MoT's

[slparry]

Given the annual MoT test was more valid when we had BL cars that were old rot boxes etc would there be an argument with modern vehicles to have the MoT as a bi annual requirement? What d'ya reckon?

[Twinspark]

Terrible idea.

Especially given that most cars are now on 2 year service cycles, too.

Most people don't even replace almost completely bald tyres without being told to do it, so the chances of them noticing anything else wrong between tests is non-existent.

[slparry]

Terrible idea.

Especially given that most cars are now on 2 year service cycles, too.

Most people don't even replace almost completely bald tyres without being told to do it, so the chances of them noticing anything else wrong between tests is non-existent.

So why not have them every 6 month

Or perhaps an every 10000 miles requirement?

[KenG]

you'd tell them the tyres were still legal, but would need changed very soon, and they'd still be there a year later.
people just don't look after their cars any more.

then a mate buys a wee car before christmas, a 07 micra with 100k on it, just a few hundred, but a month and the belt breaks, now says to me he's thinking of suing the trader(a boy selling from his house) for selling a un-roadworthy car...
i told him , tuff, he should have asked about the history, or brought it home and fitted a belt immediately. £17 to save 7-800 of damage.
and ok, he's not mechanically minded, but he could have just asked me, then i think he might have just chanced it anyway.
he's also raging that the guy diagnosed it without lifting the bonnet, but being a mechanic, i know a engine cranking over without valves or compression very well myself. the mechanic did lift the bonnet a few minutes later to just loosen the top cover and see the top can wasn't rotating. they are a close tolerance and smash valves and guides in the heads. .
if there was a mot from year one, it wouldn't bother me at all.

[Boxered]

Given the annual MoT test was more valid when we had BL cars that were old rot boxes etc would there be an argument with modern vehicles to have the MoT as a bi annual requirement? What d'ya reckon?

I believe that VOSA have shelved plans to do just that Steve, bowing to pressure from MOT stations that such a move would basically halve their turnover at a stroke, I would have no probs with that, but then I look after my vehicles. Am I correct in saying that there is no MOT equivalent in France? or is that just for bikes?
There is always the safety aspect of having your vehicle tested every year, but remember, it only means that the vehicle was roadworthy on the day of the test, a few hundred miles later is a different story.

Steve

[Boxered]

then a mate buys a wee car before christmas, a 07 micra with 100k on it, just a few hundred, but a month and the belt breaks, now says to me he's thinking of suing the trader(a boy selling from his house) for selling a un-roadworthy car...
i told him , tuff, he should have asked about the history, or brought it home and fitted a belt immediately. £17 to save 7-800 of damage.
and ok, he's not mechanically minded, but he could have just asked me, then i think he might have just chanced it anyway.
he's also raging that the guy diagnosed it without lifting the bonnet, but being a mechanic, i know a engine cranking over without valves or compression very well myself. the mechanic did lift the bonnet a few minutes later to just loosen the top cover and see the top can wasn't rotating. they are a close tolerance and smash valves and guides in the heads. .
if there was a mot from year one, it wouldn't bother me at all.

An all too familiar tale Ken, although non of that would be noted or even inspected during an MOT test as it purely for roadworthiness and not engine condition ( emissions excepted)

Steve

[Twinspark]

To be fair, most Micras had engines running cam chains and were bullet-proof.

So it's not unusual for someone to neglect the belt change on a Renault diesel engined version.

[Hayden]

Terrible idea.

Especially given that most cars are now on 2 year service cycles, too.

Most people don't even replace almost completely bald tyres without being told to do it, so the chances of them noticing anything else wrong between tests is non-existent.

So why not have them every 6 month

Or perhaps an every 10000 miles requirement?

I think the annual test is the best compromise, not perfect, but peoples car use varies so much, it would take my wife four years to do 10,000 miles!.......imagine that, 10,000 miles in four years at 29.5 mph..

[Grip Fast]

I believe we've just escaped the proposed EU standardised (super) MoT, which looked liked it was going to result in a hike in prices and be more stringent, and require testing stations to buy expensive specialist equipment. And from what I understand, it was going to be subcontracted out to a European based company.

So, I'm happy with the status quo (I saw them once before they were famous - blooming loud. I think they invented amps that go up to 11).

[nab 301]

Given the annual MoT test was more valid when we had BL cars that were old rot boxes etc would there be an argument with modern vehicles to have the MoT as a bi annual requirement? What d'ya reckon?

We have biennial tests for cars under 10 yrs old , annual for over 10 yrs old , none for cars registered pre 1980, and none for bikes . Generally nowadays , owners don't seem to lift the bonnet between services ( if they service them at all.

[Twinspark]

I've been to the depths of Ireland and seen the shonky old heaps of crap people pour themselves into when they leave the pub...

I don't think it's an great example of the way forward.

[nab 301]

I've been to the depths of Ireland and seen the shonky old heaps of crap people pour themselves into when they leave the pub...

.

What century was that then

[Twinspark]

As it happens, the tail end of the last one... once you get into the middle bits, nobody seems to care much.

There's always some half-cut yokel in a knackered old Astra Saloon meandering along in a particularly random manner.

I know Father Ted was supposed to be a comedy, but I do wonder sometimes if it was a fly on the wall documentary...

(I'd say the same about Shameless, though, having grown up in NE Manchester!)

[nab 301]

As it happens, the tail end of the last one... )

Mad as it sounds testing didn't start till 2000....
Should be much better now .
http://www.ncts.ie/index.html
I think this has changed recently , but no test cert is a mandatory court appearance , I still see vehicles with out of date certs though..
http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drive ... -offences/

And as for drinking and driving
http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/ ... n-Ireland/

Alcohol

Drink driving is a very serious offence in Ireland.

The legal limit for fully licenced drivers is 50 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit for professional and learner drivers is 20 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Local police (An Garda Siochána) have powers to set up random breath-test checkpoints

[Twinspark]

And here is why we can't extend the MOT intervals...