How much shite is too much shite? Winter is coming so I bought the ultimate de-icer!

16,140 · January 10

On 10/01/2025 at 22:48, Barry Cade said:

3 testers, 3 tests. 1 car getting pre checks, 1 on the ramp, 1 on the emissions test. It was like synchronised swimming, and worked very well. No time limit on tests, VOSA were quite happy with the way it worked. No repairs at all. Not even a bulb. We did motorbikes too. Some Saturday mornings were just all bikes.

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If Henry Ford did MOT's! Sounds great, if you can keep it coming.

17,501 · January 10

On 10/01/2025 at 23:27, High Jetter said:

If Henry Ford did MOT's! Sounds great, if you can keep it coming.

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It never stopped. Business is still going, but much quieter now. A few garages in the area closed as well as the Land Rover dealer, who put a lot of tests our way. Business is for sale.. but the owner is in his 80's!

7,480 · January 11

On 10/01/2025 at 23:40, Barry Cade said:

It never stopped. Business is still going, but much quieter now. A few garages in the area closed as well as the Land Rover dealer, who put a lot of tests our way. Business is for sale.. but the owner is in his 80's!

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How long ago was this?As I see it,the three testers were doing nine tests an hour,down for doing three each.Bloody hell!Must admit at my place, they're very laid back.Seems to take longer to do the "paperwork" than the actual testing.

27,711 · January 11

I recall mr Saabnut told me about the MOT testing when I sold the SLK to him in early November.

However I still looked at this thread thinking "ooh, career change? I wonder what?"

That's how good my short term memory is sometimes. I'm great at keeping secrets because I usually just forget...

5,864 · January 11

On 10/01/2025 at 19:39, Saabnut said:

You need 4 years on the tools to become a tester, 13 years owning a garage and being employed as a mechanic many many years ago was acceptable.

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Interesting.

What proof did they need for this?

19,017 · January 11

On 11/01/2025 at 16:39, N Dentressangle said:

Interesting.

What proof did they need for this?

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No proof was requested, but they test your knowledge before the course and it would become obvious very quickly if you were telling fibs.

12,239 · January 11

On 11/01/2025 at 17:35, Saabnut said:

No proof was requested, but they test your knowledge before the course and it would become obvious very quickly if you were telling fibs.

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As an aside, for my recent interview for a similar(ish) position, I was given an eight-page test on my knowledge of the subject matter. With no formal qualifications in the chosen field, it took me seven minutes to complete (and yes, I checked my answers twice). Apparently, the chap holding the interview said that they had moved the competency test to the end of the interview because so many were thrown by the test that they stuffed up the interview.

The background checks seem to be a little stricter for me though... ;-)

Thread hijack over.

17,501 · January 11

I did an MOT testers entry test instead of having other qualifications, as my City and Guilds is in Light Vehicle Body Repair.. I had been a mechanic for over 4 years though. The test was pretty intense.. asking about Ackerman angles, how to jack various suspension types, etc etc. Not mainstream general knowledge.

, The criteria to become a tester are in the testing manual:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-testing-guide/e-tester

In the old days when I started testing, there were no computers, you had to haul the books out to check stuff. Woe betide you if the examiner came in and you didn't know stuff off the top of your head. You were allowed to check but it was frowned upon.

Some sample questions to test ya!

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-tester-annual-assessment-sample-questions/mot-tester-annual-assessment-sample-questions

I often get asked to get back into it, and get offered a decent wage for it... but no thanks.

Good Luck Saabnut!

17,501 · January 11

Just went on to the testers login page. I can still access even though im not testing anymore- it lists the UK average for stuff..

Class 3,4 ,5 and 7 . National average age of a vehicle is 11 years, average test time is 44 minutes , average tests done in a month is 38 and 72% pass rate.

I was class 1 and 2 as well.

I used to hate January when it was the handwritten certificates, as I'd always forget to put in the new year. This was a hassle as you had to cancel the certificate, in duplicate, write a new certificate and then file the spoiled certificate for 5 years.. All in your best handwriting!

25 years of testing and had 1 appeal. Mk 1 Focus brake pipes which I failed. Vosa came in and retested the car and the pipe bust on the rollers. Phew! Really makes you sweat when you are under scrutiny. Never got any points or warnings. Never going back.

2,328 · February 1

On 10/01/2025 at 18:32, Saabnut said:

OK I can admit it all now As most know, I retired from the oil industry last February after 35 years offshore. Since then I have been enjoying retirement but having to be fiscally prudent! In autumn last year I was talking to a friend from my off road club days and he mentioned he was about to set up an MOT test centre that would not do repairs in Forfar and he said if things worked out he could use an additional tester from time to time. As I have no interest in full time work nor being committed for long periods, this set the grey cells rolling. In November I went to Northampton for a week and completed an MOT testers course at MOTExpert. Hard work but enjoyable, and then of course Christmas and New Year got in the way.

This morning I passed my final "Observed Test" with DVLA so I am now a fully qualified and authorised class 4 and class 7 tester! To help out my friend and to build up experience I will be doing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Forfar Technical Services (Expert Class 7 MOT Testing Services) for the near future. If you live nearby, pop in and say hello or if you need an MOT go to the site and book it in!

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Out of interest how much was the week long tester's course?

19,017 · February 2

On 01/02/2025 at 23:26, auntiemaryscanary said:

Out of interest how much was the week long tester's course?

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The course at MOTexpert includes the initial (one day course) Level 3 certificate that you need to do the testers course which takes the remaining 4 days. It also includes accommodation in a company house which was to a very high standard for the Sunday to Thursday nights inclusive. The total cost was £1100 but I believe it has gone up to £1200 now.

19,017 · February 9

Having determined that I have too many cars and not enough undercover space, I decided to do something about it. The choice was get rid of some cars, or make more space and of course there is only one correct answer to this! There is a slightly delapidated tin barn adjacent to my place which when I moved here 40+ years ago, was used for storing straw and the floor was entirely covered with paletts to keep the straw off the ground. Over the years I had moved some of the paletts to use some of the space. Recently ownership transferred to me by various nefarious means :-) so I have spent the last 4 weekends removing very rotten paletts riddled with woodworm and burning them.

As a result I have some extra storage which means I have room to work in my shed again. I still have too many cars but at least there is less rush to do something about it!

19,017 · February 12

The man from the Ministry has just left and the upshot is I am now a fully qualified and approved Class 5 MOT tester So if any shiters have a minibus they need testing.....

That gives me Classes 4, 5 and 7. That will do for now.

12,239 · February 12

On 12/02/2025 at 15:17, Saabnut said:

The man from the Ministry has just left and the upshot is I am now a fully qualified and approved Class 5 MOT tester So if any shiters have a minibus they need testing.....

That gives me Classes 4, 5 and 7. That will do for now.

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Anyone wanting a preserved bus - there you go, someone to do your MoTs now (although fitting it into the test bay might* be an issue)!

Where I'm testin' I don't need no classes....

Well done Saabnut!

19,017 · February 17

Saturday was the first Classic Auction at Errol, Perthshire by Morris Leslie. Unusually for me, there were a few interesting vehicles listed so I went along with the Tayside club with a shopping list of 4 potentials. First one was a 1969 Massey Ferguson 165 which was left over from the last auction (that I was not at) which my friend was interested in. Up close it was in poor shape so I set my limit at £1500. It was knocked down provisionally at £2500, zero from 1.

Next was a car I really, really wanted. A 1926 Sunbeam Talbot Darracq. Estimated at 10-12k I set my limit at 15k. Once I saw it I upped my limit to 20k. I bid it to 22k (inc fees) but my oponent obviously wanted it more than me so I was the underbidder. Zero from 2.

Next was a 2012 Saab 9-3 'vert. One of the very last, I think made by Spyker in the short period they were involved. Estimate £1750 to £2500. Set my limit at £2750 inc fees. On inspection it was much worse than expected so moved my limit to £2250 plus fees. I bid it to that but it continued to £2900 plus fees. Zero from 3.

Finally, something I was not that bothered about but if it sold cheap........ a 1959 Mercedes 7 tonne diesel wagon, LHD. Set my limit to 3k. It was better than expected, so upped my limit to 4k. First bid was £7k and provisionally sold for £8100. Zero from 4. :-(

The day was not a complete loss as a tidy Petter M 1.5hp stationary engine came up and as I thought it was cheap I bought it despite not even looking at it. Not certain yet but the serial number would indicate it is an early one from between 1910 and 1915. It is home and a quick play saw a spark, so I added fuel and oil but no start. Will have a proper look at the weekend but very happy with my purchase.

19,966 · February 17

chip fat obvs

12,239 · February 17

On 17/02/2025 at 16:21, Saabnut said:

Saturday was the first Classic Auction at Errol, Perthshire by Morris Leslie. Unusually for me, there were a few interesting vehicles listed so I went along with the Tayside club with a shopping list of 4 potentials. First one was a 1969 Massey Ferguson 165 which was left over from the last auction (that I was not at) which my friend was interested in. Up close it was in poor shape so I set my limit at £1500. It was knocked down provisionally at £2500, zero from 1.

Next was a car I really, really wanted. A 1926 Sunbeam Talbot Darracq. Estimated at 10-12k I set my limit at 15k. Once I saw it I upped my limit to 20k. I bid it to 22k (inc fees) but my oponent obviously wanted it more than me so I was the underbidder. Zero from 2.

Next was a 2012 Saab 9-3 'vert. One of the very last, I think made by Spyker in the short period they were involved. Estimate £1750 to £2500. Set my limit at £2750 inc fees. On inspection it was much worse than expected so moved my limit to £2250 plus fees. I bid it to that but it continued to £2900 plus fees. Zero from 3.

Finally, something I was not that bothered about but if it sold cheap........ a 1959 Mercedes 7 tonne diesel wagon, LHD. Set my limit to 3k. It was better than expected, so upped my limit to 4k. First bid was £7k and provisionally sold for £8100. Zero from 4.

The day was not a complete loss as a tidy Petter M 1.5hp stationary engine came up and as I thought it was cheap I bought it despite not even looking at it. Not certain yet but the serial number would indicate it is an early one from between 1910 and 1915. It is home and a quick play saw a spark, so I added fuel and oil but no start. Will have a proper look at the weekend but very happy with my purchase.

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I did spy those stationary engines in the catalogue and thought "I wonder if..."

Well, now I know ;-)

5,864 · February 17

Nice engine.

You can now be one of those guys at steam fairs 😉

16,140 · February 17

On 17/02/2025 at 16:21, Saabnut said:

Finally, something I was not that bothered about but if it sold cheap........ a 1959 Mercedes 7 tonne diesel wagon, LHD. Set my limit to 3k. It was better than expected, so upped my limit to 4k. First bid was £7k and provisionally sold for £8100. Zero from 4.

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That seems strong, must have been popular for some reason

19,017 · February 22

Back to normality this weekend and the weather decided to play ball as a bonus. Moved a few cars and trailers back into their normal parking places as they had just been abandoned during the week when it was raining. Decided that now the worst of the winter is behind us (there, that has jinxed it!) it was time to wake up the AX diesel from its winter hibernation. After fitting new glow plugs at the end of last year, I discovered the relay and/or timer has failed making it difficult to start from cold, even with ether, hence why it was parked up. Today I jumped from the battery direct to the first glow plug with an old jump lead, and it started straight away despite being parked for about 3 months. It was however very smokey.

Took it to the end of my drive to drop off my rubbish in the bin, and seeing as how the road there is classified as a private road on Saturday afternoons, I took it for a brief spin to clear the rust from the discs and hopefully the smoke from the exhaust. After about 3 miles, both goals were met so returned home to prepare it for MOT. As my ramp is currently occupied by my Saab 93b, underneath was inspected the best I could with a decent torch and no knocks or bangs were detected on the test run. To the best I could see, there was nothing concerning underneath, but the front needed new tyres, the OS door mirror needed replacing as did the OS indicator repeater bulb.

I had bought new tyres at the end of last year so fitted those. The mirror glass was reattched but I did not have any suitable bulbs for the repeater. Nipped to see my friend Dunc (of REV resurrection fame) and sure enough being a confirmed citroen licker he had a bulb in stock. He also agreed to have a look at the relay/timer when I am ready. With that fitted, I think the AX is ready for MOT so I will take it to work one day this week and see what it does.

19,966 · February 22

saturday afternoons??

16,140 · February 22

On 22/02/2025 at 22:47, hairnet said:

saturday afternoons??

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Plod all sleeping ready for carnage night, I presume 😀

1,719 · February 23

On 22/02/2025 at 21:36, Saabnut said:

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Have you got a thread about the 93b and what you are doing to it anywhere?

Also, is that a Saabo caravan lurking in the background? Would love to see pics of that too!

Keep up the excellent work!

19,966 · February 23

On 23/02/2025 at 10:16, Surface Rust said:

Have you got a thread about the 93b

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too busy licking it

19,017 · February 24

On 23/02/2025 at 10:16, Surface Rust said:

Have you got a thread about the 93b and what you are doing to it anywhere?

Also, is that a Saabo caravan lurking in the background? Would love to see pics of that too!

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I cover all my cars in this thread as some can be years between updates :-) and yes, it is a Saabo caravan, very much a project and I will get pictures when I can get near it!

The 93b I am hoping to take to Lemans this year, possibly for the Classic or Shitefest International. It may not make it, but I will try. The problem is these cars were never imported into the UK so spares specific to them are not available over here. The Swedish club do not want to supply to the UK post Brexit so it makes things more difficult. The main things stopping it being roadworthy are a complete lack of brakes, a couple of teeth missing on the starter ring gear (a common problem on 2 strokes as they always come to rest on the same point of the flywheel), a few electrical niggles and the tyres date from the 80s and whilst they have plenty of tread the sidewalls are in a dangerous condition. I never realised that Firestone made tyres in Sweden, but according to these tyres they did.

I will need to get the brake shoes relined, and I believe some of the brake cylinders are the same as Morris Minor so need to look into that further. I have a few spare flywheels with good starter rings so a quick engine pull should sort that. I ordered tyres a while ago, so today decided to swap those. The first two went without problem. The valves seemed to be fairly recent and good quality so decided to leave them rather than put in modern no doubt chinesium valves that I have. The third one had a valve very much on its last legs so it was changed. The fourth one was also shot, so I removed the old one to discover the rim is from an earlier car so has a bigger diameter valve hole, which of course I don't have.

Aha, I thought, use the spare wheel rim. Of course, there is no spare in the car and V4 rims (which I have) are different. I have ordered the correct valve and started a search for a couple of 2 stroke rims. I do have a set of Ronals for it, but not sure I want to fit them yet.

A couple of pictures to pad this post out a bit

14,174 · February 24

On 24/02/2025 at 20:27, Saabnut said:

a couple of teeth missing on the starter ring gear (a common problem on 2 strokes as they always come to rest on the same point of the flywheel),

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Would it be too much of a bodge to unbolt the flywheel and turn it 180° ? (or different amount if odd number of bolts).

32,759 · February 25

Really pleased to see the AX is still going, I really liked that car.

7,916 · February 25

Flywheel teeth can helped by stalling the engine instead of switching off assuming it's manual. This makes it random where the engine stops, though I've never used it on a 2 stroke . On an Bmw 2500 6 cyl from 1973 it took it from about 1 in 2 settling on bad bit to about 1 in 6 times, much better.

19,017 · February 25

On 24/02/2025 at 23:52, catsinthewelder said:

Would it be too much of a bodge to unbolt the flywheel and turn it 180° ? (or different amount if odd number of bolts).

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That was my original plan and would work until I bought a few* spares recently. I think I have 14 spare engines plus a few extra flywheels so might just as well change it.

14,174 · February 25

14 spare 2 stroke engines and a Wartburg that won't move 😉

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How much shite is too much shite? Winter is coming so I bought the ultimate de-icer!

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