I have a strong suspicion that a car I test-drove recently has not had a proper MOT. Supposedly had an MOT a month ago (no advisories), but the front suspension is making clunking noises when going over bumps and there is uneven tire wear. There were also a few other things (CV joint boot split) which unless it happened after the MOT would have been a fail or at least an advisory. Do I report this to DVSA?
Ghost MOT
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I could be wrong, but given the MOT test was a month ago, the DVSA would need proof that nothing had changed since the MOT.
@JonRGV250 might have some insight.
@JonRGV250 might have some insight.
Just because it's clunking doesn't always mean it'll get picked up by the tester, and a lot of those type of noises require the car to be driven to find them (using clip on mic's), and can't be found with the car on the ramp.
Uneven tyre wear isn't a fail, or an advisory..
If a CV boot is split enough to let in dirt etc, then yes it's a fail (providing it was split at time of test), but if it split after the test, it should have been at least advised that it was deteriorated..
As for ghost MOT's, the DVSA have trailed MOT stations taking a photo of the car at the station and uploading it before the test is carried out.
Along with ANPR this is designed to stop testers sitting at home and passing cars that may be at the other end of the country.
This should be going live for all stations soon.
Also bear in mind..
Appeal deadlines
You need to email the form within:- 14 working days of the test if you’re appealing against a fail
- 3 months of the test if you’re appealing against a pass and it’s a corrosion-related problem
- 28 calendar days of the test if you’re appealing against a pass and it’s any other type of problem
Stick the car on full lock and take a pic of the CV boot, I'll soon tell you if it's a fail or not.
This is not an appeal. I don't own the car. I'll see what the DVSA says as they may have received similar reports from the same MOT testing station.
The CV joint is split but you can't prove it was split at the time of the test.
The uneven tyre ware should have been at least an advisory as tread it's 2mm at most and definitely <1.6mmm in the inner third.
The CV joint is split but you can't prove it was split at the time of the test.
The uneven tyre ware should have been at least an advisory as tread it's 2mm at most and definitely <1.6mmm in the inner third.
Unless you want to actually appeal an MOT the DVSA won’t do or say anything.
Why would they?
We will have to see but I expect they can use that info especially if concerns have been raised previously.
What info?
They need proof before going after a testing station, and they don’t have any.
They are chronically understaffed and are light years behind with their 1 or 3 year basic station checks as it is.
It took them a month just to authorise our new testing station.
They need proof before going after a testing station, and they don’t have any.
They are chronically understaffed and are light years behind with their 1 or 3 year basic station checks as it is.
It took them a month just to authorise our new testing station.
Soldato
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1. Creates a thread about MOT
2. Receives an excellent, in depth reply from an actual MOT tester
3. Ignores and starts to argue with expert
Welcome to classic OCUK.
2. Receives an excellent, in depth reply from an actual MOT tester
3. Ignores and starts to argue with expert
Welcome to classic OCUK.
From the official source
www.gov.uk
"You can report an MOT tester or centre to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you think they’re breaking the law. This includes if they are:
Report an MOT tester
Find out if you can report an MOT tester or centre for fraud, how to report them (including without giving your name), and what will happen next.
"You can report an MOT tester or centre to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you think they’re breaking the law. This includes if they are:
- giving an MOT certificate to a vehicle they know should have failed
- giving an MOT certificate to a vehicle they have not tested
- taking bribes for MOT certificates
I should imagine most people who get their car through an MOT wouldn't bother trying to go after the MOT station that passed it.
Potential buyers would though, especially if there is a chance that the dealer is involved.
Potential buyers should be doing their own evaluation.
If the dealer is selling unroadworthy cars, then this is for Trading Standards.
An MOT tester isn't going to spot everything wrong on the thousands of vehicles they test every year. It is simply a safety net, and we should expect some to fall through.
DVSA aren't trading standards. You've just blamed the MOT tester instead of the dealer selling the car.
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