MOTs every two years
Jimmy Connors
Posts: 117,805 Forum Member
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There is a proposal to introduce this for cars.
Do you think it's a good idea? Obviously it'll save the motorist money - but surely there's a catch?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8441028/MoTs-every-two-years-under-proposed-changes-to-system.html
Do you think it's a good idea? Obviously it'll save the motorist money - but surely there's a catch?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8441028/MoTs-every-two-years-under-proposed-changes-to-system.html
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On new cars, maybe. For example, once every 2 years, until the car is 4, and then yearly after that, but only a maybe, I can't decide if that would be beneficial
EDIT: New cars are only MOT`d when they are 3 years old already
Though this of course coming from someone who doesn't have to have an MOT for 2½ years yet.
Remember, the mot is only an on the day thing, the car could do 30,000 miles easily, more in some cases, in 2 years....anything could be wrong with it.
I often get horrified with 20,000 mile service intervals, the condition of brakes on these vehicles sometimes take your breath away, not to mention the condition of tyres.
Some vehicles I see are downright dangerous after not being looked at in 2 years.
I always tell my customers to have at least an inspection every year, but the best thing is a service every year.
I'm sure I will be accused of bias, but seriously, there would be some very unsafe vehicles on the road if this idea becomes the standard.
Off course the driver has the responsibility to only drive a road worthy car but if a mechanic believes something may fail in 12 months they get an advisory or it get's repaired or fails the test, and they can't guaranty something won't fail but is unlikely to fail unless millage or driving style changes you can't account for someone driving with the hand break up or an emergency break making a flat spot on the tires.
I think this says it all really.
"The MoT test costs just over £50 but it can easily increase to £200 or more with tyre replacement and repairs for wear and tear, such as brake discs. "
Only way round it is too leave it to the discretion of the last MOT checker who could give the approval for the current owner to go back in 2 yearsif the car is in good nick and the person seems to know about cars.
MOT people can and do/should advise on what may need doing etc.
Any doubt about the owner, make em come back every year though.
Not going to happen anyway. Its not even a new story, its been talked about for the last 4 years.....
Most people don't bother checking things like that, even if they know how to.
Absolutely - I brought a second hand car recently that had just passed its MOT. Had a flat a couple of weeks later and all the tyres were right on the edge of legality, so I don't even want to think what state they could be in if they were declared "safe" for a further 2 years :eek:
Too many people rely on only the mot and see it as a ticket to not have to worry about things for the next year this shouldnt be the case the mot doesn't check everything and there very limited to what they can and can't do.
I've seen a car pass its brake efficiency tests with no material on its front pads it was just metal on metal.
Also if the tester isn't paying attention then they can miss stuff as well it really is a fairly basic test
My MOT test is a goveremnt fixed 30.50 but advisories are not given out in the goverment (N.I) test centres
Really when did you last have your car up on a ramp and look at the ball joints whilst loaded and unloaded, check your wheel bearings, suspension bushes, CV and rack gaitors, exhaust for blows condition, corrosion.
Haven't read the article, 4 years is too long.
The Old Bill don't look for anything more than tyres, lights and obviously blowing exhausts, in my experience and that's traffic officers too.
Traffic coppers aren't what they used to be.
Last weekend actually, but then I do collect and repair classic cars. Although it was only a straightforward install of a new complete exhaust system this time and nothing too complicated.
BIB about the strength of it, service, MOT and ignore unless something goes wrong.
I'm pretty much the same and I twirl the spanners myself, currently ripping the cylinder head off one of my cars.
The brakes need stripping cleaning and re-greasing though, but I only know that because it's got alloy wheels.
Who else is seriously going to do the same, because you know that's what's required to do a proper job.
Even Haynes manuals aren't what they used to be, because people don't do as much themselves as they used to.
I know a lot more people still do self servicing in the US, there's a company that rents garage facilities too, ramp space, fluid draining and recovery, etc, can't remember the name now.
Cars are better made theses days, the braking systems more efficient, rust bucket cars are things of the 1980s, only something like 1% of accidents ( or is it fatalities ? ) are caused DIRECTLY by faulty cars.
Cars are better made theses days, the braking systems more efficient, rust bucket cars are things of the 1980s, only something like 1% of accidents ( or is it fatalities ? ) are caused DIRECTLY by faulty cars.