Phrases you never hear from a garage

The mechanics who looked after my vans and did the MOT on them were old school and excellent. On one occasion I dropped it of for MOT and gave the guy the keys. As I was getting into my car (that the Wife had followed me in), he shouted me back and told me to check the cab for personal possessions and ensure the windscreen was not obscured (he coughed a couple of times as he said it). He was telling me to remove the dashcam from the windscreen (without telling me) as it was an MOT fail. :giggle:
I never removed my dash cam as its a fixture, new one to me. :unsure:
 
Wording from .gov is vague in some ways ...

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Though had a mot fail on one of the landrovers for the 'wing box' TUAM Units ...

Fitted from the factory and standard vehicle equipment for A FFR

Quick word and all was resolved happily (though last time I took it there )

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I never removed my dash cam as its a fixture, new one to me. :unsure:
Anything that obscures the swept area of the screen is classed as an obstruction and a fail.

I know that they have made a few changes to the MOT, so maybe it has changed.
 
I took an American import Honda 750 in for its first MOT at my local shop so I could register it. When I went back in for it I was told that the brake emulator fitted to it (it flashes the brake lights when used) is illegal and can’t be used over here. However “I disconnected it, bridged the wires and passed it for you. Then I put it back as it was as I know full well you would just do it anyway” Sorted.
 
I took an American import Honda 750 in for its first MOT at my local shop so I could register it. When I went back in for it I was told that the brake emulator fitted to it (it flashes the brake lights when used) is illegal and can’t be used over here. However “I disconnected it, bridged the wires and passed it for you. Then I put it back as it was as I know full well you would just do it anyway” Sorted.
Don't you just love common sense
 
Copied from a Google..explaining why.

Modern car brake discs tend to wear faster than older vehicles due to factors like thinner disc material for weight reduction, more aggressive braking systems with features like ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems) which apply more frequent braking pressure, and a greater focus on maximizing fuel efficiency, leading to lighter weight discs that may not handle heavy braking as well as older, thicker discs.

Key points about brake disc wear on modern cars compared to older vehicles:
  • Thinner Disc Material:
    Modern cars often use thinner brake discs to save weight, meaning they can wear out faster with heavy braking.

  • Advanced Braking Systems:
    Features like ABS and traction control on newer cars can cause more frequent brake applications, leading to increased wear on the discs.

  • Focus on Fuel Efficiency:
    To improve fuel economy, manufacturers may prioritize lighter weight components, which can sometimes compromise the durability of brake discs.

  • Less Resurfacing Capability:
    Older brake discs could often be resurfaced multiple times to extend their life, but modern discs may be too thin to allow for this practice
 
Copied from a Google..explaining why.

Modern car brake discs tend to wear faster than older vehicles due to factors like thinner disc material for weight reduction, more aggressive braking systems with features like ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems) which apply more frequent braking pressure, and a greater focus on maximizing fuel efficiency, leading to lighter weight discs that may not handle heavy braking as well as older, thicker discs.

Key points about brake disc wear on modern cars compared to older vehicles:
  • Thinner Disc Material:
    Modern cars often use thinner brake discs to save weight, meaning they can wear out faster with heavy braking.

  • Advanced Braking Systems:
    Features like ABS and traction control on newer cars can cause more frequent brake applications, leading to increased wear on the discs.

  • Focus on Fuel Efficiency:
    To improve fuel economy, manufacturers may prioritize lighter weight components, which can sometimes compromise the durability of brake discs.

  • Less Resurfacing Capability:
    Older brake discs could often be resurfaced multiple times to extend their life, but modern discs may be too thin to allow for this
Indeed. And even so, could they engineer them to be more resilient and last longer? Of course they could. So will they? Not a chance.
 
"Your pads need replacing but don't worry, your brake discs are fine."

I've lost count of the times I've been told with a grave expression, "oh yes, your discs are corroded/pitted/scored, I'm afraid they'll need replacing too."

Are we being ripped off?
I thought it was frases you never hear,like, alls fixed Sir/Madam no charge.
 
The garage my Motorhome is in at the moment for its MOT tested one of my self-builds a few years ago and failed it on the numberplate light. once they finished the test, they put a new bulb in and then immediately passed it -so I had a fail and a pass around 5 minutes apart :)
I asked why they didn't just swap the bulb and do a pass and apparently all these tests are timed so couldn't (plus of course no repairs are allowed as soon as the test is started).
Oh - and no charge for the bulb either.(y)
The garages need a few little fails or they get a visit for being slack on standards , my car failed for a crack in the trailer socket cap.????
 
"Your pads need replacing but don't worry, your brake discs are fine."

I've lost count of the times I've been told with a grave expression, "oh yes, your discs are corroded/pitted/scored, I'm afraid they'll need replacing too."

Are we being rip

"Your pads need replacing but don't worry, your brake discs are fine."

I've lost count of the times I've been told with a grave expression, "oh yes, your discs are corroded/pitted/scored, I'm afraid they'll need replacing too."

Are we being ripped off?
I hear these type of comments from my garage all the time, they have just told me that after 43,000 miles I need a new set of pads but THE DISCS ARE OK, this is the benefit of using a garage you can trust, in my case this is a very genuine one man business who looks after my 2011 Fiat Ducato as well as two cars.

However I will change the discs as well, as these have also done 43,000 miles.

As a former manufacturer of brake discs both here in the UK and in the Far East, I would never change the pads without changing the brake discs. The materials used today in brake pad manufacture can be equally as wearing to the disc, every disc has a minimum thickness and this can very easily be reached. The manufacturing tolerances of a brake disc are very stringent, down to a few micons, especially important is the tolerance between the two braking faces, as any distortion can cause all sorts of braking issues. Look how long brake pads last today compared with 20 years ago, the friction material is so much better now than it used to be....
 
However I will change the discs as well, as these have also done 43,000 miles.

As a former manufacturer of brake discs both here in the UK and in the Far East, I would never change the pads without changing the brake discs.
The first part makes some sense if the discs are worn to their limit or close to it.

The second doesn't make any sense to me.
 
I hear these type of comments from my garage all the time, they have just told me that after 43,000 miles I need a new set of pads but THE DISCS ARE OK, this is the benefit of using a garage you can trust, in my case this is a very genuine one man business who looks after my 2011 Fiat Ducato as well as two cars.

However I will change the discs as well, as these have also done 43,000 miles.

As a former manufacturer of brake discs both here in the UK and in the Far East, I would never change the pads without changing the brake discs. The materials used today in brake pad manufacture can be equally as wearing to the disc, every disc has a minimum thickness and this can very easily be reached. The manufacturing tolerances of a brake disc are very stringent, down to a few micons, especially important is the tolerance between the two braking faces, as any distortion can cause all sorts of braking issues. Look how long brake pads last today compared with 20 years ago, the friction material is so much better now than it used to be....
Not a chance I'd routinely change discs ....

Signs of wear/damage degradation etc yes ....

Other than that ....new pads and a bedding in and good to go .
 
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