Just had my 59 Octavia serviced and MOT'd and although it passed, there's a very odd comment on the 'Advisory items' area. It says:

"001 Under-trays fitted obsuring some underside components"

Well, durrr. They are factory fitted as part of the design. Has anyone else come across this before? Is it just the MOT tester covering their bottom?

Thanks

Yes.

Ask FordFan. He's very very well informed on these things ;)

^{Basically yes. He's supposed to inspect all the steering and driveshaft boots, but is specifically not allowed to dismantle components for better access. I imagine that if you go back and ask, he'll say that he's referring to the inner CV joint boots.}

Surprised you didn't get an advisory for brake disks. I've had them on every single MOT, written or mentioned verbally. Only the last one was an exception because all 4 were practically brand new.

Yes they should always say this. Either remove it before your MOT, or have it MOT and service'd at the same time.

Has anyone else come across this before?

Yep - got exactly the same when mine got it's first MOT last Monday. I googled it when I came home afterwards and it appears to be fairly common.

There are some parts of the car that have to be checked, such as the brake pipes and fuel lines that run underneath it. The MOT is an inspection only and the tester is not allowed to remove fixed covers to allow an inspection. In the non component advisories section when entering the results, there is a list of common things, such as nail in nearside front tyre, child seat fitted - not allowing full inspection of an adult seat belt. The text relating to under trays is there as well, so the tester gives it a tick to save any comeback should an item obscured by the cover fail.

Surprised you didn't get an advisory for brake disks. I've had them on every single MOT, written or mentioned verbally. Only the last one was an exception because all 4 were practically brand new.

The condition of the brake discs is no longer part of the mot, the disc can be rusty and crumbling but as long as the car passes the brake test it's fine

And if you google it you'll find lots of stuff like this on it

http://www.vx220.org.uk/forums/topic/91421-mot-ruling-on-brake-disc-condition-abolished/

Edited 10 September, 201213 yr by Richf

Thanks for the replies. Kind of makes sense but does seem odd that a factory-fitted tray that is part of the design should prevent a full inspection for the purposes of an MOT.

Theoretically, you could encase every testable part of the car in, say a plastic bag, and it would pass the test. Makes the whole thing redundant really.

The condition of the brake discs is no longer part of the mot, the disc can be rusty and crumbling but as long as the car passes the brake test it's fine

Thats not correct,a inspection of the brake discs is part of the mot,a disc heavily corroded or badly worn disc will be a failure.

Took mine in last Friday. Passed, no advisories. Same with bike about a month ago. I use Nationwide Crash Repair Centre in Leicester. Only £25 too!!!

2nd year I've used them. Chuuufffffed

Thats not correct,a inspection of the brake discs is part of the mot,a disc heavily corroded or badly worn disc will be a failure.

That's not what my tester told me , even had a corroded disc that he was keeping to show the man from the ministry

He needs to have a look at his mot inspection manual then,we have to work from this & section 3.5 mechanical brake components section H states to check the condition & security of the brake discs & drums & gives a reason for rejection of "a brake disc or drum insecure,cracked or excessively scored,pitted or worn".

Thats not correct,a inspection of the brake discs is part of the mot,a disc heavily corroded or badly worn disc will be a failure.

Brake discs have to be really bad to fail a MOT these days, the ones in the pictures below exceed the MOT requirements. As a testing station at work, we've only failed one brake disc in the last two years.

With regard to fitted covers, Smart cars are fairly quick to test as nearly everything is covered.

With regard to fitted covers, Smart cars are fairly quick to test as nearly everything is covered.

Which to me make the whole MOT irrelevant in terms of safely for modern cars.