Hi There

New to the forum after lurking these past few weeks while fixing my '57 plate Freelander 2 2.2 TD4. Had it since its first MOT
Quite scary on here reading all the things that can go wrong!
My Freelander has done 160k miles, serviced up to 80k by franchised dealer (expensive), thereafter by an independent (cheaper and no worse IMHO). What has been replaced so far? It's on its 3rd set of discs, 2nd set rear shocks, 1 timing belt, 1 battery, and umpteen set of tyres (always 4 at a time).
Last week I bought an OBDII reader. This week I replaced the thermostat and blanked the EGR (instant 10% improvement in fuel consumption). Before next winter it looks like I'll be replacing the glowplugs as one or more of them appears to be faulty.

Rank Amatuer said:

New to the forum after lurking these past few weeks while fixing my '57 plate Freelander 2 2.2 TD4. Had it since its first MOT
Quite scary on here reading all the things that can go wrong!
My Freelander has done 160k miles, serviced up to 80k by franchised dealer (expensive), thereafter by an independent (cheaper and no worse IMHO). What has been replaced so far? It's on its 3rd set of discs, 2nd set rear shocks, 1 timing belt, 1 battery, and umpteen set of tyres (always 4 at a time).
Last week I bought an OBDII reader. This week I replaced the thermostat and blanked the EGR (instant 10% improvement in fuel consumption). Before next winter it looks like I'll be replacing the glowplugs as one or more of them appears to be faulty.

Click to expand...

hi and welcome

just a quick heads up ref new mot rules

So...

Advisories are being replaced with minor fails. These are all pre-written & approved by DVSA. You will still get a pass but they will be noted on your test certificate. Manual advisories are still being worked out but may disappear completely.

Those of you who have changed your standard headlight bulbs for HID's will now get a major fail even if the aim is correct. It has always been an offence to fit HID bulbs to halogen headlamps so the MOT is now in line with that.

Reverse lights are now part of the MOT for any car registered from 1st September 2009 (59 plate onwards). Daytime running lamps (DRL's) & front fog lamps must work on vehicles registered from March 2018 (18 plate onwards).

Engine Management Light is now a major fail. It must come on with the ignition and then turn off when the engine is started.

Brake pad warning lights are a major fail

Handbrake with excessive travel is now a major fail. Before it would only a fail if there was no reserve travel.

Contaminated (dirty) brake fluid is a major fail. Not sure how that will work as the MOT tester isn't allowed to remove the fluid cap.

Oil leaks (engine, gearbox etc.) can be a major failure if they are deemed large enough.

It seems they have removed the failure for tyres not being fitted according to sidewall instructions. Inner/outer or rotation incorrect.

Any modifications/removal to emissions related devices, this includes DPF'S and EGR's is now a major fail.

Where a DPF canister has clearly been cut open and re-welded, it will now fail.

A vehicle fitted with a DPF that emits any kind of visible smoke during the metered test will now fail

Emissions limits for diesels registered on or after 1st of January 2014 have been reduced. All diesels will now need to pass the limit that was set by the manufacturer when the car was new. This can be found on the VIN plate. For example the current limit for your diesel car may be 1.50. That could change to as low as 0.30 with the new rules.

Interesting, thanks. The only thing that might impact my 2007 Freely is the less than obvious egr blanking plate. If I take it out for the MOT the NOx will go down (not measured, so why bother), but smoke/particulates may go up (a potential fail). No DPF fitted as far as I’m aware (must have a look, although I have no idea where it is or what one looks like).

There has been a thread or two suggesting leaving that blanking plate exactly where it is and fitting the valve back on top.....