Why do cars go all wrong round MOT time?

Le_Petit_Lapin · 12 Oct 2009 at 16:53

I swear its jinxed, my car has been fine all year until last Friday, when the wee ABS light turned itself on the dash. I thought I could leave it and it would be fine, after all my last car has no ABS and they passed it.

But no I discovered today that if ABS is fitted and connected, it has to work correctly, So yeah, it'll be off to the dealers to get that fixed tomorrow. Heres hoping I've just crushed/worn a wire or whatever.

Anyway, today I took it up to get new tyres on it, the back ones weren't going to pass, and while the chap had the car up on the ramp, he cheerfully tells me that he's discovered that my shock absorbers have busted seals, and I'll be needing them done for my MOT.

So I ring the dealer again today, explain to them what the craic is now. "So that'll be the ABS and the shocks you'll want fixed tomorrow sir?" the guy enquires, I can almost imagine his wee eyes lighting up at the thought of their labour charge. But no, unfortunately the main VW dealer doesn't apparently bother keeping any shock absorbers in stock, and I'll have to wait a few days for them to arrive.

So, looks like my day tomorrow isa spent twiddling my thumbs in VW waiting for them to fix the ABS, and then trying to find somewhere that has my shocks or suitable in stock and persuading them that they want to fit them then and there for me.

I hate cars at times.

Duke · 12 Oct 2009 at 16:55

What car & how old? How come you're taking it to the dealer?

antijoke · 12 Oct 2009 at 16:55

How do you know if the shocks are leaking? Is it as simple to see fluid leaking out of them?

I have my MOT due next month and am dreading it, for the same reason you mentioned, the MOT jinx.

Dr Who · 12 Oct 2009 at 16:56

Murphys law mate, you can guarantee when it is important, whatever can go wrong, will go wrong....

Confused · 12 Oct 2009 at 16:59

Normally they "go wrong" at MOT time because for most, it's the only time their car ever gets looked at by anyone half-qualified.

Le_Petit_Lapin · 12 Oct 2009 at 17:00

Duke said:
What car & how old? How come you're taking it to the dealer?

2001 Polo. None of the wee garages or Mr fixit types that me or my dad knows either want to do it, or are not able to fit it in tomorrow.

anticonscience said:
How do you know if the shocks are leaking? Is it as simple to see fluid leaking out of them?

Yeah, its pretty bloody obvious once the tyre is off. Fluid covering it. I have considered taking my car in for a car wash right before the MOT, and hoping the water hides it, but I doubt it'll work. It'd just fail on that bouncy platform bit that tests the shocks. Dunno if the procedure is the same in England, here we have government run places solely for MOT tests, so they're usually picky little jobsworths.

Emlyn_Dewar · 12 Oct 2009 at 17:04

For me, the car hasn't gone all wrong round MOT time, it's just that I put the work off figuring it could be done at another time.
It's a terrible way to run a vehicle I know but... Live and learn.

<Dubz> · 12 Oct 2009 at 17:21

Confused said:
Normally they "go wrong" at MOT time because for most, it's the only time their car ever gets looked at by anyone half-qualified.

Very true, had my 2003 cooper S MOT'd a few weeks ago but apart from a number plate bulb gone all was well.

My previous Pug106 gti had to have early MOT's, owned the car for 10 years from new and after about 6-7 years it would need major work everytime, mostly exaust / suspension issues.

Le_Petit_Lapin · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:33

Useless bloody day this was, ABS still not fixed, needs a speed sensor, and it needed ordered in too.

My as well take it on down to the MOT tomorrow anyway seeing as I've paid for it already and they need 1 working day notice if you want to change your appointment. See if he finds anything else wrong with the car.

DB_SamX · 14 Oct 2009 at 10:42

Ever thought about it the other way round?

E.g. Statistics have showed that it takes around 12 months for something to start going wrong in a car, so someone decided to make the MOT an annual thing (as opposed to 6/18/24 months) to make sure people get it fixed.