What is an MOT? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

benhogan · #1 06-28-2010, 02:48 PM

Obviously, I've been watching Wheeler Dealers.

What is MOT? It sounds like an inspection of some kind but it seems to be more than that?

LUVMBDiesels · #2 06-28-2010, 02:54 PM

The Ministry of Transport test (usually abbreviated to MOT test) is an annual test of automobile safety, roadworthiness aspects and exhaust emissions which are applicable to most vehicles over three years old in the United Kingdom if they are used on public roads.
The name derives from the Ministry of Transport,[1] a defunct Government department which was one of several ancestors of the current Department for Transport, but is still officially used. The MOT test certificates are currently issued in Great Britain under the auspices of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), an agency within the Department for Transport. Certificates in Northern Ireland are issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).
Many local car repair garages throughout Great Britain are authorised to perform testing and to issue certificates. In Northern Ireland tests are performed exclusively at the DVA's own test centres.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOT_test

ah-kay · #3 06-28-2010, 03:01 PM

The MOT is a scam. It is not objective like smog test ( even that is a scam-ish ) which is done with equipment. Part of MOT test is subjective as it check for rust. How to you determine structural rust and non structural rust? It is all subjective. They poked the car and it may look worse after the test.

I hated it when I was living in UK.

Stretch · #4 06-28-2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

The MOT is a scam. It is not objective like smog test ( even that is a scam-ish ) which is done with equipment. Part of MOT test is subjective as it check for rust. How to you determine structural rust and non structural rust? It is all subjective. They poked the car and it may look worse after the test.

I hated it when I was living in UK.

They did for a while in the late 1990's bring in new rules that were more in line with EU directives - the UK is probably one of the countries who actually heed these but that's another story. At one point they were saying no rust with in a certain distance from a structural point which meant a lot of failures. I think things have settled down a bit now (although I no longer live there) judging by the state of some of the cars on the road!

DieselPaul · #5 06-28-2010, 03:20 PM

I kind of like the idea of an MOT, it means used cars with say a years MOT remaining probably aren't huge pieces of crap. MOT inspects the brakes, suspension, etc. On the other hand to make your car legal you have to keep in good shape, so it can be expensive. Though if the Top Gear "Cheap Car Challenges" have taught me anything giant piles have somehow gotten MOTs.

fruitmeister420 · #6 06-28-2010, 04:06 PM

a butterfly like insect

ah-kay · #7 06-28-2010, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselPaul

it means used cars with say a years MOT remaining probably aren't huge pieces of crap.

This is one of the reasons I think MOT is a scam. Most people feel more comfortable to buy a car with new 1 year's MOT, myself included at the time. The problem is that most car lots, including shady ones, do MOT under the SAME roof. Their cars always pass the MOT. It may have been changed now and make them independent of each other but I do not know. Also I only went to MOT place that do NOT do repair, that means they have no vested interest to fail you.

Murkybenz · #8 06-28-2010, 04:45 PM

No rust perforations within 12 inches of a structural member if I remember correct.

Any repairs to the above must be seam welded,so it can only be tacked on and sealer applied before they see it,and that only applies to vehicles obviously made before they changed the rules to include seam welding.

Head light adjustment oh its never ending.

But it is all good but expensive for us over here in the Uk.

I had a holiday in San Antonio for a fortnight about 5 years ago and during that time travelled up to Jacksonville,I was quite horrified by a lot of the vehicles and the state they were in,they would not be allowed on the roads here and the owners would be fined heavily.

The funniest thing I have ever seen was in Texas and it was a small Honda being driven by a teenager,he had reversed the wheels around so they stuck out of the arches about 4 inches and every time he hit a bump the wheels locked up on the arches as the suspension compressed.

Below is an mot inspection check list.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MOT%20Inspection%20Checklist%20%28VT%2040%29.pdf

odie · #9 06-28-2010, 06:27 PM

it's a Brit test. Kinda like our state "safety" inspections. Haynes UK 124 manual ( i couldn't find a US 124 repair manual) has info on it.

Alastair · #10 06-29-2010, 07:58 AM

Used to be MOT Tester a few years ago.....

Here you go, Testable items, reason for failure (rejection) and explainations-

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual/contents.htm

vstech · #11 06-29-2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murkybenz

No rust perforations within 12 inches of a structural member if I remember correct.

Any repairs to the above must be seam welded,so it can only be tacked on and sealer applied before they see it,and that only applies to vehicles obviously made before they changed the rules to include seam welding.

Head light adjustment oh its never ending.

But it is all good but expensive for us over here in the Uk.

I had a holiday in San Antonio for a fortnight about 5 years ago and during that time travelled up to Jacksonville,I was quite horrified by a lot of the vehicles and the state they were in,they would not be allowed on the roads here and the owners would be fined heavily.

The funniest thing I have ever seen was in Texas and it was a small Honda being driven by a teenager,he had reversed the wheels around so they stuck out of the arches about 4 inches and every time he hit a bump the wheels locked up on the arches as the suspension compressed.

Below is an mot inspection check list.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MOT%20Inspection%20Checklist%20%28VT%2040%29.pdf

I find it odd that a british test would specify inches of distance for clearance to rust... ain't you brits all metric over there?

alabbasi · #12 06-29-2010, 09:49 AM

The MOT is a very thorough safety inspection that pretty much covers all parts of a car that is over 3 years old in the UK.

It certainly is a very valid test and unlike most inspections in US states and you can tell a lot about a car by putting it through an MOT.

It's not as subjective or as dishonest as one would have you think. While i'm sure that there are a few dishonest MOT testers out there. These guys are licensed and it takes a lot of money to get the license and the equipment in order to open an MOT station.

Everything can be considered a little subjective if there is a human involved but the guidelines are quite clear. So on a small item, one tester might pass the car and notify you that something needs to be changed, and another will fail it and tell you to change it. As far as dishonesty goes, it would be rare that a testing station would risk their license so that they can sell you a cheap banger with a bent MOT.

The biggest killer of old cars in the UK is rust, most engines have plenty of life in them before they fail the MOT but the body will be shot. Most of the people that I know on this forum will have nothing to fear as their 30 year old cars have more new parts in them then most 5 year old cars.

vstech · #13 06-29-2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

Most of the people that I know on this forum will have nothing to fear as their 30 year old cars have more new parts in them then most 5 year old cars.

hmmm. I think my 28 year old SD has new brake shoes in it... do they count?