Ghost MOT

[Drangueos]

Well it did happen to my track car, done the MOT and the CV boot split on the same or next day... because I've noticed it 2 days later.

 

[InkZ]

Maybe you should put the boot in?

 

[Django x2]

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?

An MOT check is simply a visual inspection. There is no requirement for a garage to start pushing and pulling suspension bushes or driveshafts unless the problem is easily visible. For that reason alone, a car can easily have a knock in a ball join or control arm bush that won't fail an MOT.

 

[marcus_667]

I have driven cars to tests that have developed issues on the way.... but there is a lot of questionable dealers out there also.

 

[JonRGV250]

An MOT check is simply a visual inspection. There is no requirement for a garage to start pushing and pulling suspension bushes or driveshafts unless the problem is easily visible.

Without wishing to be a smartass, that statement simply isn't true.
If we ignored (not tested) every bush, ball joint etc that didn't look worn we'd fail nothing.
There's a reason we have a pinch and lever bar, and these must be used regardless.

A standard MOT tool board..

 

[muon]

Without wishing to be a smartass, that statement simply isn't true.
If we ignored (not tested) every bush, ball joint etc that didn't look worn we'd fail nothing.
There's a reason we have a pinch and lever bar, and these must be used regardless.

A standard MOT tool board..

What do you do when there is an cover on the undercarriage?

I think it very much is visual, i.e. only test what is visible.

Now I appreciate visual means literally not touching anything, but I think we know what the poster meant i.e. they didn't mean the car isn't touched.

 

[VRDoctor]

Edited - quoted incorrect post.

 

[VRDoctor]

What do you do when there is an cover on the undercarriage?

I think it very much is visual, i.e. only test what is visible.

Now I appreciate visual means literally not touching anything, but I think we know what the poster meant i.e. they didn't mean the car isn't touched.

Undertrays typically don't cover suspension mountings (except possibly inner roll bar bushes).

 

[JonRGV250]

What do you do when there is an cover on the undercarriage?

All suspension components are still visible and mainly accessible with lever bars, and bear in mind when the car is jacked up and the suspension is "hanging" (and lock to lock) there's access to pretty much everything, plus I also use a bigger version of a dentists mirror to check for broken coil/leaf springs etc where visibility is restricted.
And if I can't get a lever in there to check play I use the shaker plates to check play in bushings, ball joints etc.
There really isn't much you can't physically test.

I think it very much is visual, i.e. only test what is visible.

My point, or at least the point I was trying to make was against this..

"There is no requirement for a garage to start pushing and pulling suspension bushes or driveshafts unless the problem is easily visible"

To be fair I'm not quite sure what the poster meant by "problem" as it's a safety check not a diagnosis session to find knocking noises etc.
A suspension arm bush can look perfectly ok, but get a bar in there and you can find that the bonding is defective and there's a massive amount of play in it and it's a failure.
Because something looks ok doesn't mean one doesn't test it.
But yes, in general, if something is covered up ie a sill has a plastic guard on it, then it's hard to check for corrosion or whatnot.