My Felicia went in for its MOT today and failed :thumbdwn:, just need a bit of advice before proceeding. Thanks

1, Centre Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated - Does Centre Front mean Middle section needs replacing from the Cat to Rear?

2, Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits - The tester said this would be sorted by fixing the above, so not concerned.

3, Nearside Rear Macpherson Strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment - Do I need to replace the shock absorber, or is it just the mounting kit that needs renewing?

Advisories were:

Rear Macpherson Strut has slight movement at the upper attachment

Cant see Brake Pads

Brake pipes covered in Grease

1, Centre Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated - Does Centre Front mean Middle section needs replacing from the Cat to Rear?

Go back and ask for clarification if uncertain but I think it will be just the middle section.

2, Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits - The tester said this would be sorted by fixing the above, so not concerned.

Yep that's what happened when I had my centre exhaust replaced.

3, Nearside Rear Macpherson Strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment - Do I need to replace the shock absorber, or is it just the mounting kit that needs renewing?

Remove the carpet covering the top and then the rubber cover from it in the boot and look in there and from the bottom for any sign of rust. Try identify the play the MOT tester found and see if tightening the nut in the middle inside the car will stop it. If it doesn't it's likely you need the rubber bits and I would also replace the spring cup if any sign of rust in it. All the bits you need should be available cheaply at a Skoda dealers. Replace the shock too if the bottom spring cup is excessively rusty (see sticky thread at top of forum).

Advisories were:

Rear Macpherson Strut has slight movement at the upper attachment

Cant see Brake Pads

Brake pipes covered in Grease

I'm rather confused by the last one, I thought covering them in grease was a good thing to help prevent corrosion.

All in all not a bad fail, easily sortable so long as you don't need welding to sort the movement in the suspension strut.

The brake pipe thing must depend on the tester or grease.

I had mine covered in copper grease. Haven't had to do the Favorits.

I always get our cars tested by a family friend. Any fails/advisories he will tell us about and he knows we will get the work done on the car in question.

The idle thing......might need some fuel/engine treatment. The Passat we borrowed failed on something similar.

Gave it a service and fuel treatment. Took for a short drive to get a good run and all was well with the car.

The tester can just note the grease as its stopping him from seeing the pipes, that way if something fails he cant be blamed for missing it.

good point! I hadn't thought of that.

Ross as usual is absolutely spot on.... I always note pipes covered in grease/underseal because it covers my a**e

Phil

Remove the carpet covering the top and then the rubber cover from it in the boot and look in there and from the bottom for any sign of rust. Try identify the play the MOT tester found and see if tightening the nut in the middle inside the car will stop it. If it doesn't it's likely you need the rubber bits and I would also replace the spring cup if any sign of rust in it. All the bits you need should be available cheaply at a Skoda dealers. Replace the shock too if the bottom spring cup is excessively rusty (see sticky thread at top of forum).

Thanks for all of your help, Booked in to get my centre Exhaust replaced at an excellent price (it would of cost the same in parts), and it was apparent that the Cat needs changing as well, Managed to source a cheap brand new one, and might as well change the front pipe at the same time.

Going to look at the shocks, and hopefully will get away with just replacing the rubber mounts as inside the rubber boots behind the carpet on the top there was no rust at all - looked like new!! Will still have to check underneath though.

Had a Retest today, and passed.

The rear excessive movement was just the top rubber mountings (didn't look too bad but were slightly compressed) - I changed the top cups and the two Rubber mounts on both sides. (£23 from Skoda)

And in the end had a new Front Pipe and Catalytic Converter (£105 with gaskets/mounts/fitting kit), plus the Middle Section supplied & fitted with the two front parts for £80.

I must admit, the car is so much smoother, quieter and seems to be running cooler, as in traffic it used to quickly heat up. (I wonder if the Cat was partially blocked).

Was probably just over fuelling before - which is why it failed emissions.