MOT advisories

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Thu 5 Jul 2018 23:19
MOT advisories - badbusdriver

I'm no mechanic but that does not seem odd to me. An engine which run very low on oil, or out completely, could seize. This in turn could cause an accident.

Edited by badbusdriver on 05/07/2018 at 23:20

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Thu 5 Jul 2018 23:30
MOT advisories - elekie&a/c doctor
Checking the engine oil level is not specifically part of the test,but any diligent tester would want to dip the oil before doing an emission test,where the engine needs to rev around 3k+.As far as advisories go,a tester can advise anything if he feels that something needs to be brought to the attention of the driver.
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Thu 5 Jul 2018 23:34
MOT advisories - Big John

Looking at the MOT hstory of a car, I noticed several years ago one of the advisories was 'low oil'. Is checking oil level really part of an MOT?

Don't think it's an MOT requirement but they do check the car is fit to be MOT'd. When the emissions tests first came out there were a few engine "issues" due to things like cam belt failure during the diesel test.

The test can be stopped if your car is too dirty as well !

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Fri 6 Jul 2018 10:23
MOT advisories - Andrew-T

<< The test can be stopped if your car is too dirty as well ! >>

That was an arrestable offence in Moscow 30 years ago - maybe still is.

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Fri 6 Jul 2018 13:06
MOT advisories - John F

The MoT test is valuable reassurance for amateurs who do their own servicing that their car is in good condition. You get all the professional checks a garage does during a routine 'service' for a fraction of the price.

Advisories can come and go according to the diligence level of the examiner. A suspension bush advisory appeared in 2013 for my Audi, disappeared for two years, then reappeared in 2016. I finally decided to have its roll bar drop link bushes replaced last year when the deterioration rattle was eventually felt through the steering wheel.

Advisories are a valuable source of income for garages, as perfectionists and those who merely worry a bit tend to have the remedial work done whether necessary or not.

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Fri 6 Jul 2018 21:52
MOT advisories - Andrew-T

You get all the professional checks a garage does during a routine 'service' for a fraction of the price.

I thought the MoT test and a 'full service' were rather different things. A service covers mostly the fluids and filters under the bonnet, and condition of brakes. The MoT test examines more things under the car, looks for the progress of wear in moving parts, and only involves the engine to check exhaust emissions. I would hope a conscientious examiner might spot low oil or brake fluid, but I don't think it is part of the test. And the test doesn't allow any 'dismantling'.

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Fri 6 Jul 2018 19:25
MOT advisories - stan10

Checking the actual oil level probably isn't part of the test, but checking the dashboard warning lights is nowadays, so my guess is that the "low oil level" light stayed on.

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Fri 6 Jul 2018 21:43
MOT advisories - Leif
I’ve lost track of the number of times something has been mentioned at an MOT as an advisory, only to be never mentioned again. Eh? How does that work then? Do issues evaporate? I can only think they are trying it on to get work, or someone is incompetent. This only happened with a Ford dealer. The same one that failed a neighbours car for having rusted brake cables. They were copper. He complained to the authorities and won.

I imagine checking oil is part of the MOT as it checks whether the car is safe and driveable.
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