In message <5ad7d9ce87charles@candehope.me.uk>, charles
<charles@candehope.me.uk> writes
>In article <YzFZ$wyTnH5kFwyo@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk>,
> Tim Lamb <tim@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <4vf*i1roz@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, Theo
>> <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> writes
>> >Tim Lamb <tim@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> >> It's a shopping trolley!
>> >>
>> >> My Passat does any real travelling.
>> >>
>> >> The intention has been to replace it with a battery job but the removal
>> >> of incentives and the steep price rises rather off putting.
>> >
>> >Battery jobs have come down a lot on the used market recently - after all
>> >the supply chain issues have sorted themselves out, it looks like prices
>> >reverted to what would be expected of a car of that age.
>> >
>> >If you're replacing the Passat, a <2yo MG5 is 13.4k, for example:
>> >https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308211048832
>> >
>> >The MG ZS can be had around the 9-12k mark.
>> >(the 9k example on Autotrader currently is a CatS though)
>
>> The Passat is a keeper. Low mileage and low fuel consumption. Carbon
>> build up a worry but it has not had the VW (cheat) conversion:-)
>
>> Changing cars at our age always a worry. The dash on my daughter's Tesla
>> is beyond understanding:-(
>
>I wonder how old you actually are, I bought my (new) electric Skoda at the
>age of 81. No problems.
I'm in my 80th. year:-)

I'm not likely to be the driver. I suppose she is relatively adept with
her i-phone but pretty much inept at anything digital.
>

--
Tim Lamb

On 22/08/2023 10:03, Tim Lamb wrote:

>
> Changing cars at our age always a worry. The dash on my daughter's Tesla
> is beyond understanding:-(
>

These days you may have to RTFM :) and you have to find the menu item
that allows you to see text.

Do different to much software where many menu items default to just
meaningless icons

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

Tim Lamb wrote:

> We have family in North London so ULEZ is an issue.

18-22 y/o cars are ULEZ compliant

alan_m wrote:

> Tim Lamb wrote:
>
>> he dash on my daughter's Tesla is beyond understanding:-(
>
> These days you may have to RTFM :) and you have to find the menu item
> that allows you to see text.
>
> Do different to much software where many menu items default to just
> meaningless icons

I don't worry about understanding modern cars, but I *really* don't want
touch screen(s) in a car.

In article <uSlE3o0R3H5kFw3e@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk>, Tim Lamb
<tim@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <5ad7d9ce87charles@candehope.me.uk>, charles
> <charles@candehope.me.uk> writes
> >In article <YzFZ$wyTnH5kFwyo@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk>, Tim Lamb
> > <tim@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> >> In message <4vf*i1roz@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, Theo
> >> <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> writes
> >> >Tim Lamb <tim@marfordfarm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> >> >> It's a shopping trolley!
> >> >>
> >> >> My Passat does any real travelling.
> >> >>
> >> >> The intention has been to replace it with a battery job but the
> >> >> removal of incentives and the steep price rises rather off putting.
> >> >
> >> >Battery jobs have come down a lot on the used market recently - after
> >> >all the supply chain issues have sorted themselves out, it looks like
> >> >prices reverted to what would be expected of a car of that age.
> >> >
> >> >If you're replacing the Passat, a <2yo MG5 is 13.4k, for example:
> >> >https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308211048832
> >> >
> >> >The MG ZS can be had around the 9-12k mark. (the 9k example on
> >> >Autotrader currently is a CatS though)
> >
> >> The Passat is a keeper. Low mileage and low fuel consumption. Carbon
> >> build up a worry but it has not had the VW (cheat) conversion:-)
> >
> >> Changing cars at our age always a worry. The dash on my daughter's
> >> Tesla is beyond understanding:-(
> >
> >I wonder how old you actually are, I bought my (new) electric Skoda at
> >the age of 81. No problems.
> I'm in my 80th. year:-)

> I'm not likely to be the driver. I suppose she is relatively adept with
> her i-phone but pretty much inept at anything digital.
> >
The only 'digital' thing that I'm aware of is the speedometer. There are
numbers displayed rather than a needle over a dial.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4té
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

In message <kkjecuFebetU1@mid.individual.net>, Andy Burns
<usenet@andyburns.uk> writes
>Tim Lamb wrote:
>
>> We have family in North London so ULEZ is an issue.
>
>18-22 y/o cars are ULEZ compliant

I have tractors older than that but it is 25 miles away.

--
Tim Lamb

On 21/08/2023 19:32, Joe wrote:

> There's still a bit of flexibility and subjectivity in MOT testing. You
> want the kind of tester who will replace a failed bulb during the test
> and not demand a re-test. Fortunately I found one like that and he's
> still in business about twenty years later.

One way is to combine the MOT with a routine servicing on the grounds
that most potential MOT failures should be covered by the service.

--
Max Demian

On 22/08/2023 10:15, Tim Lamb wrote:
> In message <uc1t4f$2baen$5@dont-email.me>, The Natural Philosopher
> <tnp@invalid.invalid> writes
>> On 22/08/2023 09:42, Tim Lamb wrote:
>>
>>> Having studied the rust on the calliper holding bolts, I am nervous
>>> of  taking on the job anyway.
>>
>> Its not the rust that you can see, it's the rust that you cannot...
>>
>> Most bolts will break free with a 2 ft breaker bar and a good fitting
>> socket.
>>
>> Ive never seen a caliper bolt actually shear.
>
> I don't suppose you have attempted that on a 13 year old vehicle!

No. Mostly mine were 15-25 years old back in the day :-

>
> I have decided to stick with the MOT appointment. The real issue is that
> a fail clashes with a planned holiday such that the MOT will have
> expired before I can organise repairs.
>
Well you wont need the car on holiday will you?

--
“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the
other is to refuse to believe what is true.”

—Soren Kierkegaard

The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> On 22/08/2023 10:15, Tim Lamb wrote:
> > I have decided to stick with the MOT appointment. The real issue is that
> > a fail clashes with a planned holiday such that the MOT will have
> > expired before I can organise repairs.
> >
> Well you wont need the car on holiday will you?

The problem being needing to pay a full retest fee if the faults aren't
fixed within 14 days of the MOT. It is often a race to get it booked in and
done in time.

Although there is the option of leaving it with the testing station to fix
it while you are away - depends if their quote is likely to be fair or not.

Theo

On Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:49:07 +0100, Theo wrote:

> Tim+ <tim.downie@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Second hand EV prices are coming down. Always worth having a shufty on
>> Autotrader.
>>
>> Eg.
>> https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307219911848?sort=price-
asc&advertising-location=at_cars&fuel-type=Electric&include-delivery-
option=on&postcode=KA7%204QX&fromsra
>
> Now *that's* a shopping trolley. About as crashworthy too.
>
>> More seriously, plenty of old Leafs around.
>
> They're a fair option if you don't need a lot of range. Because there's
> only an air cooled battery, they suffer more from battery degradation
> than any other make, especially ones that have seen a lot of rapid
> charging. But that means the examples with ~50 miles of range can be
> picked up cheap, and shopping trollies or daily commuter cars often
> don't need much range, so...
>
> Also worth looking at Zoes (basically a Clio EV) - many of them are
> battery leased but the lease can be bought out for about 1-2k. The Zoe
> has proper liquid battery cooling so should last longer.
>
> Theo

Zoe's battery is air-cooled, but properly. It has a complete fan, chiller
and heater group just for the battery.

Zoe's motor is also air-cooled, with a big fan and duct the first thing
you see when you open the bonnet.

The electronics are water-cooled with the usual radiator and header tank.

nib

In message <uc24ih$2cjui$1@dont-email.me>, Max Demian
<max_demian@bigfoot.com> writes
>On 21/08/2023 19:32, Joe wrote:
>
>> There's still a bit of flexibility and subjectivity in MOT testing. You
>> want the kind of tester who will replace a failed bulb during the test
>> and not demand a re-test. Fortunately I found one like that and he's
>> still in business about twenty years later.
>
>One way is to combine the MOT with a routine servicing on the grounds
>that most potential MOT failures should be covered by the service.

Quite. Excellent plan if use was anywhere near 10k/annum. Currently less
than 2k.
>

--
Tim Lamb

In message <uc297i$2dele$1@dont-email.me>, The Natural Philosopher
<tnp@invalid.invalid> writes
>On 22/08/2023 10:15, Tim Lamb wrote:
>> In message <uc1t4f$2baen$5@dont-email.me>, The Natural Philosopher
>><tnp@invalid.invalid> writes
>>> On 22/08/2023 09:42, Tim Lamb wrote:
>>>
>>>> Having studied the rust on the calliper holding bolts, I am nervous
>>>>of  taking on the job anyway.
>>>
>>> Its not the rust that you can see, it's the rust that you cannot...
>>>
>>> Most bolts will break free with a 2 ft breaker bar and a good
>>>fitting socket.
>>>
>>> Ive never seen a caliper bolt actually shear.
>> I don't suppose you have attempted that on a 13 year old vehicle!
>
>No. Mostly mine were 15-25 years old back in the day :-
>
>> I have decided to stick with the MOT appointment. The real issue is
>>that a fail clashes with a planned holiday such that the MOT will
>>have expired before I can organise repairs.
>>
>Well you wont need the car on holiday will you?

I plan to take the other one. I'll be admiring the windmills as we go
through West Suffolk:-)
>
>

--
Tim Lamb

On Tue, 22 Aug 2023 10:48:01 +0100, Andy Burns wrote:

> alan_m wrote:
>
>> Tim Lamb wrote:
>>
>>> he dash on my daughter's Tesla is beyond understanding:-(
>>
>> These days you may have to RTFM :) and you have to find the menu item
>> that allows you to see text.
>>
>> Do different to much software where many menu items default to just
>> meaningless icons
>
> I don't worry about understanding modern cars, but I *really* don't want
> touch screen(s) in a car.

They're actually a lot easier to use than the up-down-left-right-OK
buttons of the previous generation's info systems. The much bigger
screens help to.

nib

On 22/08/2023 13:54, Tim Lamb wrote:
> In message <uc24ih$2cjui$1@dont-email.me>, Max Demian
> <max_demian@bigfoot.com> writes
>> On 21/08/2023 19:32, Joe wrote:
>>
>>> There's still a bit of flexibility and subjectivity in MOT testing. You
>>> want the kind of tester who will replace a failed bulb during the test
>>> and not demand a re-test. Fortunately I found one like that and he's
>>> still in business about twenty years later.
>>
>> One way is to combine the MOT with a routine servicing on the grounds
>> that most potential MOT failures should be covered by the service.
>
> Quite. Excellent plan if use was anywhere near 10k/annum. Currently
> less than 2k.
>
Even more reason to give it an annual service then. Very low mileage
isn't necessarily a Good Thing !

Servicing intervals have always been a specified mileage, or a specified
time limit (typically 12 months) for that reason

In message <5vf*PWsoz@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, Theo
<theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> writes
>The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>> On 22/08/2023 10:15, Tim Lamb wrote:
>> > I have decided to stick with the MOT appointment. The real issue is that
>> > a fail clashes with a planned holiday such that the MOT will have
>> > expired before I can organise repairs.
>> >
>> Well you wont need the car on holiday will you?
>
>The problem being needing to pay a full retest fee if the faults aren't
>fixed within 14 days of the MOT. It is often a race to get it booked in and
>done in time.
Assuming they let me drive it home:-)
>
>Although there is the option of leaving it with the testing station to fix
>it while you are away - depends if their quote is likely to be fair or not.

Current thinking is to ask for a quote. Bit tight within the 14 days to
get someone else to do the work and take it back but just about
possible. Holidays are a nuisance!

Current part exchange value about 2k.

--
Tim Lamb

On 22/08/2023 14:03, nib wrote:
> On Tue, 22 Aug 2023 10:48:01 +0100, Andy Burns wrote:
>
>> alan_m wrote:
>>
>>> Tim Lamb wrote:
>>>
>>>> he dash on my daughter's Tesla is beyond understanding:-(
>>>
>>> These days you may have to RTFM :) and you have to find the menu item
>>> that allows you to see text.
>>>
>>> Do different to much software where many menu items default to just
>>> meaningless icons
>>
>> I don't worry about understanding modern cars, but I *really* don't want
>> touch screen(s) in a car.
>
> They're actually a lot easier to use than the up-down-left-right-OK
> buttons of the previous generation's info systems. The much bigger
> screens help to.
>
> nib

The problems occur when the basic function you want is two or three
levels of screen down. Not ideal when actually driving.

The worst sat nav screen I've seen was in a French car where after tying
the first few letters of a place name half the keyboard would be blanked
out because the software was predicting what you were going to write and
it HAD to be right, no question about it.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

In message <kkjq7rFfhfnU2@mid.individual.net>, Mark Carver
<mark.carver@invalid.invalid> writes
>On 22/08/2023 13:54, Tim Lamb wrote:
>> In message <uc24ih$2cjui$1@dont-email.me>, Max Demian
>><max_demian@bigfoot.com> writes
>>> On 21/08/2023 19:32, Joe wrote:
>>>
>>>> There's still a bit of flexibility and subjectivity in MOT testing. You
>>>> want the kind of tester who will replace a failed bulb during the test
>>>> and not demand a re-test. Fortunately I found one like that and he's
>>>> still in business about twenty years later.
>>>
>>> One way is to combine the MOT with a routine servicing on the
>>>grounds that most potential MOT failures should be covered by the
>>>service.
>>
>> Quite. Excellent plan if use was anywhere near 10k/annum. Currently
>>less than 2k.
>>
>Even more reason to give it an annual service then. Very low mileage
>isn't necessarily a Good Thing !
>
>Servicing intervals have always been a specified mileage, or a
>specified time limit (typically 12 months) for that reason

So. You are going to have the engine oil/filter, pollen filter etc.
changed unnecessarily?

I can check tyre tread depth, working lights, indicators, screen wipers
etc. for free.

Rust on brake pipes, chassis, rubber bush faults etc. not so easy but
still not hugely age related for a garaged vehicle.
>

--
Tim Lamb

On 22/08/2023 14:37, Tim Lamb wrote:
> In message <kkjq7rFfhfnU2@mid.individual.net>, Mark Carver
> <mark.carver@invalid.invalid> writes
>> On 22/08/2023 13:54, Tim Lamb wrote:
>>> In message <uc24ih$2cjui$1@dont-email.me>, Max Demian
>>> <max_demian@bigfoot.com> writes
>>>> On 21/08/2023 19:32, Joe wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> There's still a bit of flexibility and subjectivity in MOT
>>>>> testing. You
>>>>> want the kind of tester who will replace a failed bulb during the
>>>>> test
>>>>> and not demand a re-test. Fortunately I found one like that and he's
>>>>> still in business about twenty years later.
>>>>
>>>> One way is to combine the MOT with a routine servicing on the
>>>> grounds  that most potential MOT failures should be covered by the
>>>> service.
>>>
>>> Quite. Excellent plan if use was anywhere near 10k/annum. Currently
>>> less than 2k.
>>>
>> Even more reason to give it an annual service then. Very low mileage
>> isn't necessarily a Good Thing !
>>
>> Servicing intervals have always been a specified mileage, or a
>> specified time limit (typically 12 months) for that reason
>
> So. You are going to have the engine oil/filter, pollen filter etc.
> changed unnecessarily?
>
> I can check tyre tread depth, working lights, indicators, screen
> wipers etc. for free.
>
> Rust on brake pipes, chassis, rubber bush faults etc. not so easy but
> still not hugely age related for a garaged vehicle.
>

I did use the term 'isn't necessarily..........'

The exhaust system could well have water permanently sat in it, if used
only for short journeys (exhaust gases never get a chance to get hot
enough to boil the water out) so the system will rust from the inside.
UV doesn't do wiper blades much good, (obviously not a problem if garaged)

If the garage isn't properly ventilated, cars will sweat when put away
in there (even worse when put away wet) 'Killing with kindness' is one
expression I've heard. Car Ports are better really

Yes, OK, lights, tyre depth etc obviously be a problem, although in my
experience bulbs work perfectly until the very moment they don't, which
can be anything from 30 days to 30 years !

On 22/08/2023 10:45, Andy Burns wrote:
> Tim Lamb wrote:
>
>> We have family in North London so ULEZ is an issue.
>
> 18-22 y/o cars are ULEZ compliant
Petrol yes. Diesel, some cars as young as 8 yrs old are non compliant

On Tue, 22 Aug 2023 14:32:29 +0100, alan_m wrote:

> On 22/08/2023 14:03, nib wrote:
>> On Tue, 22 Aug 2023 10:48:01 +0100, Andy Burns wrote:
>>
>>> alan_m wrote:
>>>
>>>> Tim Lamb wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> he dash on my daughter's Tesla is beyond understanding:-(
>>>>
>>>> These days you may have to RTFM :) and you have to find the menu item
>>>> that allows you to see text.
>>>>
>>>> Do different to much software where many menu items default to just
>>>> meaningless icons
>>>
>>> I don't worry about understanding modern cars, but I *really* don't
>>> want touch screen(s) in a car.
>>
>> They're actually a lot easier to use than the up-down-left-right-OK
>> buttons of the previous generation's info systems. The much bigger
>> screens help to.
>>
>> nib
>
> The problems occur when the basic function you want is two or three
> levels of screen down. Not ideal when actually driving.
>
> The worst sat nav screen I've seen was in a French car where after tying
> the first few letters of a place name half the keyboard would be blanked
> out because the software was predicting what you were going to write and
> it HAD to be right, no question about it.

I suppose you have to expect that functions that you need while driving
are not buried several levels down!

My Renault mostly does that. For example most of the radio/music
functions are also on a satellite by the steering wheel, heater a/c is
knobs and switches, driving mode is a switch, there's not much that you
really need to do while driving on the touchscreen except occasionally
acknowledge a message that annoyingly won't time out.

Have to agree on sat nav though, which in its normal mode is doing a live
Google search and sometimes won't let you interrupt it. It's good though
as it'll find almost anything, lat/long, address, postcode, business
name, ... from one search box. It found "Corton Beach" bang on the car
park for example.
nib

Max Demian wrote:

> One way is to combine the MOT with a routine servicing on the grounds
> that most potential MOT failures should be covered by the service.

I quite like keeping service and MOT separate, used the same guy for
ages, he knows I "go away" as a customer every few years when I change
cars, but i come back when they get to MOT age, he's seen my last five cars.

Anyway, one year car had just been serviced and was days away from
warranty expiring, I took it for its first MOT, it passed but he
mentioned oil leaking from the seals of the rear diff (fancy one with
two extra clutches for torque vectoring) I took it back to dealer, they
had to replace the diff and both rear drive shafts which took them 2
days ... I think he saved me a small fortune that day.

On 22/08/2023 09:42, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 22/08/2023 09:20, Tim Lamb wrote:
>> In message <uc1ls6$2ae58$1@dont-email.me>, The Natural Philosopher
>> <tnp@invalid.invalid> writes
>>> On 21/08/2023 19:04, Tim Lamb wrote:
>>>> I am sure this will have been done elsewhere but I suspect this will
>>>> be  quicker:-)
>>>>  General experience of vehicle testers and minimum residual
>>>> thickness of  brake discs.
>>>> My wife's mk9 Ford Fiesta has a minimum thickness figure of 21mm
>>>> cast to  the outer shaft.
>>>> Careful measurement with my trusty imperial micrometer gave averages
>>>> of  0.843 and 0.837 which I reckon to be 21.41mm and 21.26mm.
>>>>  The pads have a bit of life left so my intention is to argue a
>>>> threatened fail with the tester.
>>>>  Any thoughts?
>>> MOT standards are well below what I would consider 'safe driving' .
>>> Don't be such a skinflint. Replace the lot.
>>
>> It's a shopping trolley!
>
> Still needs brakes - even more so, as urban driving is covered in total
> arseholes and idiots. Many on bicycles.
>
> I pulled out on front of a car doing 10mph and turning left into my
> road, only to find a motorcycle had decided to overtake him.  He threw
> the machine down and slid into me. Got up and apologised profusely. He
> had a bent fairing and a grazed knee.
>
> If that had been a pedal cyclist today I would probably have been banned
> from driving. My fault for not realizing he would never have read the
> highway code and the rule about not overtaking at junctions.
>
>>
>> My Passat does any real travelling.
>>
>> The intention has been to replace it with a battery job but the
>> removal of incentives and the steep price rises rather off putting.
>
> A set of discs and pads will cost you way less than a battery car.
>
> At some stage those discs are going to be judged to be scored beyond
> safety. That is in fact far more relevant than thickness of either - if
> you think about it pad and disk thickness is about brake fade at high
> speed. But *scored* disks and pads is all about braking force available
> at *any* speed.
>
>
Shopping trolley cars do not travel at high speed though.

In message <kkjtfvFfhfnU3@mid.individual.net>, Mark Carver
<mark.carver@invalid.invalid> writes
>On 22/08/2023 14:37, Tim Lamb wrote:
>> In message <kkjq7rFfhfnU2@mid.individual.net>, Mark Carver
>><mark.carver@invalid.invalid> writes
>>> On 22/08/2023 13:54, Tim Lamb wrote:
>>>> In message <uc24ih$2cjui$1@dont-email.me>, Max Demian
>>>><max_demian@bigfoot.com> writes
>>>>> On 21/08/2023 19:32, Joe wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> There's still a bit of flexibility and subjectivity in MOT
>>>>>>testing. You
>>>>>> want the kind of tester who will replace a failed bulb during the
>>>>>>
>>>>>> and not demand a re-test. Fortunately I found one like that and he's
>>>>>> still in business about twenty years later.
>>>>>
>>>>> One way is to combine the MOT with a routine servicing on the
>>>>>grounds  that most potential MOT failures should be covered by the
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Quite. Excellent plan if use was anywhere near 10k/annum. Currently
>>>>less than 2k.
>>>>
>>> Even more reason to give it an annual service then. Very low mileage
>>>isn't necessarily a Good Thing !
>>>
>>> Servicing intervals have always been a specified mileage, or a
>>>specified time limit (typically 12 months) for that reason
>>
>> So. You are going to have the engine oil/filter, pollen filter etc.
>>changed unnecessarily?
>>
>> I can check tyre tread depth, working lights, indicators, screen
>>wipers etc. for free.
>>
>> Rust on brake pipes, chassis, rubber bush faults etc. not so easy but
>>still not hugely age related for a garaged vehicle.
>>
>
>I did use the term 'isn't necessarily..........'

:-)
>
>The exhaust system could well have water permanently sat in it, if used
>only for short journeys (exhaust gases never get a chance to get hot
>enough to boil the water out) so the system will rust from the inside.
>UV doesn't do wiper blades much good, (obviously not a problem if garaged)

Diesels. Minimum round trip would be 10 miles apart from collecting the
Fish and Chips on Fridays. Rear box replaced on the Fiesta last year.
>
>If the garage isn't properly ventilated, cars will sweat when put away
>in there (even worse when put away wet) 'Killing with kindness' is one
>expression I've heard. Car Ports are better really

Agricultural barn so comfort not in the plan.
>
>Yes, OK, lights, tyre depth etc obviously be a problem, although in my
>experience bulbs work perfectly until the very moment they don't, which
>can be anything from 30 days to 30 years !

The VW put up a dashboard warning to tell me a *running* light was not
working!
>
>
>

--
Tim Lamb

On 22/08/2023 14:27, Tim Lamb wrote:
> In message <5vf*PWsoz@news.chiark.greenend.org.uk>, Theo
> <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> writes
>> The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>>> On 22/08/2023 10:15, Tim Lamb wrote:
>>> > I have decided to stick with the MOT appointment. The real issue is
>>> that
>>> > a fail clashes with a planned holiday such that the MOT will have
>>> > expired before I can organise repairs.
>>> >
>>> Well you wont need the car on holiday will you?
>>
>> The problem being needing to pay a full retest fee if the faults aren't
>> fixed within 14 days of the MOT.  It is often a race to get it booked
>> in and
>> done in time.
> Assuming they let me drive it home:-)
If you have an existing MOT that is valid they have *no legal right* to
prevent you from driving it.
And if they do, report them to the authorities.,

>>
>> Although there is the option of leaving it with the testing station to
>> fix
>> it while you are away - depends if their quote is likely to be fair or
>> not.
>
> Current thinking is to ask for a quote. Bit tight within the 14 days to
> get someone else to do the work and take it back but just about
> possible. Holidays are a nuisance!
>
Discs and pads are a 4 hr job for a competent shop.

> Current part exchange value about 2k.
>

--
“But what a weak barrier is truth when it stands in the way of an
hypothesis!”

Mary Wollstonecraft

On 22/08/2023 13:54, Tim Lamb wrote:
> In message <uc24ih$2cjui$1@dont-email.me>, Max Demian
> <max_demian@bigfoot.com> writes
>> On 21/08/2023 19:32, Joe wrote:
>>
>>> There's still a bit of flexibility and subjectivity in MOT testing. You
>>> want the kind of tester who will replace a failed bulb during the test
>>> and not demand a re-test. Fortunately I found one like that and he's
>>> still in business about twenty years later.
>>
>> One way is to combine the MOT with a routine servicing on the grounds
>> that most potential MOT failures should be covered by the service.
>
> Quite. Excellent plan if use was anywhere near 10k/annum. Currently less
> than 2k.
>>
>
Still worth an oil change and general check.

--
“But what a weak barrier is truth when it stands in the way of an
hypothesis!”

Mary Wollstonecraft