Are some MOT testers just c**ts?

[andym]

Today I took the ninja for it's 3rd MOT since I've owned it, first one I had to buy a new rear tyre (fair enough), last one I got an advisory on the front discs being slightly worn (should have got one for the fuel tank being loose, but that was sorted with a washer).... today it failed at the only MOT station that's failed my VFR on imaginary problems (warped front discs, but it's passed at 2 other MOT stations with not so much as a word about them and front calipers binding**).

The fail list:
Throttle operating incorrectly (sticking) *dangerous* (the throttle has always been like this, and passed twice previously, but I stripped everything down, greased everything up and it was still sticking.... turns out the bar just needed a clean, or could have been sorted with a quick spray of WD40)

Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play (he thinks it's the one on the left hand side but best to have them all replaced... I asked how much they would be to replace.... "£40+VAT+labo".... "I'll get them online thanks", checked the rear wheel when I got home and didn't notice any movement)

Drive chain excessively loose (OK so the chain was slack, but I wouldn't have thought it was a fail )

Also advisories on the rear disc being worn, (in only 1500 miles since the last MOT too), and rear tyre being close to legal limit (which I knew anyway)



** Previously I've taken my VFR there for it's MOT and the brake test that I was shown was to lift the front of the bike, turn the wheel, then pull the lever to the handlebar with more force than would ever be used to stop and if the wheel didn't turn as quickly then the brakes were binding

[toby1]

Mine failed on 'supposed' as in not really corroded tyre valves ffs

[M.C]

I thought everyone had a friendly bike MOT guy. I've yet to find one that isn't

[Wonko The Sane]

if the VFR was failed for (what sounds like) a dodgy brake test then why did you go back there?

brake test is on rollers unless a very old set up, in which case a butchers scales and winch on the wall does the job of testing brake force.
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[redeem ouzzer]

Thought you couldn’t conduct an MOT without a rolling brake tester now? Haven’t seen the old strop and scales set up in over 20 years.
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Be a REAL MAN!

[Wonko The Sane]

[Fin]

Short answer yes, some are cunts however often when it comes to MOT they're just doing the job, if it's something that can be fixed with a bit of WD40 and adjusting the wheel then do it beforehand.

How clean was your bike? Shouldn't make a difference but it does.

Saying this most of the MOT testers I've come across have been nice and helpful, giving me small things and recommendations to get them through the MOT; split pins, reflector stickers, tips about switches, offering to fix headlight aim etc.

Have you looked into complaining to the VOSA about an unfair failure?

[chris-red]

[stinkwheel]

So. You've listed three fail points. Two of which you admit he was correct (albeit pedantic) about.

So the only thing you're actually arguing about is if the wheel bearing is duff. So. Maybe worth a check to see if he's got 3/3?

Advisories don't matter a damn. Maybe worth measuring your disc?

Remember, if they don't fail enough vehicles, VOSA get all mystery shopper on them. They've even parked round the corner from my local tester, stopped bikes coming out after an MOT and brought them back to inspect. He got hauled up on one "trick" bike they put in for an MOT. It should have failed on a missing o-ring inside the filler cap and slightly off headlamp aim.

So it's actually VOSA that are the cunts.

My local guy likes it when I leave a bike with him, he can fail it on something minor (headlamp aim is a classic), "fix" it then pass it again a couple of hours later.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Rogerborg]

[Tankie]

My local guy likes it when I leave a bike with him, he can fail it on something minor (headlamp aim is a classic), "fix" it then pass it again a couple of hours later.
____________________exactly, this works in everybody's favour and keeps vosa away
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Always learning, everyday is a school day

[andym]

[andym]

[dydey90]

I had my 125 failed for a binding front brake, which they’d charged me £60 to fix the previous week, when they’d failed me for a binding front brake.
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This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[stinkwheel]

[M.C]

[Courier265]

[Hawkeye1250FA]

Only used two different testers for all my bikes, both really good.

The one in Congleton made me a brew and we had a chat about his other bikes in there while he pushed and pulled and prodded and passed it. Albeit that was on the 2012 1250...

The one in wheelock spent about 10 mins on the 2002 bandit - pressed the horn (after market air horn) and it failed to "horn" the compressor just whirred. There's me expecting to have to get underneath it and rewire the original horn just for the mot........ but no. "It makes an audible sound mate - that's fine) 😂👍
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1993 RF400R - 2002 Bandit 1200 - 2012 1250 FA

[RhynoCZ]

[MarJay]

[Wonko The Sane]

[quote="stinkwheel"]

[ThatDippyTwat]

Yes, there are twunts out there - One local has a reputation (Well deserved) for failing anything that isn't shiny, stock or a restoration. Outright told me not to bring one of mine to him, he'd fail it. Sure this one is about to have VOSA crawl up his arse though, I know of 3 complaints made about him, with the bikes passing in various other places, untouched.

I have a Friendly tester the rat goes to - He's the polar opposite, if it's safe and he knows you look after/maintain it, it get's a ticket. He gives no fvcks about looks, noise etc. Has a wicked fast Turbo'd GSXR750 Survival bike.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[bugeye_bob]

[UnknownStuntm...]

[MCN]

MOT testing is not personality contest.
The testers test based on the guidelines set by government (after many years of testing and what is felt should be a minimum standard.)

Christ only know what sort of shite would grace our highways if there was no control.


I am more than happy with the standard.
I have had a few vehicles fail but the fail is IN MY OWN INTEREST it is not to make money for the garage or as a personal slight.
The vehicles had safety defects I was not aware of. The faults were remedied, vehicles re-tested and I was on my way again (personality intact).

If you take a ram-shack to a test station then please, please, I beg God that it fails if it is not safe.

Because of testing we do not have carnage on our roads like they do in other Shite-hole countries where safety is not a personal concern.

FFS, there is no rocket surgery required to prepare a motorcycle for an MOT test.
And it is the same test for a 7 BHP bike as it is for a 200 BHP bike.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.