MOT Questions

[sirwiggum]

Couple of questions about MOT, particularly the strict NI MOT test centres (not a normal garage where fixes can be made / bodged).

- My fuel flap is not controlled by the lever because the mechanism is broken, so it is always open, but the cap does not lock. Do I need a locking cap, or is the fact that it is making a seal and no diesel is spilling ok for a pass?

- Should I reconnect the EGR for the emissions test? I think it is blocked, when connected it puts out black smoke when booting it.

- Front foglight is cracked. I have a new one but don't see me getting round to replacing it before the start of June. I know they test the rears, but are the fronts testable if fitted?

Cheers!

[mjb]

I suspect you may have to try seeing what you can find on government websites if it differs from the UK MOT

[HimBigChief]

If your car has front fogs fitted, then they should be tested. You could always just remove them for the test.

Fairly certain that you don't need a lockable fuel flap.

Not sure on the EGR valve, as the diesel emmission test usually involves booting it and checking if there's excessive black smoke. If the EGR makes it smoke worse, don't enable it.

All above advice is off the top of my head and not specifically what an MOT tester would do! I.e., don't hold me accountable if you follow my advice and it fails.

[sirwiggum]

I suspect you may have to try seeing what you can find on government websites if it differs from the UK MOT

They have a website listing stages.

http://www.dvtani.gov.uk/vehicletesting ... stages.asp

If your car has front fogs fitted, then they should be tested. You could always just remove them for the test.

Fairly certain that you don't need a lockable fuel flap.

Not sure on the EGR valve, as the diesel emmission test usually involves booting it and checking if there's excessive black smoke. If the EGR makes it smoke worse, don't enable it.

All above advice is off the top of my head and not specifically what an MOT tester would do! I.e., don't hold me accountable if you follow my advice and it fails.

I will leave the EGR disconnected for sure.

I think it may be more work removing the front fogs as replacing the cracked one. It lights but the light is cracked.

From the above page I can only find:

# Front and rear position lamps, registration plate lamps and rear fog lamp

Whatever a front and rear position lamp are....

After the lights have been inspected you will be asked to leave your vehicle and open the fuel cap (this is to inspect the seal on the cap as many accidents have been caused by fuel spillages)

I think you are right.

[HimBigChief]

I think position lamps are your sidelights.

It's just as much work to remove both front fogs as it would be to remove and refit one. Up to you though as you'll have to refit them at some stage.

[Welly]

A fuel filler cap only needs to have an effective seal, it doesn't matter if it locks (that's just a kinda anti-theft thing).

The reason (apart from they're sh*t) that those green/red temporary fuel cap things fail is because they don't make a proper seal I think.

A good (sympathetic) italiano tune-up on the way down the test always pays off I find.....

Don't know about the fogs? are you not allowed to have cracked or broken glass (makes sense I suppose) maybe you could remove them or fashion a pair of those CIBIE covers

[sirwiggum]

Foglight might be this weekends job then. Thanks guys!

[jasper5]

Front Fog lights are optional and are not involved in the mot test.
The fuel cap has to have a good seal and be fastened securely, the seal should not have any splits or be able to cause a fuel leak.
There must be no other defect that can cause a fuel leak.

These are UK reg's.

I would leave the EGR valve disconnected if it has less smoke this way.

[steve_earwig]

By securely, I presume you mean can't fall off, not thieving scumbag with pipe and jerry can proof.

[jasper5]

Correct

[sirwiggum]

Not thieving scum proof in the slightest. Not even strong-gust-of-wind proof!
Should really see about a bodge repair (not so much the "clothes peg" fix as the opening mechanism on the left hand itself)
But the standard pug cap does seal the fuel filler neck correctly. Must remember to give round it a wipe to clear the spilt diesel / injector cleaner before MOT.

I'll see if I can tackle the foglight 31stmay bank holiday, though if they just check the rear it should hopefully not be a biggie.

NI MOT regs I think are more or less GB regs, usually bring in new items such as the "shaker" From what I've heard this is to be introduced to GB MOTs. The Xantia needed a good lie down after it, and bits were flaking off the Alfa (though it did eventually get a certificate!)

The road up to it is an industrial estate, test is booked for 8am, should get a quick Italian. No point doing a motorway run for this, as the Westlink is stop-start at that time of the morning.

[CountryPug]

Couple of questions about MOT, particularly the strict NI MOT test centres (not a normal garage where fixes can be made / bodged).

- My fuel flap is not controlled by the lever because the mechanism is broken, so it is always open, but the cap does not lock. Do I need a locking cap, or is the fact that it is making a seal and no diesel is spilling ok for a pass?

- Should I reconnect the EGR for the emissions test? I think it is blocked, when connected it puts out black smoke when booting it.

- Front foglight is cracked. I have a new one but don't see me getting round to replacing it before the start of June. I know they test the rears, but are the fronts testable if fitted?

Cheers!

I put mine through the test about 6 weeks ago. Cookstown test centre made a big effort to make sure my fuel filler flap was secure, the guy pressed it several times to make sure it didnt spring open. Can't tell you if just the filler cap would do on its own but seemingly a flapping flap might be tricky?

As far as the front fog is concerned, my dads 405 has had a cracked fog for the past 2 MOTs and they've never raised it and when my 406 was in they didnt ask me to turn the front fogs on so they don't appear to be an issue.

[sirwiggum]

I put mine through the test about 6 weeks ago. Cookstown test centre made a big effort to make sure my fuel filler flap was secure, the guy pressed it several times to make sure it didnt spring open. Can't tell you if just the filler cap would do on its own but seemingly a flapping flap might be tricky?

As far as the front fog is concerned, my dads 405 has had a cracked fog for the past 2 MOTs and they've never raised it and when my 406 was in they didnt ask me to turn the front fogs on so they don't appear to be an issue.

Thanks CountryPug.
That's bad news. Fuel filler flap repair looks like a get, possibly a dealer job. Was hoping I could get away with the cap secured or fitting a locking fuel cap.
Ack. Might take my chances, see what the Belfast test centre says.

[jasper5]

Here are the regulations, including NI....http://www.ukmot.com/6-7.asp#Text_top

[sirwiggum]

Here are the regulations, including NI....http://www.ukmot.com/6-7.asp#Text_top

2. Check fuel tank cap for positive fit and condition of sealing washer and flange.
a. fuel cap does not fasten sercurely- by a positive means, or- such that pressure is not maintained on the sealing arangement
b. fuel cap sealing washer torn, deteriorated or missing, or a mounting flange/sealing method defective such that the leakage of fuel is possible

Fuel cap is grand, locks and seals the tank. No leaks. Doesn't lock, which shouldn't matter.

Just the flappity flap!
I'll get the handbrake tightened and taking her up on 7th June and see what they say.

Thanks all!