MOT advisory for sealing welds

Hi folks,

Disco went for its MOT and failed due to a bit of welding needing done. While waiting to get the re-test, the garage told me I could seal, paint, or do anything I wanted with the repaired area. So I did as I always do and run a bead of sealant up the weld before painting.

Well on the re-test (which it passed), I gained an advisory
"welding repairs covered with protective coating"
There was no code on this advisory.

Why have I received this as an advisory? I thought this was an acceptable repair (and even confirmed previously be the garage)

Why not ask the MoT tester?
While the conditions of the test are well documented, the actual interpretation of the conditions is subjective, what can satisfy one tester might not satisfy another, especially when the point in question is marginal.
Sometimes the repair method of a previously noted failure will be listed, "just for the paperwork".
In the long run, you got it through the MoT for this year, why worry?

When we get our Elise MOT'd we get an advisory saying "Undertrays fitted". When I asked the tester if this was a problem he said everything was fine, but because he cannot remove them he could not in good conscience say everything was perfect. So in your case I would suggest he is covering himself that he cannot be blamed if your weld fails following his examination.

my chassis is caked in dinitrol including all over any welded bits, never had a mention, as mentioned tester differences or rectal protection nothing to worry about

It sounds similar to the child seat thing. prevents them testing the belt as they're not permitted to remove the seat so results in an advisory on what's probably a perfectly functioning seatbelt.

He is covering his arse. He cannot see what maybe pigeon shit welds. He is not allowed to scrape the sealer off to look, so has noted it's presence. Simples.

Some testers are a joke I think. A mini cooper we had tested had an advisory saying "plastic guards prevent inspection of the sills".
Well that's how it bloody came out the factory. It wasn't very old either so no rot issues.
Took it to another tester a year later, didn't touch the vehicle other than drove it. Flew through without an advisory .

Friend of my Fathers a professional welder....
Repaired cars to gain extra cash....
He told me once that some mot inspectors can be funny about welding thats been undersealed..
Even had some of his work fail an mot for that reason he would advise all protective coatings to be left off until a ticket was given

My welding isn't brilliant but will withstand being clouted with a big hammer. I usually grind the lumps as smooth as I can get them and then cover with a light application of filler and then grind again to make it all a lot smoother. The metal can be seen in most parts but then I coat with thick application of bitumastic paint. In 40 years of doing this I have never been challenged about any of my welding by a tester.

ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90 said:

Some testers are a joke I think. A mini cooper we had tested had an advisory saying "plastic guards prevent inspection of the sills".
Well that's how it bloody came out the factory. It wasn't very old either so no rot issues.
Took it to another tester a year later, didn't touch the vehicle other than drove it. Flew through without an advisory .

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Our local £30 test centre always fills up your MOT with advisories for everything like that, I now use a 'proper' garage for all our vehicles (which costs £50) but I now get a proper 'clean pass' MOT. And before anyone says it they are a genuine and honest garage, even aligned my headlights after I fitted new crystal ones and didn't charge so they got a donation to their charity pot instead.

Well strangely this was a £54 test centre! But similar to yours, he is a friendly guy that tries to help (I.e re-testing my car 30 mins before he was supposed to close).

All my other welds have sealant and there was no mention, so I guess your all right that because he failed it due to lack of weld and could t really confirm new weld was there (below the sealant) during the re-test, it must be a defensive statement.

As noted, it makes no difference, but I would have preferred a clean sheet of paper

As above, the testers act in self defence to cover their own backsides in case they get checked by the authorities.

Cabbie said:

As above, the testers act in self defence to cover their own backsides in case they get checked by the authorities.

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I have had advisory 'tow ball cover fitted' - a minimal plastic cover to keep the cr*p off my trouser legs. So long as it's only advisory, I'm happy.