I'm not sure how many of you guys across the water are aware of the UK MOT and the checks carried out, but my car was bought from a trader with a full MOT and no advisory items. So I thought I had no major issues to attend to and enjoy the car..... Not so!!
I dropped into my local garage to see where a knocking noise was coming from at the front end of the car. It was there when I bought the car but as it had a clear MOT I wasn't too worried. It sounded like an exhaust hanger clunking. Here's what we found.....
I need,
Rear engine seal due to massive oil leak. Advised not to drive too far. (I knew there was an oil leak but it's got much worse very quickly.)
New sump pan gasket as the current one is shot and is held together with copious amounts of mastic. And I mean stacks of the stuff.
Half shaft seals due to leakage
Diff seals due to leakage
Both front shocks are absolutely knackered and clearly have been for some time
Gearbox sump pan is leaking
Fuel tank is leaking due to pin holes
Gearbox dipstick holder is leaking fluid at the engine
Brake shoes have hardly any meat left on them
ALL bushes on the front end are knackered. That's steering and suspension.
And a host of other crap I really can't be bothered to list.
Also bearing in mind the high beam didn't work, the windshield washers don't work and the headlamp aim was so far out I had to completely remove the headlights and make new adjusters as the originals were rusted away.
A nice little bill coming up I fear.
OK, some of them are consumables but the leaks should have been advisories and the shocks, bushes and headlamp aim literally 3 ft in front of the car and no high beam should instantly have failed an MOT. The shocks and bushes are absolutely f**ked and judging the condition of them, have been for some considerable time.
Was this a dodgy MOT station or a fifty quid in the glove box job? Either way I'm really not happy and I have a good mind to tell the trader I bought it from that he has just sold a car with a dicky MOT and taken my hard earned cash from me.
Old cars need constant maintenance but a dodgy ticket is another matter altogether.
I dropped into my local garage to see where a knocking noise was coming from at the front end of the car. It was there when I bought the car but as it had a clear MOT I wasn't too worried. It sounded like an exhaust hanger clunking. Here's what we found.....
I need,
Rear engine seal due to massive oil leak. Advised not to drive too far. (I knew there was an oil leak but it's got much worse very quickly.)
New sump pan gasket as the current one is shot and is held together with copious amounts of mastic. And I mean stacks of the stuff.
Half shaft seals due to leakage
Diff seals due to leakage
Both front shocks are absolutely knackered and clearly have been for some time
Gearbox sump pan is leaking
Fuel tank is leaking due to pin holes
Gearbox dipstick holder is leaking fluid at the engine
Brake shoes have hardly any meat left on them
ALL bushes on the front end are knackered. That's steering and suspension.
And a host of other crap I really can't be bothered to list.
Also bearing in mind the high beam didn't work, the windshield washers don't work and the headlamp aim was so far out I had to completely remove the headlights and make new adjusters as the originals were rusted away.
A nice little bill coming up I fear.
OK, some of them are consumables but the leaks should have been advisories and the shocks, bushes and headlamp aim literally 3 ft in front of the car and no high beam should instantly have failed an MOT. The shocks and bushes are absolutely f**ked and judging the condition of them, have been for some considerable time.
Was this a dodgy MOT station or a fifty quid in the glove box job? Either way I'm really not happy and I have a good mind to tell the trader I bought it from that he has just sold a car with a dicky MOT and taken my hard earned cash from me.
Old cars need constant maintenance but a dodgy ticket is another matter altogether.
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