Shonky MOT???

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
S

Steve_R1979

Active Member
Posts
634
Location
Horsham, West Sussex
I took my RRC to a local specialist for its MOT 3 or 4 weeks ago.

They welded up the sill as I asked them too, and I got the car back with a nice new MOT certificate.

On the way home the alternator gave up, I suspect because of the welding work, although I cannot prove it.

On a more worrying note, the brake light bulb was blown when I took the car in and it came back with the same bulb blown. In addition, I have always been aware of the smell of petrol from the back of the car, but I put it down to running rich, however while I was under it today with the blowlamp I noticed the underneath of the tank was dripping with petrol.

How the hell did this car get an MOT?????

Did it even go to a test centre???

I won't be using my local "specialist" again I don't think. Really not impressed.
 
Steve_R1979 said:
I took my RRC to a local specialist for its MOT 3 or 4 weeks ago.

They welded up the sill as I asked them too, and I got the car back with a nice new MOT certificate.

On the way home the alternator gave up, I suspect because of the welding work, although I cannot prove it.

On a more worrying note, the brake light bulb was blown when I took the car in and it came back with the same bulb blown. In addition, I have always been aware of the smell of petrol from the back of the car, but I put it down to running rich, however while I was under it today with the blowlamp I noticed the underneath of the tank was dripping with petrol.

How the hell did this car get an MOT?????

Did it even go to a test centre???

I won't be using my local "specialist" again I don't think. Really not impressed.
Click to expand...


If it's that serious I'd be making a call to VOSA; you may have got off lightly....shoddy or maybe even "ghost" MOT could easily kill someone ffs!!
 
Yeah, as above, you can appeal an MoT pass, but there's a few things you must do. One of them is to stop using the car and not make any further repairs to it.
 
Steve_R1979 said:
I took my RRC to a local specialist for its MOT 3 or 4 weeks ago.

They welded up the sill as I asked them too, and I got the car back with a nice new MOT certificate.

On the way home the alternator gave up, I suspect because of the welding work, although I cannot prove it.

On a more worrying note, the brake light bulb was blown when I took the car in and it came back with the same bulb blown. In addition, I have always been aware of the smell of petrol from the back of the car, but I put it down to running rich, however while I was under it today with the blowlamp I noticed the underneath of the tank was dripping with petrol.

How the hell did this car get an MOT?????

Did it even go to a test centre???

I won't be using my local "specialist" again I don't think. Really not impressed.
Click to expand...

Maybe the tank only leaks when filled to a certain level. That could easily be missed if tank was below that level. Maybe it's something you should have looked at a long time ago. We know technically it should be, but do you really want a fail certificate and retest for a blown number plate lamp, if the holder is in good condition? If you know you have a petrol smell from your Rangie and have had for some time. Going under it with a blowlamp is a really bad idea don't you think. It must have gone to the test centre, all is done by computer these days, you cannot issue a certificate without logging on to VOSA. Someone has been reasonable with you regarding the bulb, don't knock it. There are plenty who would have failed it and charged you a retest fee.
 
No your right, I shouldn't have been under it with a blow lamp. I just assumed that as it had past its MOT all was well.

It worries me that something so obvious was missed. I take your point that it might only happen with the fuel at certain levels, but I took the car in with a full tank, so no excuses really.
 
Steve_R1979 said:
No your right, I shouldn't have been under it with a blow lamp. I just assumed that as it had past its MOT all was well.

It worries me that something so obvious was missed. I take your point that it might only happen with the fuel at certain levels, but I took the car in with a full tank, so no excuses really.
Click to expand...

Well seeing as how you have had the petrol smell for a while then you may have some sort of point. But think about it, it is highly unlikely unless the bloke that welded the sill had a death wish, that it was leaking at the time. One spark from the Mig and BOOM. But you do what you think you have to do.
 
wammers said:
Well seeing as how you have had the petrol smell for a while then you may have some sort of point. But think about it, it is highly unlikely unless the bloke that welded the sill had a death wish, that it was leaking at the time. One spark from the Mig and BOOM. But you do what you think you have to do.
Click to expand...

True enough.

I'm not going down the VOSA route, but I will be having a chat with the guy who owns the company that did the work.

Guess I'll be dropping the tank then!!!
 
An MOT has never been proof that all is well, for starters there are many bits on a car thet the MOT doesnt cover.
There can be several reasons why there were no obvious signs of fuel leakage during the short time of the test.
Why did you send the car in for an MOT knowing there was a blown bulb - did you want it to fail or do you just prefer to pay a premuim for someone else to change the bulb. There arent many easier jobs on a Range Rover..
I would be so frustrated with myself if mine failed the MOT on a blown bulb. I've been shown a lot of understanding over the years by my local MOT centre and am grateful for it, thats not to say its a bad place, its actually excellent. They are neither josworths nor looking for work - just fair...
 
Steve Ashworth said:
An MOT has never been proof that all is well, for starters there are many bits on a car thet the MOT doesnt cover.
There can be several reasons why there were no obvious signs of fuel leakage during the short time of the test.
Why did you send the car in for an MOT knowing there was a blown bulb - did you want it to fail or do you just prefer to pay a premuim for someone else to change the bulb. There arent many easier jobs on a Range Rover..
I would be so frustrated with myself if mine failed the MOT on a blown bulb. I've been shown a lot of understanding over the years by my local MOT centre and am grateful for it, thats not to say its a bad place, its actually excellent. They are neither josworths nor looking for work - just fair...
Click to expand...


I sent it to the specialist with the instructions of "go over it, do any repair work needed for the MOT and get it passed". I know its an easy job and no, normally I'm not so lazy!!!!
 
Steve_R1979 said:
I took my RRC to a local specialist for its MOT 3 or 4 weeks ago.

They welded up the sill as I asked them too, and I got the car back with a nice new MOT certificate.

On the way home the alternator gave up, I suspect because of the welding work, although I cannot prove it.

On a more worrying note, the brake light bulb was blown when I took the car in and it came back with the same bulb blown. In addition, I have always been aware of the smell of petrol from the back of the car, but I put it down to running rich, however while I was under it today with the blowlamp I noticed the underneath of the tank was dripping with petrol.

How the hell did this car get an MOT?????

Did it even go to a test centre???

I won't be using my local "specialist" again I don't think. Really not impressed.
Click to expand...

you are not the only one to have a dodgy m.o.t,this new m.o.t test was supposed to do away with rogue m.o.t'd vehicles,but it seems not so.
i like my vehicles to be m.o.t'd fairly,not just bang it through because they know me,i like to know my vehicle is safe,might be worth mentioning to vosa.
 
The only points you raise are suspected fuel tank leakage and a blown bulb. As Wammers said, highly unlikely fuel was leaking badly when being welded! Are you sure it is petrol dripping as it's survided welding and a blowlamp so far. Also if it's fuel and constantly leaking you would have seen fuel stains where you park - it's pretty distinctive? I have a series IIa that had a fuel tank leak that was not always visible and could not be distinguished if out on wet roads.
Also had a bulb issue on my P38 - bulb failure warning on dash - however when I got out to look it was working. It was intermittent.
From what's been said nothing major has been proven yet so it does seems a bit drastic contacting VOSA as an initial response. No wonder so many testing stations can be so bloody unreasonable - and before you say it I am not condoning the use of or passing of unsafe vehicles.
 
an mot is not absolute proof vehicle is perfect it obviously wasnt showing signs of a leak as has been said otherwise they wouldnt have welded sill ,there not allowed or have the time to check vehicle fully and some of you want to make some poor guys life hell ,why didnt you warn him about petrol smell it is not unknown for fuel pipes to rot ,alternator probably coincidence it is very rare for welding to effect it ,what surprise me is that they let these old vehicles on the road still as theres plenty in the car industry that only want newer cars on road and to stiffen mot so that most of us would be ****ed
 
Steve_R1979 said:
I sent it to the specialist with the instructions of "go over it, do any repair work needed for the MOT and get it passed". I know its an easy job and no, normally I'm not so lazy!!!!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be going down the VOSA route without at least giving the guy an opportunity for an explanation : I'd be inclined to go down the "quiet word" route. I think it might stand both you and the garage in good stead in the future.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Kwik Fit say no-no to MoTs on classic?
Replies
19
Views
498
kermit_rr
kermit_rr
MrGorsky
P38A Service Brake right on the MOT limit...
Replies
10
Views
443
roythebus
R
R
TüV problem in Germany
Replies
0
Views
308
roythebus
R
R
L322 4.4tdv8 change oil cooler
Replies
8
Views
298
roythebus
R
alfapat
Vehicle pulls L/Right
Replies
17
Views
645
Anaconda
A
Back
Top