What happened then ?
You fixed it but did you have to rebook it in again or did he give you a pass certificate there and then.?

 

He grumbled ok let's check it, so checked and gave pass. I have checked with DVLA and if headlight are aligned then no need to check this item.

 

I think your situation is a common thing. I've had a very similar experience that a fail certificate was issued and then immediately after the problem was sorted straight away the pass certificate was issued, especially if they have started the fail process. I've also had the situation with a garage that I'm a regular customer that if its something like a bulb gone, that they will change it before failing.

 

Unfortunately it’s all about statistics. The DVSA require MOT test centres to provide them with how many tests they have undertaken and the pass and fail ratio. Being electronic transfer means DVSA have real-time data. I guess too many passes raises a red flag within DVSA.

 

You are correct and they hold records of how many vehicles you pass and fail per month. They like you to have a 80% pass rate and in there opinion you are testing a vehicle correctly. They prefer a pass/advise approach to a mot tester and if you have a low pass rate the local inspector will pay you regular visits to find out why its low.

 

At least a fail for something as minor as the self levelling system which was then passed with no change to car's mileage on the same day isn't going to put off any future buyer if you sell the car.

I always wondered whether testers are monitored on their pass/fail rates.
I also wonder how thorough they are sometimes... verbally they say takes 45mins-1 hour but more often than not if I check the online MOT history website the test is completed well within 30mins.
and about 3 years ago on my old Astra it went through clean but when I did my own checks I found one of it's front subframe mountings in wheel arch area was so corroded the subframe wasn't attached to the chassis anymore, to be fair that garage then did a lovely fabrication/welding job to repair it a few weeks later.

 

The test is an average time and again if they are done fast then there is a good chance you might miss something important. Even though there are guidelines to follow its down to the individual tester and there opinion if the vehicle is safe to use on a public road.

 

I’d recommend finding another garage. My local independent would never do that. In fact they wouldn’t even ask for something like that, and likely wouldn’t even charge for it. I have been going there for 30+ years, we have a good relationship. In fact I gently remind him from time to time that his trainee mechanic set the inside of my treasured Mondeo ST24 alight. The back seats and whole carpet had to be replaced, and the car fumigated, but they sorted it out and I didn’t make a fuss about it. We can laugh about it now…

 

It is really annoying to fail on minor things. Years ago my Mondeo ST220 failed its second MOT because "Front Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)".
The actual part involved was just the sucker for the satnav mount although it never caused an obstruction for me even with the satnav fitted. After he failed it the tester removed the mount and then passed the car! Even more annoying was the fact that the exact same setup passed the first MOT and was failure free for the next 9 years that I owned it (with the satnav completely removed of course).

 

I agree it is annoying but you have to remember that MOT test centres are live-linked to the DVSA who monitor and inspect stations for compliance.

Some years ago I was told by a tester that DVSA staff have presented covert vehicles for testing that have known mechanical issues to see if the testers are being diligent.

As a result MOT testers follow the rules to the letter of the test manual to avoid being cautioned/reported for failure to record minor and major fail issues.

The days of common sense are long gone, resistance is futile 😂

 

Statistics, KPi's, all measured for a better world but the reality is, it isn't a better world at all. It's just more full of people who I call fast talkers and those full of self importance trying to justify their role.

That's not aimed at MOT testers by the way, just a generalisation of the world we live in.

 

KPi is an acronym thankfully I’ve not heard or had to meet for a long time. Another benefit of being retired 😂