E30 Zone

I've taken my wife's E46 in today for an oil service, and it also needs an MOT. I've been told that any of the below could be MOT failures, and wonder if I'm getting fed a line or if it's genuine:

Front Control Arm Bushes (slight play)
Rear Shock Absorber (Drivers - leaking)
Rear Tyres - (4mm tread but some scrubbing on inside)
Front Tyres - (2mm tread but some scrubbing on inside)

I understand that the legal limit for tread is 1.6mm, so from that side I'm probably OK, but is the scrubbing a potential failure?

Are the above really failures or are they more advisory?

Any advice gratefully received, thanks.

use the e30

Hi
as written, only 1 may be a direct failure

The play needs to be excessive, not slight
The shock absorber seal can seep but cannot leak where the seal has clearly failed
The tread depth must be at least 1.6mm across the central 3/4 all the way round. This means the outer 1/8th either side can be below 1.6mm, allowing for a certain amount of scrubbing.

See the testers manual; for exact details on all items;

http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/d ... guides.htm

oil service, they give it a quick look over and see if they can drum up some scare mongering business, same as the "free winter checks" some places do

If the front tyres are down to 2mm, they'll be worth changing anyway. Depending on how they're scrubbing can indicate a fault with tracking.

As above, the shock absorber has to pissing out oil. Some older ones will have a small amount of seepage

Again, as above, the rear front control arm bush needs to have EXCESSIVE movement. That's how it's worded. All bushes have some movement, overwise it'd be like driving without suspension.

The rear tyres, shouldn't be a concern. As long as they're not excessively worn. Again, look for problems with tracking, probably due to bush wear or rear suspension component replacement without tracking.

My experience over the last few MOT's is that tyres get a mention as an advisory every time unless they are virtually new.

My MOT place is very fair - I always wait whilst the test is done and get the tester to show me firsthand anything he's going to fail the car on but tyres have seemed to be mentioned on pretty much every MOT I've had done since the test went electronic - even if theyve got loads of tread on them.

Cheers guys, appreciate the feedback. Sometimes you get the feeling that you are being strung along, but without the expert knowledge it's hard to prove. From the above it looks like I'd be unlucky on the front tyres to fail even though they need a change soon, and as long as the shocker isn't pishing fluid I should at least get through the MOT, but that needs doing sooner rather than later.

I hate being held to ransom by garages that think they can turn you over. Oh BTW, did I mention that it's a dealer that's saying all this? I've just done some simple internet priceups, and the tyres they are quoting are twice the regular price, and so is the shocker.....

They don't call them Stealers for nothing I suppose......

I use an 'we only MoT' place on the basis that they only get paid when the thing passes,this eliminates the 'money grabbers' who fail a car on things that 'sound' expensive to fix.

The tester tells me what is wrong,I fix it,he passes!

I try only to present a car that will pass as a point of honour,I count fail's as my mistake.My avarage is about 50%....

It is a inherent flaw in a system that allows the company that does the repair test the repairs at least with our test system (nct Ireland ) its independent, the only problem is that the differing standards of individual testers makes it nearly impossible to tell someone if there car will pass or not.

Update:

It failed the MOT on 3 things, the leaking shocker, "excessive play" in the Control Arm Bushes, and a split in the backbox which is apparently causing the emissions to be too high????

I'm getting the shocker and the Control Arm Bushes replaced, but is the exhaust issue real or a con?

If it's real, does anyone know where the best place to get a back box fitted from is???

Cheers fellas.

A split in the backbox would fail I'd have thought if it was only a large leak, shouldn't effect the emissions though? I'd say check it out to be honest and if it's only a small tear then just patch it up with a halfords kit or some gungum as that'll do the job for the time being.

Any garage should be able to fit an exhaust if you don't want to DIY, maybe have a word with meatballs82 to see what's the best option from euro car parts if you want to supply your own system.

The leak in the backbox would cause a high lambda reading as there is too much oxygen getting in. Which would fail the test.

Thanks fellas.

I will get the car back a little later so will be able to take a look myself. If it's fixable with some gungum or something then I'll go for that until I get past Christmas and hopefully it will pass.

Really appreciate the advice.

Depending where the split is you can get exhaust repair kits. Maybe try one of these and alot of gum gum mate.

im in the tyre game myself, Your right bout 3/4 of the tread needs to be above 1.6mm

but if your tracking is out and your getting more wear on the inside or outside and looks baby smooth. then that can be a failure. as it kinda cancels out the 3/4 rule.

scrubbing on side walls and tyre perishment. can be a failure to a certain extent depending on if its major or minor.

Its an e46 so those pesky control arm bushes will be fucked, they always are.
The leaking damper will be two fold, firstay the leak is visible and heavy enough to be of concern, secondly the damping may have been effected.
The back box will cause odd emissions as a lot of the time leaks draw air i think rather than out. Think like the way the air flow in a spray gun sucks tenant up the feed tube, the flow lowers the local pressure.