ABS failure - and why I'm hoping it won't also be an MoT failure | Ask Honest John

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ABS failure - and why I'm hoping it won't also be an MoT failure

My Jaguar XK8 has a disable ABS button. The manual says it is okay to drive without ABS. In particular if ABS fails. As this warning appears even if ABS is turned off, the EU MoT rule that a warning will be a test failure. So the only solution is to buy a working ABS pump motor - £1215 from Jaguar.

Do you agree this is the only solution?

Asked on 23 November 2012 by Champion TWH

Answered by Honest John

Unless you can get the existing part reconditioned, yes. The ABS switch is for use in ice and snow when ABS can prevent the brakes from working at all. Even when a car is sliding in the snow with all wheels locked, there can be a 'snowplough' effect that eventually stops the car. But you can't stop a car when the brakes will not lock on at all.

Tags: running costs mot abs repairs

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