VOSA roadworthyness checks are to MoT standard, so my guess is that they won't take the car apart - not sure what they'd find anyway.
Police/HMRC checks for crime/drugs can, with reasonable suspicion, strip the car to bits if they think the stuff is hidden inside tanks, tyres or box sections, but they'd have to have good reason - it won't be a random check.
I've been stopped a few times in Dover - they ask a few Qs and watch your replies, body language etc. - if you start fidgetting and giving odd/wrong answers they dig deeper, but if you are straight, open and calm they soon give up. Came away from one with a trim remover that had been left in the car by a customs officer who must have got distracted.
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I got turned over in Poole by HMRC. LWB Patrol, caravan, SWMBO and three ankle biters.
HMRC man took the top off the air filter....can't imagine what he hoped was in there.
I wonder if he'd have done it if it was about 7 bolts, like on some older Fords !
As it was, it was I wing nut...easy. I imagine any drugs in there would have long since been ingested by the healthy appetite of the straight six motor !
Ted
Edited by Honestjohn on 12/07/2009 at 17:09
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At least once HMRC Dover played good cop/bad cop on me - first was bad cop, a bit in my face, quick fire Qs etc. They then had me out on chair while they went over the car, and then good cop came along. Older guy, friendly approach, sat down next to me, chatty style, but was looking for the same info., but from another angle. He then went off, compared notes (I guess) and soon after I was on my way.
I didn't tell him that I'd done the Forces' tactical questioning course, when you get held in PoW conditions for 24 hours and questioned by the pros!
Edited by Honestjohn on 12/07/2009 at 17:09
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