New lift/ramps with built in MOT wheel shaking plates.

[retrogeezer]

.When I took the Pic for it's MOT the other day the place I use have just had a new ramp fitted with these plates the wheels sit in and they just press a button and it shakes the wheels all over the place instead of a person doing it.  

 

Anyone else seen them in use? They were really violent and although the Pic passed o.k I don't think the Escorts 30 plus year old rubbers and joints will appreciate it too much, or the rest of the car for that matter! 

[Tamworthbay]

Yup, my mot place has been like that for at least five years but I think it could be as long as eight or nine. The MGB GT was hilarious as the wheel barely seemed to move and the sidewalls of the tyres just flexed in and out. It's nothing compared to driving on a rough road at any speed so don't worry. My old mini, the GT, the dolomite and the Capri have all been through it and none the worse for it.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Standard over here in all the test centres (all government run over here, garages don't do MOT)

 

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[oldcars]

Need to try the Reliant on it 

[retrogeezer]

It was the fact they needed to put chocks on the rear wheels to stop the car shaking itself off the ramp that was a concern as well.....glad to hear they have been in use for a while.  I've never seen them before so a new one on me. 

[They_all_do_that_sir]

https://youtu.be/uNWLa3OWbDc

 

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Three lanes for cars, two further left for PSV. Each car takes around 15 mins start to finish. Like a production line!

 

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[fordperv]

personally have no problem with the shaker plates I'd rather anything that's going to fail on my front suspension show there than whilst on a country lane at warp speed

[Tamworthbay]

Three lanes for cars, two further left for PSV. Each car takes around 15 mins start to finish. Like a production line!

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

It has to be a better way to do it, over here garages are so variable it's scary. I know of one locally where the pass rate is directly dependant on how busy the workshop is and I was told in no uncertain terms that I wasn't welcome back when they found out I do all my own repairs. I am sure a significant number of places are a bit 'flexible' if they need a bit more or less work at the time.

[retrogeezer]

personally have no problem with the shaker plates I'd rather anything that's going to fail on my front suspension show there than whilst on a country lane at warp speed

 

fair point....like I said, just seemed quite violent compared to a human but probably isn't at all. 

[They_all_do_that_sir]

It has to be a better way to do it, over here garages are so variable it's scary. I know of one locally where the pass rate is directly dependant on how busy the workshop is and I was told in no uncertain terms that I wasn't welcome back when they found out I do all my own repairs. I am sure a significant number of places are a bit 'flexible' if they need a bit more or less work at the time.

It can be a wee bit variable depending on inspector, e.g. I know a boy failed for his indicator bulbs not being orange enough, yet I've had the bike passed with a defective tail light - "I'm sure you'll pick up a bulb on the way home mate"

 

The biggest advantage is there is no commercial gain for them to fail a car unfairly.

 

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[They_all_do_that_sir]

https://youtu.be/uPU2p6ntK3g

 

The bike one is interesting, especially the brake test machine. Generally the owner does this bit unless they really don't want to

 

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[BavarianRetro]

MoT testing stations should be in the NI model. Tests only. No repairs. You either test or repair. Not both. And fixed fees with no discounts.

[Eddie Honda]

Aye, like that works. In RoI, if it fails and needs to re-use the lane for retest - humped. So if the headlamp aim is out, then it's bend over at a garage and bend over for a restest fee. No post-test gratis adjustment.

 

Also, testers not immune to taking bungs either. Money in the ashtray, under the mat, etc.

 

It might seem like a good idea to separate the two, but the inconvenience and lack of ability to shop around if the test centre is the only one in the county has it's drawbacks too. Shit waiting times for appointments. Backlogs for tests.

[Laseraligningfoofooflanges]

It has to be a better way to do it, over here garages are so variable it's scary. I know of one locally where the pass rate is directly dependant on how busy the workshop is and I was told in no uncertain terms that I wasn't welcome back when they found out I do all my own repairs. I am sure a significant number of places are a bit 'flexible' if they need a bit more or less work at the time.

Well they sound like a shower of bastards..

[Laseraligningfoofooflanges]

https://youtu.be/uNWLa3OWbDc

 

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

Does like a bit of a game though, Easier just to lob them the keys and get the rap sheet when they phone a couple of hours later.. Looks a bit clinical and when he was telling laddo he couldnt film

 

I go to a local place for my MOT's and there sound tbf, Even though a few lads i know keep saying its better off to go to ''weonlymot'' and the like..

[Kiltox]

Used to only use a place that doesn't do repairs but then F1 Autocentres passed my old 155k mile Scenic without drama so I'm a bit torn now

[320touring]

Council Fleet gagages usually do MOTs and are not allowed to quote for work.

 

always found them fair. Alternatively, MOT only places are also decent- again they have no incentive to 'find' work.

[Richard]

The flipside of garages failing cars to get the work is garages failing cars because they know that the repairs won't get done otherwise.

If you get a car in with child seats and 1.7mm of tread on all the tyres do you pass it because it's legal on the day or fail it because you know the tyres will be illegal from next week right through to the next test.

[Tamworthbay]

I can see your point but it isn't the MOT testers job to,enforce the rules of the road, they should offer an impartial opinion on the car as presented to them. Advisories are there for anything they feel a need to mention. On some classics 1.7mm would last until the next MoT, whereas 4mm on a reps car could be down to the canvas in a couple of months. So where do you draw the line? And that is why they have a limit to work to. What irritates me is that some places are pedantic to drag in work. The MoT place I go to is great, they do work as well but know I do all my own and are happy with it. I have been going there long enough we are on first name terms and I will often gets comments like 'it isn't an issue yet but we know what you are like with your cars so look at X when you get a chance' and they know it will be done the next time they see it. That suits me as I don't want the car to just scrape through the minimum I want it to be mechanically perfect so it doesn't let me down.

[Pillock]

If they fail it with 1.7mm of tread and because there's a child seat in the way, I'd report them to DOOVOSOLA or whatever they're called this week. They're not fails and that would be unfair - next they'd be looking at the MOT history, thinking "oooh this chap does 20k between tests, he's only got 2mm of tread left but that won't last him the year so I'll fail it"

 

Similarly, if you have concerns about that place that passes more or less depending how much work they need, dob them in. It's meant to be a strictly enforced set of rules, not an opinion or a cash generator. I've tried to use Test Only places before and had good results, but sometimes you'd rather turn around and say "you know what mate, fix it for me and retest". Brake pipes and stuff where I've not got the kit, and actually if it's a serious fail I don't want to drive it anywhere. If you use a Test Only place you're screwed.

 

Best idea is a nice friendly garage who does both, but fairly. Our village place is lovely, they'll take the time to explain what the fails and advisories mean if you want them to, never known them fail anything unfairly but they will try and get you a pass on the the day if they can.

They are also typical village business - they'd took down Mrs_Pillock's phone number wrong so couldn't let her know the car was ready. They then phoned around a few people until someone had my number and got hold of me instead

[fordperv]

the place I use are great, they are banger racers, fantastic lads who know there older stuff, they know i do all my own work, when the tca bushes on brand new arms were too soft on my saph the tester went searching through his toolbox for some polybushes that he thought he had to give me