The grumpy thread

[scaryoldcortina]

Thank feck for that!

 

I like to think I'm a pragmatic tester. I know the manual inside out. I don't set out to fail something, everything gets assesed on its merits. Say for example that a car is in good nick and otherwise a pass, but I notice the brake pads on the front are pretty low. Brake roller test records a pass. If I worked for Kwik-fit, that would fail as "pads below 2mm" but I'm more inclined to advise "pads wearing low". You can't take them out during a test to measure them, maybe it's 2.1mm left.... Obviously, metalled pads or a serious imbalance or effort reading, yeah, fucked and failed.

 

If Junkman's 405 only failed on that numberplate, the tester is a twat, and the AE would tell him to his face that he was said female part. If it failed on other stuff too, I can see why it got included by a cautious (thick) tester who was worried that an old heap with many marginal problems might get referred to VOSA (oops, it's DVSA this week) and got him a bollocking. I see a lot of that, along with unneccesary advisories "just in case". Most testers hate older cars because they have to look for stuff, or read up or something.

[UltraWomble]

6 weeks after surgery to my knee I go and hurl myself at Blackpool prom.

Knee looks like it has a clowns nose - normally this wouldnt be so bad, but I have a feeling I might have ruptured my meniscal repair as its swelling like a balloon now.

I also hurmed my phone at the prom too...

 

But mostly Im pissed pff about my jeans. They were new.

[scaryoldcortina]

an MOT tester of my acquaintance got dragged over the coals by VOSA several years ago.

 

he failed a Nissan K10 Micra for rust in the front sub-frame/engine bed. this was that bad the pointy prodding tool went through it like tissue paper.

 

the VOSA man said he shouldn't have done this, as it wasn't a testable item!!!

 

the testers i think are stuck between a rock and a hard place! 

 

That's a good example of the sort of problem we face. The front xm on a micra wasn't close enough to a prescribed item (steering, suspension, brakes, seatbelts) to count for rust holes, and not structural enough to cause imminent failure of brakes or steering, Prob is, they are always rotten, and you find big holes. We who read the manual knew this, other testers went "OMGRUST!!!!!" and failed.

 

Worse still, now VODVSASA have added engine and gearbox mounts into prescribed areas IT IS NOW A FAIL!

 

Meh. I'm glad I can read.

[Pillock]

Next week, when the MOT test goes up to £75 and can only be done by garages who have the right equipment that changes every 6 months and you have to book it online on a website that rarely works unless you're on NCSA Mosaic v1.03 and no free retests and fail items have to be signed off by a mechanic rather than dicking around with brakes on your driveway..... we can blame Bollox for reminding those in power that currently, it's not a bad system.

 

Because it's not really. It has a sense that it's actually thought out by people who know vehicles, especially if you read that MOT testers blog thing where testers send in photos of someone who has made a balljoint out of a chicken drumstick, there's some very clever stuff goes off behind the scenes.

[Slappy]

A friend of mine just described her 7 years young Mazda 3 as "coming to the end of it's life".

 

Then again, in the same breath I warned her of the galloping rot that will kill these off faster than you can say "saltwater based paint".

[fred]

Never had an issue with my MOT man, he shows you what needs doing calls you a cunt and then I make the tea...I know where I stand in life, he makes my car safe, Im the tea slut

[fred]

6 weeks after surgery to my knee I go and hurl myself at Blackpool prom.

Knee looks like it has a clowns nose - normally this wouldnt be so bad, but I have a feeling I might have ruptured my meniscal repair as its swelling like a balloon now.

I also hurmed my phone at the prom too...

 

But mostly Im pissed pff about my jeans. They were new.

What a pisser, hope your knee isnt as bad as you think

[AlabamaShrimp]

I've had the same operation and it took ages for the swelling to go down.

 

WWhile I didn't fall I hurt it again (can't remember how) and I thought I had damaged it again. They checked but apparently the repairs are a lot tougher than they say and all was well in a few weeks. Still do get the occasional random pain in it but at least I can now walk

[cort1977]

I think the UK takes the best approach to vehicle testing and would have to ask where in the world has a better system?

 

Japan - too strict

France - just stupid with no changes to the manufacturer's spec permitted

US - depends on state but pretty lax in general except for CARB emissions lunacy in California

Australia - depends on state, nothing in the West and North which is just scary or petty nit picking in the East - 'engineer's' report to change wheel size for example

NZ - every 6 months!

Germany - every two years, you can get a lot of bald tyres in 2 years although maybe this isn't the German way.

 

Sadly I suspect that in most of the rest of the world the test is slightly academic as enforcement is lacking...

[purplebargeken]

UW, at least it looks less alien now. Heal quickly mon ami.

[beko1987]

Saw a blue ZX on the hard shoulder on the other side of the m40 this morning. I felt sorry for it, then touched some wood when I got to work...

[J-Rod]

 

Japan - too strict

 

 

Having had a few JDM imports, I'm actually quite glad for that. If you're buying a car from the other side of the world, with a service manual that you need to seriously concentrate on to understand, it's a spot of comfort to know that someone, somewhere, has been anal about the tiniest things. 

[J-Rod]

Headphones while driving. 

 

Yes, I get the whole 'hands-free' thing because of the incessant need to chatter about bollocks constantly while doing anything in the world but seriously, both headphones in, listening to music, while driving? I can't be the only one to use their ears while driving... right?  

 

Reason I mention this; after dropped t'other half off at work this morning, I was stopped at the lights and something caught my eye. Glanced in the mirror and person behind was donning a bright orange pair of Beatzzzz by Dr Dré (very important that the brand is mentioned of course). Those are enclosed headphones and I have the sort of job where I wear enclosed headphones if I need to concentrate on what I'm listening to and nothing else.

[J-Rod]

The Japanese equivalent MOT is barely different from ours, other than them not liking visible rust on suspension components (which isn't a huge deal as they don't salt the roads). I seem to recall emissions is more lax too. Most of the high cost is down to that you essentially pay a load of taxes and compulsory insurance at the same time, but also that most people basically do the Japanese version of leaving the entire process to a Kwik Fit style joint for a wallet-bumming instead of just driving to the test centre and doing any repairs themselves. It's also bi-annual for most stuff.

I suppose it's bi-annual though as many cars don't do the mileage over there? 

[vulgalour]

Had to come home from the unit early as nothing is working like it should, including my stupid gammy knee.  One of those days when I do a job and the very last part of it messes up the previous hour or two's graft too, which is pretty tiresome.  AND the house I wanted to view has been taken so I'm stuck between Screamy Kids for a while longer.  Urgh, I wonder if this isn't a Tuesday at all but some sort of Second Monday.

[Noel Tidybeard]

Headphones while driving. 

 

Yes, I get the whole 'hands-free' thing because of the incessant need to chatter about bollocks constantly while doing anything in the world but seriously, both headphones in, listening to music, while driving? I can't be the only one to use their ears while driving... right?  

 

Reason I mention this; after dropped t'other half off at work this morning, I was stopped at the lights and something caught my eye. Glanced in the mirror and person behind was donning a bright orange pair of Beatzzzz by Dr Dré (very important that the brand is mentioned of course). Those are enclosed headphones and I have the sort of job where I wear enclosed headphones if I need to concentrate on what I'm listening to and nothing else.

i thought there was a law against wearing headphone whilst driving- i'm sure it was brung in during the 80's when everyone started using walkmans* instead of buying a car stereo

[J-Rod]

A quick google and it comes back with 'depends'. 

[J-Rod]

Google also turned up this little gem of 'wisdom'. No points guessing where it came from... 

 

 

 

The law is a complete farce if you can be prosecuted for wearing headphones. Many stereos, especially if it is after-market, or in a luxury car that is quiet anyway, can be turned up loud enough to mask exterior noise.

 

yes... and the screams from the plebs you're crushing beneath your 19" rims... 

[cort1977]

The Japanese equivalent MOT is barely different from ours, other than them not liking visible rust on suspension components (which isn't a huge deal as they don't salt the roads). I seem to recall emissions is more lax too. Most of the high cost is down to that you essentially pay a load of taxes and compulsory insurance at the same time, but also that most people basically do the Japanese version of leaving the entire process to a Kwik Fit style joint for a wallet-bumming instead of just driving to the test centre and doing any repairs themselves. It's also bi-annual for most stuff.

That's interesting.  I must confess I was basing my assessment purely on internet folklore, not for the first time.

[Bren]

Went out to finish the base for our summer house.

 

I have never seen as many green bottles in my life - I assumed somebody must have died nearby.

 

They were all vying for space on a solitary turd our king charles had deposited- there were so many on it it looked like an emerald brooch.

 

Even wasps were eating the turd - must be austerity for them as well.

[Pillock]

Google also turned up this little gem of 'wisdom'. No points guessing where it came from... 

 

 

yes... and the screams from the plebs you're crushing beneath your 19" rims... 

 

I'm not sure there is, or even the need for a specific law against it.

Surely it would come under "driving without due care and attention" as would having the stereo up so loud you can't hear traffic, horns etc.

[quicksilver]

I love my job at the university but the central registry are really starting to frustrate me with their continuing incompetence when anything is even slightly out of the ordinary. I am officially still registered as a research student and work on the medical school project under stipend rather than being a fully-fledged staff member, an arrangement that suits both parties. My original term of registration was Feb 2014 to Feb 2015 but due to the volume of work I had to apply for a 6-month extension and by the time registry got around to actioning it my original registration had actually expired. That eventually got sorted after much hassle and red tape and I was re-registered for a further 6 months.

 

Now 6 months down the line, a further change of circumstances means I need another extension and this one is proving even more of a ballache. My supervisor applied on my behalf in good time, but registry wrote back saying my studies had been suspended in February. In response my supervisor put them right with the form I filled in 6 months ago requesting an extension and not a suspension and reiterated that I needed a further extension. Now I find the extension hasn't yet been processed so my registration expired last week and I haven't been paid the August stipend. Fortunately an expired ID card can still be used and my email account is still active, but more importantly why should I do any more work this month until they can guarantee I'll get paid for it? Honestly, it really shouldn't be this difficult!

[purplebargeken]

 

 

Surely it would come under "driving without due care and attention" as would having the stereo up so loud you can't hear traffic, horns etc.

 

Surely it would come under "driving like a complete oblivious twat without due care and attention".

[J-Rod]

Surely it would come under "driving like a complete oblivious twat without due care and attention".

Regardless of how you spin it (!) I think if you had a whack with headphones in/music blaring, it would probably count against you (but not be in the same league as, say, texting while driving). 

 

I don't think there should be a law against it but probably one of those things that would seem mostly stupid to do, like, say gazing out at the fields while driving down the M3... then again, what seems stupid concerning driving to some people seems to be totally acceptable to others. ANYway... 

[Bren]

The scenes of immigrants on the greek island of Kos is shameful and makes my piss boil.

 

The elite blame romanians. I blame etonians.

[dave21478]

Driving with the music too loud is now an actual offence here. €75 fine, but Im not sure what qualifies as "too loud". A handful of new laws have been passed or are in the process of being passed and this is one of them.

Illegal to smoke with kids in the car too. Not a bad idea IMO.

[Angrydicky]

As the radio in the Maestro doesn't work, on long journeys I wear headphones to listen to music. Obviously not so loud that I can't hear what's going on around me. Don't see the problem with it, it's only the same as listening to the radio. There are no laws against it (I checked). There, I've said it and will probably get flamed now/

[EssDeeWon]

The scenes of immigrants on the greek island of Kos is shameful and makes my piss boil.

 

The elite blame romanians. I blame etonians.

 

The migrants in Kos are fleeing Syria and ISIS, and I don't blame them.

 

Nothing to do with etonians.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I cant see any terrible horror in the idea of driving with headphones on. I crank my choonz right up when I am in the mood and people who are deaf or have crap hearing are OK to drive are they not? You only need your ears to listen for big ends going etc IMO.

[cobblers]

Yeah I drove a mini home from buying it once with headphones in (cos it was insanely loud and I was on the m42 which is awful) and I didn't hear the big ends going and only realised there was a problem when it stopped going.