Hi guys, I was directed to Honest John by a good friend in trying to find the answer to the following MOT questions, I'd really appreciate any help:
1. Considering that 6% of all MOTs fail due to emissions exceeding permissable levels, can anybody tell me what they've paid in the past to correct their emissions failure? I know it's kind of a broad one, but I'm trying to ascertain some basic/average cost for motorists who fail their MOT on this point
and, 2. The biggest reason for MOT failures last year was defined as 'lighting' by VOSA, with 19% of all MOTs, or 2 million of all first time failures down to this, again, broad reason. I know this can range from a couple of quid for replacement to the headlights having to be realigned etc, but if you've failed on this in the past, how much did it cost you?
I got the info from here: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublicatio...f, and spoke to VOSA themselves to get some of the stats for some research I'm doing, if you could help me out with some vague answers to my vague questions (apologies...!), I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks, Rich
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Hi Rich.
I've never had an MOT failure on emissions.
The 2 most recent MOT issues I've had, related to lighting, were very simple.
Firstly, I failed to notice a blown headlamp bulb on a Ford Fiesta. Fixed by the garage carrying out the MOT within the cost of the test.
Secondly, orange indicator bulbs on a Fiat Cinquecento had lost their orange colour. Again, fixed within the cost of the MOT by the same garage.
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We had a particulate fail on the volvo last year - my fault I suppose, it had done nothing but 2mile school runs for the couple of weeks prior to the test. 20 mins thrashing it and a new air filter and all was fine. (small smoke cloud over the industrial estate though) So cost <£10
We also had the not-yellow-enough bulb failure on the audi. cost ? couple of quid? cant remember
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Sorry to be a bit negative but if 60,000 cars per 1million tested (maths OK?)are failing MOT on emissions you are going to have to have to get a great load of answers to make your stats valid. With the best will in the world you aren't going to get that many answers from the willing helpers in the forum and when you do they may well say:-
1. Fixed free under warranty
2. Bought a part for £37 and fitted it myself
3. Needed a new DPF £700 + labour = £988
I understand what you are asking and why but it is BIG task - good luck with it. I've never had a car fail on this so I can't help.
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Thanks, I appreciate your honesty. It's not 100% necessary for the stats to be spot-on, and I really appreciate and wish to thank all who've answered so far - it's just to get a better idea in my head of whether emissions for one is a big spend fail (I know it could be, but answers so far seem to be leaning the other way) and how much light failures cost (again, this seems to be fairly low).
I'm the PR... snip
I have removed half of this post as it is clear you are trying to advertise and promote a product for which you do not have permission to do so on this website. Thanks
Rob, Moderator
Edited by rtj70 on 10/03/2009 at 19:05
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Similar experience to doctorchris, never had a fail due to emissions, and one fail for a headlight bulb which was changed there and then by the garage for a token amount (less than i would have expected to pay for a new bulb at halfords !)
If you need a figure for the bulb ..... £5 ?
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I had an emissions fail on an Audi 80TDi - new fuel and air filters, plus a shot of cleaner, total £40, I think.
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Twice my escort has failed on emissions.
Once was a typical new filters and a blast up the M62 fix, the other was about £400 to replace the engine as the piston rings had gone. Neglect by previous owner I think, as when FIL bought it the oil was very low but no sign of an oil leak (alarm bells there) worth fixing as it is otherwise a decent car, if getting on a bit now.
As to light's only ever had one failure and that was the indicator/headlight stalk failing on the way to the test centre, <£10 from the scrapyard.
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My own 94 Escort 1.6 LX (90bhp) initially failed emissions last month following a (rather shamingly) long period being driven with a blocked back exhaust box. Snake oil (I don't know what kind) and an Italian tune-up got it through, and it now runs better than ever. Didn't cost much. One of my Skoda Estelles once failed on emissions too, despite the lax requirements with carburetted small cars. The MoT man screwed the mixture screw in a quarter turn and it passed (no charge). I then screwed it out again to restore correct performance...
The MoT is pretty hit-or-miss although it detects most grossly dangerous mechanical faults. Cars with dampers that don't leak but are completely worn out and non-functioning (can cause skittish handling on wet ripply roads in some cars, which not everyone enjoys) are usually passed. On the other hand I was once failed briefly for a very small power steering fluid weep from the union between the reservoir and the return pipe.
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We've had this kind of product in the UK before, it might have worked on old technology cars but is unlikely to work on our high tech motors these days.
Still, good luck to you in selling the product.
I have a huge problem starting up, myself, in the mornings and would appreciate it if you could send the **** girls around to me at about 8 am!!
Edited by rtj70 on 10/03/2009 at 18:59
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Nationwide Autocentres offer a 'guarantee' for 50quid that you car will pass an MoT. The guarantee covers lighting (not xenons) and emissions plus other things.
I would guess that someone has done the maths to be able to offer 650 quids worth of cover for 50quid to Nationwide's customers - and I doubt they're losing money on it.
there are some fairly obvious limitations - just google Nationwide MOT Guarantee for more info.
I've had one car fail on emissions (my MGF) - it was fixed under warranty. And an occasional failure on amber bulbs showing white - just a few pence for these.
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as an MOT tester I very rarley had cars fail on emissions, some needed a quick italian & bulbs I used to replace under PRS so whilst they were recorded as a fail they didn't actually fail, because PRS used to allow a pass certificate so the stats may not be accurate.
I have to say i was always shocked at how many cars had more than one bulb out.
I would mot anything up to 13-14 in a day & emmissions never a hastle!
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I have just realised that the OP is an automotive drug dealer purveying harmful (and addictive) ether sprays. If we use this stuff on our cars in damp weather when the ignition has got a bit fluffy, there is every probability that the ether will clean the oil off the upper cylinders causing bore wear. This makes starting ever more problematic, hence the addictive nature of these noxious fluids.
(No doubt someone is going to suggest that ****** is the equivalent of skunk weed, 'far, far stronger than the Easy Start we used to get in the sixties... honestly officer, my car didn't know what it was doing and I had to evict it from the garage, corrupting the wife's scooter and the old man's mobility chair...' etc, etc....)
Edited by rtj70 on 10/03/2009 at 18:55
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Headlamp alignment always has been a major cause of failure. I read something some time ago that VOSA were aware of the problem and were looking for solutions. HGV testing stations always have allowed for minor adjustments to be carried out during the test - headlamp aim being the most common adjusment. Testers weren't allowed to help.
Recently I've noticed that (when easy to do) testers now adjust headlamp aim themselves.
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"Recently I've noticed that (when easy to do) testers now adjust headlamp aim themselves. "
allowed to do it under PRS ( pass repair service)
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My old car failed on emssions (first car, not my last one), cost £3.50 for a bottle of STP Stop smoke and got it through. It failed on visible emissions rather than the chemicals in them. It produced a huge amount of blue smoke when revved. It was a very naughty cheat as the engine was in every way on its last legs. I sold it to a trader for £80 as it had a 10 month MOT left but the car would not start. According to DVLA it was put back on the road again for a total of 3 months before being scrapped.
I always wonder if trader sold it on as a genuine car and the new owner found out it actually needed a new engine, or she crashed it when she tried to use her windscreen wipers (long story! lets just say I thought I was telling the car for scrap).
My dads Escort once failed the emissions and we suspect they gave it a dodgy MOT as we later found out the valves were burnt out and on the day of the MOT the car was doing 10-15mpg there is no way it should have got through the emissions and when I asked how they fixed it they were very very cagey!
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My 1300 HCS Escort failed the gas test...Changed the plugs and filter, took it back to check before doing other MOT work and it was OK. Did the other jobs, went for a re-test and the emissions were up again ! A handy Corsa waiting for a test came to the rescue...naughty. It's gone to Escort Valhalla now.
Ted
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