MOT, only at the time of the test.

[timwilky]

So the van flew through its MOT 3 weeks ago. Since then it has done 12 miles. Took the wife to work this morning and thought the exhaust noisy.

Got home and the down pipe has separated from the front silencer box, corroded though at the weld. Not a pin hole, two separate parts.

OK it is only £32 for a new one, so not complaining at the cost. Took me an hour to remove the corroded section(s) having to wait for it to cool down, so a simple enough job.

But surely my tame tester should have given me the nod. I know anything I take should pass, but this was ridiculous.

I know one tester who gave himself an advisory. This at least should have warranted an advisory if not a fail.

[Sir Trev]

Was it making any noticeable noises before the test Tim? Unless the guy walked down the length of the system thumping the joints/welds with a mallet it's possible a weak joint simply chose today to crack open but looked as rusty as the rest of it with no obvious signs on test day. Rust on a mild steel car/van exhaust looks horrible if it's just surface corrosion or worse after all, and as it's difficult to tell how thin the metal is unless you give it some with a persuader or screwdriver.

At least you can fix it yourself cheaply which is more than most of us can manage :cool:.

[NTECUK]

Was it making any noticeable noises before the test Tim? Unless the guy walked down the length of the system thumping the joints/welds with a mallet it's possible a weak joint simply chose today to crack open but looked as rusty as the rest of it with no obvious signs on test day. Rust on a mild steel car/van exhaust looks horrible if it's just surface corrosion or worse after all, and as it's difficult to tell how thin the metal is unless you give it some with a persuader or screwdriver.

At least you can fix it yourself cheaply which is more than most of us can manage :cool:.
If a VOSA QC catches you poking things with a screwdriver or being over heavy checking things you will get a slap and possible points.
But what Sir Trev has said is Ok to a point (ie hand not a mallet).

Without a pic even the advisory bit maybe a sticky point. (you can add a few see the MOT check list posted several times on hear).

[timwilky]

no perceivable noise at the time. But to completely fail 12 miles later.

Annoying, just been down to the factors, according to the computer it is on the shelf. But the cupboard is bare. A new one coming in this afternoon for me. 3 hours wasted. Hey ho back to work we go.

[Quiff Wichard]

£32 !! God you could buy a meat pie at shap services for that !

[timwilky]

Quiff mate, only you would pay that. 2008 and it still hurts you to think about it. but it was yummy.

Still I don't think I have experienced wind like that since!!!!

[Spank86]

no perceivable noise at the time. But to completely fail 12 miles later.

Annoying, just been down to the factors, according to the computer it is on the shelf. But the cupboard is bare. A new one coming in this afternoon for me. 3 hours wasted. Hey ho back to work we go.

I once had an exhaust on a Renault 5 go from no noise, to falling off in the middle of the road within 10 miles.

[Fallout]

Was that after you jumped the humpback bridge with 5 people in the car at 90 mph?

[daveyrach]

I bought a Fiesta in February went from no noise to the same as you, two separate parts where the down pipe came away from the flexi on the weld just by going over a speed bump in the work car park, this was 10 miles after a VIC test at a VOSA testing station as well.

[Sir Trev]

Was that after you jumped the humpback bridge with 5 people in the car at 90 mph?

Let's see if I get this right - a Renault 5, five people in it, 90 mph? Unless it was the GT Turbo model, or unless the aforementioned bridge was at the bottom of a really long steep hill, I'm going with a derisive snort.

[squirrel_hunter]

I MOT'ed an ER6 I had for a bit. Rode home from the test all fine, next day took the bike out and the exhaust can fell off. Trouble was it was the join from the headers to the exhaust which had seperated. Finding a replacement sent of pipes took months.

[Spank86]

Was that after you jumped the humpback bridge with 5 people in the car at 90 mph?
nope, my mum was driving when the exhaust fell off.

Let's see if I get this right - a Renault 5, five people in it, 90 mph? Unless it was the GT Turbo model, or unless the aforementioned bridge was at the bottom of a really long steep hill, I'm going with a derisive snort.


Speedo read high 90's.

The Renault 5 1.4 model would show 105 at top out (with a downhill).

[timwilky]

Well, all done. Nice and quite now.

So other things I noticed whilst in the pit, brake pad wear wire snapped in two, so a quick solder job required. Massive corrosion to spare wheel carrier. Never opened it in the 3 years I have had the van, so should be fun. Rear box could also do with a change.

Front subframe is covered in surface rust. Looks fugly, but a massive job, so to remove (carries engine and front suspension etc) so might just wire brush and hammerite to make it look nicer.

Add another £3 for the manifold seal and vat. So total bill £41.