MOT Brake test...

Got my P38 MOT'd this week and was pleasantly surprised when it passed first time with no advisories.

While I was waiting for it though, I was a bit surprised to see the tester reverse it out of the workshop and drive off up the road in it.

When I queried why, at the end of the test, I was told that was the only way they could test the brakes and that they have to do it that way for all Rangeys and Freelanders.

Is that really true? If so, how on earth would they test one in the middle of a town?

And why only Rangeys and Freelanders? Is it something to do with viscous couplings and if so are they the only ones with viscous couplings instead of centre diffs?

Just curious really. First time I've had a vehicle pass the MOT first time for a while so I'm still a bit shell shocked!

Guy

same as my defender , 4 wheels must turn at the same time as it is permanent 4 wheel drive , mot places might only have break testing rollers for two wheels

Here we go again....

There is no reason why the brakes shouldn't be tested on a 2 wheel rig.
All that is required is to ensure that the centre diff lock is disengaged (if fitted), the VCU to be in working order and for the rollers not to exceed 5 Km/Hr, which they don't.
My Defender (and many other 4 x 4 vehicles) has been tested many times on a 2 wheel rig with no problem.

Either the Tester hasn't got a clue or he's afraid that the VCU might be fooked and he doesn't want to risk any further damage. If VOSA knew what he was doing, they wouldn't be happy because a Tapley meter test is very inferior to a proper brake test and should only be used on those vehicles that actually need it.

Treworgey 90 said:

Here we go again....

There is no reason why the brakes shouldn't be tested on a 2 wheel rig.
All that is required is to ensure that the centre diff lock is disengaged (if fitted), the VCU to be in working order and for the rollers not to exceed 5 Km/Hr, which they don't.
My Defender (and many other 4 x 4 vehicles) has been tested many times on a 2 wheel rig with no problem.

Either the Tester hasn't got a clue or he's afraid that the VCU might be fooked and he doesn't want to risk any further damage. If VOSA knew what he was doing, they wouldn't be happy because a Tapley meter test is very inferior to a proper brake test and should only be used on those vehicles that actually need it.

Click to expand...

Ah, cheers for the reply. I was trying to understand why they couldn't do it. Also he made a specific point that it was only Rangies and Freelanders which was why I was thinking viscous coupling,

Funny, as they do most of the MOT work for the local Landy specialist so you'd expect them to know them a bit better than most!

Anyway, he passed so I'm happy. Wasn't worried about the brakes anyway as they were all done recently.

Guy

Treworgey 90 said:

Here we go again....

There is no reason why the brakes shouldn't be tested on a 2 wheel rig.
All that is required is to ensure that the centre diff lock is disengaged (if fitted), the VCU to be in working order and for the rollers not to exceed 5 Km/Hr, which they don't.
My Defender (and many other 4 x 4 vehicles) has been tested many times on a 2 wheel rig with no problem.

Either the Tester hasn't got a clue or he's afraid that the VCU might be fooked and he doesn't want to risk any further damage. If VOSA knew what he was doing, they wouldn't be happy because a Tapley meter test is very inferior to a proper brake test and should only be used on those vehicles that actually need it.

Click to expand...

Its just lazy, mine does the same.

kooky_guy said:

Ah, cheers for the reply. I was trying to understand why they couldn't do it. Also he made a specific point that it was only Rangies and Freelanders which was why I was thinking viscous coupling,

Funny, as they do most of the MOT work for the local Landy specialist so you'd expect them to know them a bit better than most!

Anyway, he passed so I'm happy. Wasn't worried about the brakes anyway as they were all done recently.

Guy

Click to expand...

here we go again

the mot tester cant do it on a freelander because if he presses too hard
on the pedal his foot might go through the floor and the water gets in
then the doors fall off

Some do, some don't. If everything is working as it should on the car then there shouldn't be a problem.
Fun starts when viscous coupling is seized or you can't get the transfer box lever out of high as it hasn't been moved since it left the factory & has seized!
MOT UK car and vehicle MOT information equipment car servicing parts and spares - brake performance
Not worth getting upset about.