Problems after MOT wash

**timk81** · 11-02-2012,10:49 PM

Heya folks,
I got an MOT wash done a few weeks ago. A little bit after I drove up the ramp the alarm started going off for the brakes and the handbrake. I went back down a bit but it turns out the damage was done. Ever since then the brake, handbrake and occasionally the abs light lights up. I went to my mechanic today cos I was getting concerned about the brake alarm going off multiple times on every drive. He did a test drive and said the brakes and abs are okay. He's going to hook it up to the computer and see what's going on. Has anyone else had similar experiences?

Tim

**AdiHH** · 13-02-2012,03:46 PM

Excuse my ignorance but what's an MOT wash?

**timk81** · 13-02-2012,04:07 PM

Originally Posted by AdiHH

Excuse my ignorance but what's an MOT wash?

It's the wash where you drive up the ramp so the underneath of the car can be cleaned for the MOT test.

**Guest 2** · 13-02-2012,06:57 PM

AdiHH, its the same as the German TÜV test for cars

timk81, did you get the fault codes read?

**timk81** · 13-02-2012,07:04 PM

Originally Posted by A6_Chris

AdiHH, its the same as the German TÜV test for cars

timk81, did you get the fault codes read?

Is that where you hook the car up to the computer? My mechanic is going to do it when I take the car back to him. I need to get a new seat belt first for him to fit.

**Guest 2** · 13-02-2012,07:12 PM

Yeah it is,let us know when he's done that. Whats wrong with the seatbelt?

**timk81** · 13-02-2012,07:56 PM

I will do. The belt is jammed. There's no give in it at all. We tried fixing it but he said he'd have to take the back seats out to get into it. It seems to be a git of a car to do stuff with. Even changing the brake light was beyond me which is embarrassing to say.

**AdiHH** · 13-02-2012,10:15 PM

Ah, ok. I was being dumb. Yes, I know the MOT is like the German TÜV but I never twigged because I had not connected getting the MOT with washing the car. Do you really have to wash the underside of your car to pass the MOT??????????? Sounds crazy. High-pressure water under the car is probably not a good idea.

**Guest 2** · 13-02-2012,10:21 PM

The inspectors may not pass the car if they cannot see and work at components such as brake lines.

I've had cars fail the mot because the underside of the car is too dirty to inspect.

**timk81** · 14-02-2012,12:47 AM

In the south of Ireland they'll fail you over the smallest of details in the NCT (Irish MOT). The 2nd MOT I went through in my last car didn't have a wash cos I couldn't find anywhere open at 6pm but they passed it. This time I didn't want to take the chance of having to pay for the test twice....I'm so sorry I did.