MOT and Speedometer

[Harry Bloomfield]

Yes. 300 miles is no problem. My mum hardly used her car. One year she had only covered 40 miles and 26 of those were done by me bringing it back after one test and taking it in the following year. The tester won’t be concerned in any way about the mileage - it could even have 100,000 miles less than the previous year. All the tester has to do is record the mileage at the time of the test. If you didn’t give them the previous years certificate, how would they know what mileage it had last year?

Mileage at MOT time, is recorded on the website, isn't it?

Checking the MOT history, often flags up that mileometers, have been wound back.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

that applies to every bit being tested.

they only drive it 10 yards into the workshop so be difficult to see if it is working.

The speed does show, on the rolling road brake test.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

The speed does show, on the rolling road brake test.

Unlikely to be looking at speedo doing a brake test

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Unlikely to be looking at speedo doing a brake test

Er, why not? The rollers run get up to speed, the speedo shows a speed, they then apply the brakes, and the braking effort shows on the display.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Er, why not? The rollers run get up to speed, the speedo shows a speed, they then apply the brakes, and the braking effort shows on the display.

And where would you be looking?

At the brake gauges or the dashboard ?

I check the Speedo on the drive into the test bay . Test 1 item at a time as required.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I check the Speedo on the drive into the test bay . Test 1 item at a time as required.

That is checking one item at a time - speedo, then brakes.. You have more time to check the speedo when running up to speed, on the rolling road, than when manoeuvring into the test bay.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

That is checking one item at a time - speedo, then brakes.. You have more time to check the speedo when running up to speed, on the rolling road, than when manoeuvring into the test bay.

Says the MOT tester.

 

[Munroast]

its working at the moment - I will just have to kep my fingers crossed
I can't see it passing anyway

it was sad the other day, just put a fivers worth of diesel in (probably its last drink) keep it going for its last two days

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

its working at the moment - I will just have to kep my fingers crossed

What is not working, on the speedo? Is it an old mechanical spring wire drive, electronic driven?

 

[Munroast]

What is not working, on the speedo? Is it an old mechanical spring wire drive, electronic driven?

no, its electronic in that it has a magnet sensor thing on the driveshaft - must be a loose or dirty connection, goes off for few miles then comes back on

quite happy without it
1500 revs in 3rd for 20mph
1500 in 4th for 30
and I doubt I ever get above 50 these days

 

[Mottie]

That is checking one item at a time - speedo, then brakes.. You have more time to check the speedo when running up to speed, on the rolling road, than when manoeuvring into the test bay.

Seems the easiest way. Put the rollers on, quick glance at the speedo, apply the brakes. What could be simpler?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

no, its electronic in that it has a magnet sensor thing on the driveshaft - must be a loose or dirty connection, goes off for few miles then comes back on

quite happy without it
1500 revs in 3rd for 20mph
1500 in 4th for 30
and I doubt I ever get above 50 these days

In that case, it could be a simple reed switch, used as a sensor. They can go bad after a few years, but worth checking connections.

 

[Old Salt]

Lots of places will repair speedos, check out the classic car scene.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Seems the easiest way. Put the rollers on, quick glance at the speedo, apply the brakes. What could be simpler?

Well I've checked this out with my local trainers, and it seems you are giving out poor, and old, advice

This isn't verbatim, but the points they made

As you should be aware, mileage and speedos have been the subject of very recent advice reference accuracy recording

You do not prove the Speedo is working, you must prove it isn't, in order to fail it .

You should not attempt to check it whilst doing any other part of the test as it is too easily forgotten to be written down if distracted by doing other things at the same time, as per all parts of the test. Remember your training .

It should be noted on the drive into the test area with the other pre checks required. Not working at this stage is not a fail, nor an actual test, but a reminder to fully check. If however it is working at this stage no further test is required.

It may be that the only way to determine if it is not working is by conducting a road test. Fail it ONLY if it does not work at this stage. If in any doubt the benefit of the doubt should apply.

We recognise that some testers may not do the test this way but if a complaint was raised and the investigation was not conducted as advised the tester is likely to be marked down. All current and future tester training will be this way.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

its working at the moment - I will just have to kep my fingers crossed
I can't see it passing anyway

it was sad the other day, just put a fivers worth of diesel in (probably its last drink) keep it going for its last two days

If the Speedo is the only item that would fail, I think you would be very unlucky to fail the MOT test.

Benefit of the doubt and all that, as the mileage is specifically different from the last test