Freelander 1 Spanish MOT

My 2004 TD4 is due an MOT next week, which here in Spain is a drive through affair.
When it comes to the brake test, the front wheels are dropped on to a roller while the rear wheels remain on the ground, without spinning. The rears are then dropped onto the roller to be tested while the front axle remains on the ground without spinning.
With my basic knowledge of the Freelander 4x4 system, isn't this going to place various transmission components (IRD, VCU and diff) under a lot of stress and potentially cause damage?
At one previous test I was asked if the car was 4x4 and a dolly was placed under one rear wheel while the front brakes were tested but the dolly was not placed under a front wheel while the rears were tested.
Any thoughts and comments appreciated.

This has been discussed at various times - but I can't remember what the final thoughts of those discussions were! You might be able to search and find the discussions.

I'd have thought it a no no and shouldn't be tested like that - primarily because it can't be good for the car and secondly it won't give accurate results!

I have had a quick search and opinion seems to be divided.
If I can persuade the tester to to put one wheel on the not tested axle in a dolley that allows that wheel to rotate, will that stop any damage being caused?

Jonny H said:

I have had a quick search and opinion seems to be divided.
If I can persuade the tester to to put one wheel on the not tested axle in a dolley that allows that wheel to rotate, will that stop any damage being caused?

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The Freelander MUST be tested on a road test with a suitable decelerometer , generally called a Tapley Brake Meter. This is the only LR approved method for testing the brakes. It is possible to lift the rear while testing the front brakes on rollers and reverse the procedure for rear brake testing. Testing just 2 wheels while the other wheels are on the floor could potentially damage the IRD or rear Diff as well as give an incorrect brake reading.
You can also remove the propshafts to free up the 4X4 system, if removal doesn't cause a fail.

Thanks Nodge. For clarity, if I can get the tester to put one wheel on a dolley to allow that wheel to spin while the other axle is being brake tested, that should be OK?
If not, I'll have to drop the propshafts prior to the MOT.
Quick bottom ball joint question while I'm here. Is it easier to grind the rivets and change the ball joint only or change the whole bottom arm?

Lifting a rear wheel while the fronts are on the rollers would be ok. As would lifting a front while the rear wheels are on the roller.

I replace the lower arms to be honest. It is possible to replace just the ball joints buy grinding the rivets off and punching out. I don't bother though as the bush is often on its last legs anyway.

Cheers Nodge. Good advice as always.