411]

@@LukeTR2000 just give em some wd40 mate. I guarantee this is in failure list. I've had the blessing for watching and learning my cars threw mot's for past 20 years. Being an engineer, it easy if you can work some spanners, just watch ya knuckles lol. If you know what a mot fail is then you can learn to fix it yourself! Has saved me shit tons of money!!! :) I only wanted to learn because I was sick and tired of getting ripped off buying cars!

[@staffordshirebullterrierli7411]

@@LukeTR2000 you could try just cleaning them with soap water, they will probably free up :)

[@staffordshirebullterrierli7411]

@@LukeTR2000 Thought you meant locking in with them. A clean of the belt should sort that, a bit of wd down the mechanisms wouldn't hurt

[@VSTV1993]

My seatbelt does my head in. When i unclip it, it doesn't retract properly so it takes me 5 seconds keep pulling it too reel back in. I've tried the trick with soaking the belt in washing up liquid. Iv tried WD40. It's an old car 07 plate so it's expected but it's annoying

[@ruthless5533]

been driving for 6 month and already knew all this. probably because the MOT garage I went to had me sit in the car and do everything that she couldn't do and look at at the same time :D

[@LukeTR2000]

My matiz fails every 2 years thanks to the amount of rust underneath it. The MOT for that is 4th October but I usually get it done in the 4 weeks leading up to needing doing. I tend to get the repairs done by the MOT garage but this year I think the corrosion is going to need to be done properly. I've just got a new agila to replace it but the MOT for that is July so I'm planning on getting that one done again in October so that everything is back where it needs to be.

[@Frenulem]

I failed an MOT because the gap between the two blocks of characters on my reg plate was too small

[@andreaswarberg3996]

Thanks for the great video - very interesting! Can you do one on an annual service too?

[@Claire-zz9pj]

I’d like to see a service one aswell

[@ayushmpb95]

Such a helpful video. Thanks a ton...

[@1066gaz]

Your car can fail its mot if metal is pretruding from the surface of the bodywork, if its been in a accident for example, or rotted wings etc, in that it can catch a pedestrians clothing when they walk past. In the not too distance past the mot man used to test drive your car on the mot, but not now. I can't believe that a car can pass its test with a screw or nail in the tyre, in that a tyre can easily blow out on the motorway with said objects.

[@_dude..]

Not just metal - I've had the thing with the bodywork (bit of trim had a broken clip and was protruding) bit of gaffer tape ensured a pass until I got it repaired.

[@amyk9813]

Always do the basic checks which you can fix before having one (checking lights, tread, fluid levels etc)... It could save you a retest/money! :) It did for me all because I checked my oil level

[@Strider9655]

The MOT doesn't care about you're oil level, or coolant level, stuff like that is general maintenance. A tech might use the general state of the car when determining a borderline pass/fail. The MOT is only about safety.

[@amyk9813]

@@Strider9655 not true - "If your vehicle is going for an MOT and you turn up with low oil, you should expect to be turned away and forfeit your fee. The emissions test cannot be conducted without enough oil; conversely, you do not want an emissions test if you have over-filled it."

[@Strider9655]

@@amyk9813 You don't understand, oil level is not an MOT failure point. You get turned away because they don't want to damage the vehicle on their ramp and have to pay out on their insurance. A lot of people will send their car for an MOT with no oil in it, having not had a service for the last 5 years, because they think the MOT covers more than it does. The same thing applies to low fuel level, they'll turn you away for that too.

[@amyk9813]

@@Strider9655 That's not what I was told. I was told by a garage had I not filled up my oil and windscreen washer levels, I would've failed and had to have had a retest. I'm a trainee AE atm, so I'll ask my boss and see what he says :)

[@Strider9655]

@@amyk9813 Well you need washer fluid to be able to check the washers work, and those ARE an MOT fail point. The problem is they're not actually allowed to do anything to the car, they HAVE to test is as presented by the customer. Up until quite recently they weren't even supposed to open the bonnet.

[@spacerockerlightyears]

I usually watch my MOT being performed, unfortunately I find it interesting and I can look underneath too. Interestingly my hybrid does not undergo a emission test, it’s impossible! The guy who runs the garage does all MOT’s for the taxi trade for the council. He also looks after my Toyota but nothing ever goes wrong with it, he says, it probably never will!

[@Strider9655]

I thought councils had their own MOT test centres, because a lot of people recommend using those if you're worried about being scammed. Hybrids should have an emission test, I suspect like many garages, yours just doesn't know how to work on all this modern stuff.

[@spacerockerlightyears]

@@Strider9655 The council put it to tender and he won. Hybrids don’t have emission tests. The engine cuts in and out so it’s impossible. His mechanics have been on courses to deal with hybrids etc. In their opinion they’re like any other car mechanically, except there’s less moving parts therefore less to wrong. Plenty of taxis are now hybrids so they work on quite a few.

[@doctorsocrates4413]

Years ago you were able to catch these testers out by taking your vehicle to 2 separate testing stations and comparing the results.With information being on databases now this has been eliminated.

[@grahamnutt8958]

One or two changes since being in the Motor Trade; beneficial to watch nonetheless. A word of warning, though. MOT pass is not a 100% guarantee of roadworthiness...... Below is what I experienced with a BMW 5 series...... Whenever driving over a pothole - or similar - the steering used to shake quite noticeably. The MOT inspector had passed the vehicle and, apparently, found no fault..... I had even highlighted the issue as it was obviously not right 🤔. Two months later I had someone else (not an MOT inspector) out - at my request - for a brief drive. Within 30 seconds the problem was diagnosed...... Faulty shock absorbers. Suffice to say that all 4 corners were replaced before too much time elapsed. Problem solved. Apparently, before replacement, the car was a disaster waiting to happen - no joke! Don't rely on the MOT as things can slip through the net. Stay safe everyone 👍

[@chrisclarke6344]

Its a pass if shock absobers are attached correctly both ends, not leaking or excessively corroded. The mot does not check their efficiency.

[@grahamnutt8958]

@@chrisclarke6344 I made a very specific request to have certain things checked, based on what I had experienced when driving. It should have been diagnosed as the car was, potentially, left in a dangerous state.

[@chrisclarke6344]

@@grahamnutt8958 not on an mot its not a diagnosis test, just a test to see if a certain criteria is met, no more no less. For a diagnosis of a non visual problem that only manifests itself in motion the mot will not do this. Maybe you should have asked the garage to have one of their mechanics to test drive it for diagnosis after or before test.

[@grahamnutt8958]

@@chrisclarke6344 My request was specific and in addition to the MOT inspection. No fault found; yet the second mechanic picked it up straight away. It proves that some garages are not up to the task. I'm now very selective as to who looks after my vehicle. No disrespect here - good thread and intelligently discussed 👍

[@chrisclarke6344]

@@grahamnutt8958 well if it was in addition to the test thats fair comment garage failed. I was just pointing out to people,not necessarily yourself, that the mot is a static test and as such cannot determine a problem that only manifests itself under driving conditions unless it is an obvious visual problem such as a worn bush joint etc. Even badly warped brake discs can pass so long as the brake meter registers an acceptable even bias and wieght between the two wheels. The mot is not really a 'roadworthy' test more a 'no obvious defects ' test. As you say "caveat emptor'. Good to discuss with someone who doesnt immediately resort to insults etc.

[@alastairward2774]

In Northern Ireland they're done in government run garages. There are a few grumblings that in England an MOT involves a friendly garage and a nudge and a wink.

[@lancefawcett1809]

Chances of getting a dodgy mot these days is extremely rare, personally it's only once in a whole year. 😉

[@hikaru9624]

Didn't know there was such a thing as a brake pedal depresser! Could do with one of those for checking my lights at home.

[@m2ger8]

i saw a guy use his brush (we all have one in car for winter, to get snow off your car), put it between the seat and the pedal, then moved seat forward.

[@Strider9655]

The humble house brick has been replaced by the latest technology.

[@hikaru9624]

@@Strider9655 bricks are handy if you have any spare.

[@hikaru9624]

@@m2ger8 mine would be too flimsy to use and would just pop off if I tried to use it as a depressor.

[@muttleydog4682]

Shop windows work very well for checking brake lights

[@MrSupercar55]

And here I am thinking that an MOT is just a case of dropping the car off at a friendly, reputable mechanic and praying that he doesn’t notice that it’s two halves welded together.

[@mistertechnogamer0172]

Nice way to pass an mot. Distract the mot tester. (Jk great video mate)

[@Butterfly07949]

Surprising there are not many up to date mot testing videos on utube with the government bringing in a few extra test points!

[@VSTV1993]

My thermostat (stuck open) had failed but it went through MOT with some other issues (not emmision related) but even though the car was running rich it still passed it 😂 only downside is i'm filling up way more often than i need too... good old vauxhall vectra

[@loc4725]

Just a few comments 😏: - I've serviced a car where the pads were so old 3 of them fell apart on removal. It had passed it's last MoT but mainly because they aren't allowed to remove anything, only do a visual inspection. Additionally the O/S/F caliper was in a bad condition and had to be replaced. - The brake fluid was dark yellow in the header tank but pitch black in the lines(!). - I've had a car fail it's MoT due to a broken suspension spring. The break was near the end of the spring and therefore well within the cup, which I thought was acceptable but apparently not. - Tyres should ideally be replaced at around 6-8 years, regardless of apparent condition. - Bad wheel bearings are surprisingly common (or not given the roads these days) and often ignored as the only hint of trouble is usually a humming sound coming from one corner. - He was nice and gentle with putting that bonnet back down. 🙂😏 - On emissions, watch the NOx levels. If they're high and especially if they're near the limit you may need a new cat'.

[@AA2639-m9v]

I got advisories on my cars first MOT for an aftermarket Ford exhaust that passed emissions, a magic tree air freshener and a 100% readable number plate. My previous car, an Audi A4, never had an advisory in 10 years. Needless to say I never went back to my local Ford dealer and the car hasn't had any advisories since. So it goes to show how inconsistent MOTs are.

[@rowie32]

the most dangerous part of any vehicle is the nut behind the steering wheel, and in the last 20 years i have found 1 of those about every 3 minutes on the road.

[@BrianMcGuirkBMG]

Shouldn't you look in the mirror more often than that?

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

Took me a while, i'm ashamed.

[@Unicornmeme123]

Take in mind all garage mechanic in UK try to take as much as possible from your pocket get sold yoir car walk or use buss or have car but use a Council MOT not garage who to mislead .

[@johnkeepin7527]

Interesting background. Usually I get mine done at the same dealer which has the contract to do annual services under warranty (as long as it’s within the recommended mileage), so the arrangement is usually that they do the MOT early in the day, and do any extra work later on. They deal with several ‘brands’ in different locations (quite close together), but with the MOT work being consolidated at one site, so there’s a little ‘road test’ in between as well.

[@marianlenehan9618]

Thanks… very helpful 🚗💨💨💨

[@stevenward4344]

Thank you 👍🏼

[@Threelinkdave]

I have been using the same MOT Station for 20years and its a two person job, the customer being the second person

[@007DMW]

i don't think it is legal to use the customer during the test as the second person.

[@hadtopicausername]

And, when owning a classic car, make sure to find a place where they know what the law actually requires of a vehicle that age. Here in Norway, for my 1968 Beetle, it's actually the code of 1942 or something like that, that you're supposed to use :)

[@martinweizenacker7129]

Wow, so the MOT is annual. In Germany it's every 2 years and the actual checks are not that thorough, at least not in my experience.

[@carlplz00001]

Thanks for the video. the mechanic is cool and helpful.

[@younghopeproduction]

Well most garages will go under and pull a few things bang a few bits and brake your car so you go back to the garage

[@markwright3161]

We're not allowed to film MOT tests here in Northern Ireland, even have to turn off dashcams before the car goes down the lane. We have government run facilities where you drive the car down lanes through a big shed with the different stations for emissions, light alignment, then they drive the car onto the ramp/lift (I guess it's an insurance thing, some people would probably drive off the side of the ramps) at the end for suspension testing and underbody inspection. I don't understand the no filming thing as you are there for the whole process in person usually (covid restrictions are a bit different). :) Edit; You can find videos on here though of it, 'Northern Ireland MOT' should get the videos, one telling the driver to turn off the camera.

[@TheWhiskeyMan-rk7qv]

It's the emissions test that worries me. My car is a Euro 5 diesel.

[@Asto508]

Why are you worried? Unless you dpf is damaged, there is no reason to be worried. Emission standards are not transient, they are valid until explicitly banned. So far even Euro 1 Diesels will pass the emission test. The test checks whether your vehicle is within its emission standard (in your case, euro 5), not if it is within newer standards. If you car was registered new as a Euro 5 diesel, then it will be tested against the euro 5 standard.

[@AgentDaxon]

first thing i noticed in that garage was the tecalemit 4 post lift

[@cw2126]

Brilliant watch, wow 👍👍👍

[@ScottH193]

I'm pretty sure you cant drive a car after its failed an mot, now it wont flag up on a check from the police if its still before the expiry date but i'm not sure how your insurance would act if you had a incident and it turned out your driving a car with a failed mot. I couple of years ago VOSA made some changed and told MOT centre they should not let customers drives a car away that's got a dangerous fail. VOSA are constantly changing the rules regarding MOTS so it pretty hard to keep up with.

[@Asto508]

If it failed due to "dangerous" issues, then yes. But if not, the MOT should be valid until expired. How are you supposed to do repairs if you can't drive it anymore? Would make no sense unless the car is seriously broken.

[@radishpea6615]

you can drive from an mot testing station unless the mot fail is on dangerous or major items. You can drive to an mot testing station without an mot if the mot test has been pre booked, you can also drive to the mot testing station without VED. I think years ago you could still use the existing mot test until it ran out if the new mot was a fail but i do not think you can do that now, a fail means the car has a failed mot.

[@Raymond4774]

@@radishpea6615no, the existing MOT remains valid until expiry. As always the car needs to be roadworthy though.

[@radishpea6615]

@@Raymond4774 Not sure what you men by no. If the pass MOT runs out 31st December and you have an MOT done early, say 18th December, if the car fails on the 18th, the mot that runs until the 31st is no longer valid.

[@Raymond4774]

@@radishpea6615 you are completely incorrect on that. The existing MOT remains valid. Obviously you can’t use a car in a dangerous condition but that’s nothing to do with the MOT status.

[@hhuodod2209]

Yes. Having a melt down over trying to get a wire in a fekeing sear

[@OG_Rider]

I had my MOT done on Tuesday. When I drove to work on Thursday my Speedo dropped to zero and is now broken. Back in the garage already 😓

[@LordSandwichII]

Are doors required to lock in order to pass? My Grandad used to have a Citroen Xsara, and the central locking system used to fail constantly. However, I don't remember it failing on that... 3:47 I am going to get one of these! :D On second thoughts, they're quite expensive...

[@prawny12009]

Is full vin visible to mot tester on their system for comparison against what is displayed on the vehicle?

[@connor6585]

Lol this is how MOT's SHOULD be done but we all know they're not done like this....also classic oil/muck on his hands while climbing inside the car touching everything it drives me mad especially when i've came back to black marks all over my steering wheel etc, how hard is it to wash your hands or wear gloves? feel sorry for the people with cream interiors! yet to find a MOT station who treats your car with respect and does things properly without trying to rip you off. My advice go to a MOT station where they'll do it while you wait and watch them do it, ever since this my MOTs have been fine but before i have had MOT stations telling me nonsense or robbing my SD cards or leaving my some nice oil/stains on my interior, fair play the guy looks like a nice guy but your videoing him doing it! of course on video he'll do every little thing and even go up and beyond!

[@harryl9yearsago788]

Darren's a propper nice bloke you can tell

[@Ethankeenan02]

Imagine putting the pedal presser one the accelerator 🤣

[@SuperDirtyFrank]

Depends where you take your car.

[@fredwest2234]

Seat covers would be a good idea to avoid dirty overalls on the seats!

[@monsurchowdhury6734]

The tester didn't remove the airfreshesner hanging on the inner windscreen middle mirror which is instantly a fail because of ristriction of view during test and if he did remove it before starting the test he is covered and all he needs to do is advise on the VT20 "items removed prior to test".

[@MrDingDongPong]

Bet you're fun at parties

[@jalalhaider83]

I have a question if the engine part fault that appears within a car which is bought with 6 months of warrantee, and its not manufactured by the vendor anymore or its not available in the market, so can replacement or refund be asked from the dealer if its in 4 month of its warrantee period as clearly its not a happy car for the customer anymore due to parts availability???? what if the dealer says well MOT was clear as its not checked in MOT? Any advice please?

[@glennlingard7851]

Thank goodness I live in Wisconsin where we don’t have to muck about like this!

[@stewart_fisher]

Does an air freshener on your mirror cause an MOT failure? if so Darren failed to spot that or at least advise against it.

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

It can but because everyone does it, some mechanics just overlook it. I still take mine down though before an MOT just to be safe. Same with my Dash cam as i have a wire from it going down to the 12V socket. It's better just to be safe.

[@typicalpanda3252]

MOT stations don't care...imagine a MOT station fails your car for a dashcam or air freshener, do you know how many people would go back? MOT stations are still a business! most don't even do half of this stuff and only the basics and getting a fake MOT is as easy as booking it in.