Lorry MOT

MotherOfChickens

MotherOfChickens

MotherDucker
Joined
3 May 2007
Messages
16,639
Location
Weathertop
Visit site
I usually pay the mechanic to take the lorry through but we've changed guys and this one doesn't do it as he's a mobile mechanic that comes a fair way. The test centre will for a fee but OH has offered-he'd just like a heads up of what's involved first. An overview would be much appreciated-7.5t if that makes a difference.
 
Yes, I did it once and OH did it once. Now we pay them to!

It is not particularly difficult, but the first time he did it we did not know to remove the wheel trims and the test centre staff were all coming out whilst we were in line, and pointing and laughing at the lorry. This was a 12.5 tonne.

I went over to ask what the issue was, then they told me that we had failed. I asked how, as we had not even started yet. They said it was the hub caps, and that we would not have time to get them off. Bless OH, he was manic, but he got them off.

The time I took it through it had all been prepped by the mechanic, and I drove it onto a ramp, made it drive on a rolling road when told to, braked when told to. Handbrake on etc. Turn the lights on and off.


It failed that time too. They told me that my Spray Suppression System was inoperative. I did not even know what that was, they told me it was dirty mud flaps. They were not really dirty! Not caked in mud or anything.


I took it down the road and a quick hose later represented and it but they had all gone to lunch... A lady from the office, in her stilettos, came and had a look and passed it.


IMO, if a pro takes it then they do a 'normal' check. If a horsebox owner takes it they seem awkward. The test itself is not difficult.
 
Last edited:
MotherOfChickens said:
That good?��
Click to expand...

Sorry, it weirdly posted part way through my reply! Done the rest now.

To be fair, we now do take the little one through. OH tells me it was the Govt one that was obtuse. We use now a registered one that is private and OH takes ours through there. I thought it was because we now have a little van, but he tells me that no, they could do a big one too.

It is a lovely place. So much so that my lorry (when I had a 7.5) developed a list on the motorway, so I came off and drove straight in there to see if I could pay to put air in the tyre. They came straight out, checked the air (which was a tiny bit low) but diagnosed a suspension issue, that was safe enough to limp home and take for our mechanic to fix. No charge.


We go there now. Friendly and no issue.

The Govt one was awful. Do not walk on the grass type place with people being awful.
 
Last edited:
My daughter takes their lorry every year after it has been serviced, cleaned and prepared by the mechanic up the road who looks after the farm tractors.
She has never mentioned that it is any bother or particularly difficult at all. If you have some specific queries, I can ask her.
 
I used to take mine to the local testing centre at Bicester although like a lot (all?) Government testing stations it has now closed down.

Definitely take the hub caps off. I didn't the first time but a helpful person in the queue told me about that one. Also make sure there is no string on the outside tie rings. I was also told that it was best to remove the gas bottle for the hob but didn't have time to do that and it wasn't a problem.

It actually isn't that difficult. You have to drive it onto the rolling road and accelerate and break when told. In general I found them helpful but I did find it very nerve wracking.
 
they are being very precious about fuel caps- 1st thing i was asked was to unlock it so they could inspect the seal (thats a first in 25 yrs of taking my own truck) the tester said it would have to fail because of a tiny nick in the flat rubber seal that hangs over the edge & so zero chance of leaking /letting in air etc . the MOT assistant managed to persuade him to let it through as an advisory on the condition that as i ordered a brand new one in front of him for next day delivery & it was NOT leaking. Really stressful experience (i think i was very very lucky i was the last of the day, they wanted to go home & if he'd slapped the prohibition notice on for the cap - yes really-theyd have had to have waited for recovery before they could lock up) but apparently they have been told to target caps..
 
After paying for ours to be taken by the mechanic for a few years, we were hit with a decent bill for basically a lightbulb, so we decided that I would take it next time. Have to say I was terrified lol, explained how I felt to the receptionist and she got a guy from the test station to sit in and do what was needed, with me sat in the passener seat to learn... it passed. The following year I did it myself and it passed again. This year we have a different lorry so paid for it to go as tbh we didnt really know what they may find and it blooming failed. Nothing major and the mechanic who took it was very reasonable and it did take the stress away. He fixed it, took it for its retest and it passed.
Although very sexist lol I was once told by a mechanic to stick some lippy on, flirt and have a laugh with the tester ha ha and all will be ok unless its something major and it passed each tme I took it lol.
 
Take it yourself (assuming you're female). I won't say why as it's very non-PC but our lorry mechanic suggested I take our lorry rather than my husband. I won't say any more than that and will let you work it out.
It's really simple and they are so nice. If you don't understand what to do, just ask. They are very friendly. Mine failed on something small so had to go back another day for a re-test and both testers were thoroughly nice people. If anything we actually had quite a giggle.

Edited to add that the previous post has explained why you should take it yourself (didn't see that before I posted)
 
Last edited:
I took mine myself for years and now OH does but he is a mechanic so that sort of helps! First off they inspect the lorry outside (i had one fail immediately as it had no side runner bars, it was a 5 tonne, never had side runner bars in its life but that year they decided that it needed them), they look at the wheel nuts etc at that point. Then they attach it to a diagnostic machine for emissions and rev it up painfully high. Then the scary bit as you drive over the inspection pit! Tester goes down into the inspection pit and relays instructions like steering wheel hard to left, brakes on, lights on (it is at this point I generally used to hit the horn rather than that the lights as was in panic mode and forgot where things were on a vehicle I drove regularly). They then move onto the scary brake test bit - so that is putting the axles onto the brake rollers and then applying brakes, handbrakes etc to instruction. They get print outs of the emissions and brakes. Then they either smile or not depending on the outcome. We always put a weight in the back of our lorry - generally a tractor weight as that helps make the brake readings more efficient I think although they will test without it. They used to be very keen on hi viz if you are walking around the lorry or going to the office though that was went it was VOSA owned station rather than a commercial garage where VOSA rent the test lane. Bonus of mechanic going is if there is something silly like the headlight beam angle needs changing they can generally do that immediately but other than the scary driving over the pit it is fine. My mother used to come along for the day out.
 
eggs said:
I used to take mine to the local testing centre at Bicester although like a lot (all?) Government testing stations it has now closed down.

Definitely take the hub caps off. I didn't the first time but a helpful person in the queue told me about that one. Also make sure there is no string on the outside tie rings. I was also told that it was best to remove the gas bottle for the hob but didn't have time to do that and it wasn't a problem.

It actually isn't that difficult. You have to drive it onto the rolling road and accelerate and break when told. In general I found them helpful but I did find it very nerve wracking.
Click to expand...

Really?? ref the string. My mechanic takes mine and the string has never been removed (don't think he's undoing it and putting it back as some of it is pretty old and ropey). Ditto I think the old empty gas bottle is in the living area. I never use the hob. I didn't even know they looked inside.
 
Louby said:
I was once told by a mechanic to stick some lippy on, flirt and have a laugh with the tester ha ha and all will be ok unless its something major and it passed each tme I took it lol.
Click to expand...

I will let the OH know :p

thanks everyone, I'll have another chat to the mechanic about the test and weights etc as he's coming out next week. OH has offered to run it through as he's currently off work atm whereas I am not and I am a great big wuss who would rather just pay someone to do it for me.
 
Hi...... I am Chiffy’s daughter. I have taken our 7.5 t lorry many times. It’s totally fine...... like anything a bit of experience helps.
Ask your mechanic for a few tips.
Hubs caps must be removed.
We always remove gas bottles just in case.
Check your lights one last time before you leave - I have had to replace bulbs twice at the testing station. Both times the bulb provider hasn’t charged me. I think there is still a slight novelty about females at testing stations ��
You want to make sure the revs are up before doing the brake tests so that your air pressure gauges are at maximum.
You do need to concentrate a bit when they are underneath & telling you what to do..... the last place I went used a walkie talkie but still sounded like he was under water.

I must admit the very first time I did it was at a huge place with multiple lorries being done at once which was slightly daunting but every time since it’s been fine & I don’t get too offended by the ‘can you manage love’ comments.
Occasionally acting a bit dum & blonde helps ����
 
thank you Chiffy's daughter :D

my lorry mechanic says he has 100% MOT pass rate-and considering how much I've just spent getting it how I want it, it had better pass :D but will double check bulbs etc on the day.
 
pennyturner said:
When I last went, they insisted it was tested loaded, but not with horses. Had to fill up 6 oil drums with water. Do they still do that?
Click to expand...

I used to have to put loaded oil drums in the back in order to pass the brake test. First time I took it without and it failed and they advised me to put weight in the back. I did ask if I could put a horse in but they weren't keen on that!
 
I take mine most years. I consider it a bit like going to the dentist!! (glad when its all over). They have always been very kind and helpful - despite my incompetence in following instructions!!

Some tips - check that you know where all your lights are - obvious I know but in the heat of the moment its easy to forget to turn the lights on when checking the fog light!! Check horn/ running lights /headlights before setting off ... they do check the filler cap now - by coincidence mine was brand new as I had lost the old one after filling up. I would remove the gas bottle - avoids them saying it is not securely fastened. Remove hub caps as mentioned above. Check tyre treads. Check the obvious and it avoids an 'easy fail"!

At the end of the day it depends very much on the tester - some are more lenient with horse boxes as they know they don't do many miles in a year unlike trucks which are on the road every day.
 
Its easy - done it myself twice and ancient lorry passed both times. I always send it to the garage though the week before for an MOT prep! Scariest bit is driving over the open pit!

You drive forwards to the end and the bloke goes down in the pit - open both your front windows as he shouts instructions from down there! Clear all the crap out from inside your windscreen ie rosettes, brushes, paperwork etc (well I have loads of stuff down there!). Then he gets you to drive back a bit onto a rolling road bit and you have to start the engine and then brake when the light turns green or something - same for front and back. Know where all your lights are ie fog lights, side and main beam. Make sure there are NO leaks of oil as they are VERY VERY VERY hot on pollution!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top