Britain, tell us about MoT inspections.

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Basically, in the U.S. the cops are only concerned about headlights and turn signals, maybe tire-tread depth, and the presence of seat belts. Other than that, you're car can be as crappy and unsafe as chitty-chitty-bang-bang, with shoddy brakes, loose steering, and poor alignment - that's your right.

But your cars are actually inspected for safety? Explain.

― andy --, Thursday, 30 March 2006 17:04 (twenty years ago)

Yes. Every year, unless your car is under three years old. You have to pay a registered garage to test it, and fix any repairs.

― Forest Pines (ForestPines), Thursday, 30 March 2006 17:09 (twenty years ago)

Yes. Details here. It's bloody expensive to keep a car on the road, as I'm about to find out next month.

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 30 March 2006 17:10 (twenty years ago)

In missouri we have to have safety inspections too, unless your car is under TWO years old! The inspection is fairly cheap though, around $12 I think.

― teeny (teeny), Thursday, 30 March 2006 17:12 (twenty years ago)

and you can always find someone who will pass you, my old shop always let my cracked windshield slide.

― teeny (teeny), Thursday, 30 March 2006 17:13 (twenty years ago)

Hm, I didn't know about missouri, California is obsessed with smog tests (and there is an underground for that, too) but otherwise you can drive any deadly piece of crap you want.

― andy --, Thursday, 30 March 2006 17:18 (twenty years ago)

I hate this time of year 'cos I bought my car in April and so everything comes up at once. MOT, road tax, insurance, service. I needed a new wishbone (?), two new tyres, a new battery, new back light and on and on. But hey, at least my car is safe for about a week or so...

― Ned T.Rifle (nedtrifle), Thursday, 30 March 2006 17:35 (twenty years ago)

The one thing I've never understood about MOTs is, considering the poor ethical rep of garage mechanics (perhaps undeserved), why do they ever pass you? Isn't it in their interests to cross a bunch of boxes and get you to shell out for repairs? I guess registered garages are audited on their pass/fail records, so honesty is the best policy.

Our 10-year-old Nissan Micra has passed its last two but is making some very worrying noises when cornering of late.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 30 March 2006 17:44 (twenty years ago)

I needed a new wishbone (?),

You drive a chicken?!

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 30 March 2006 17:44 (twenty years ago)

(I suppose I'm as suspicious about NICEIC electricians failing your wiring so you give one of their colleagues enormous amounts of cash to make you home "safe" but, as with MOT garages, you're under no obligation to give your cash to them. Sore point at the mo', as we're about to rewire...)

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Thursday, 30 March 2006 17:52 (twenty years ago)

The wishbone is something to do with the suspension. Of course I had no idea what it did, how important it was, how it got damaged or how much I would expect to pay for a new one. So I agreed with whatever the mechanic suggested. I go to a very reputable garage but I think I'm paying for that. It's like "to show you we're trustworthy we're going to charge you a lot"...but they do clean the car as well so that's nice...

― Ned T.Rifle (nedtrifle), Thursday, 30 March 2006 20:28 (twenty years ago)

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