A friend just had his car fail the MoT on, amongst other things, a weak gas strut supporting the tailgate open. The only mention of load apertures I can find is http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_640.htm which only requires that they can be securely closed.

On this basis I think he should be reporting the garage. What do you guys think?

Strange one, contact VOSA and let them know what he failed you on should get the garage in trouble lol

Sent from my Galaxy S2 not a Crapple!

I would say if the catch holds the boot shut then that's surely not a reason for failure? Surely it doesn't matter if the boot doesn't stay open, as long as it stays closed?

It's not really a safety issue, and it wouldn't deserve anything more than an advisory

Advisory, maybe...

But the only way it would fail is if if couldn't be locked shut.

^ that's come from my friendly neighbourhood MOT tester, by the way

You say the car failed 'on amongst other things', indicating that there is more to it than just the strut. Did the garage say that the strut was a failure or just list it in the points picked up?

A friend just had his car fail the MoT on, amongst other things, a weak gas strut supporting the tailgate open. The only mention of load apertures I can find is http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_640.htm which only requires that they can be securely closed.

On this basis I think he should be reporting the garage. What do you guys think?

So what else was there in the failure list?

Could be bulbs, tyres, basic stuff. The boot strut is a new one on me. My Astra's didn't work for 6 years and the year I had it and it was never picked up

All I've got is a verbal report from him. Still, since I can't see any way that it's a testable item, I don't see how you can issue an advisory, never mind a fail, against that point.

I would suggest that you get to actually see the failure document first to see EXACTLY what has been said, otherwise it is nothing but conjecture.

i would ask Fordfan (im sure he'll be along shortly) since he's a qualified MOT tester

Could it affect the ability of the driver to safely access the spare wheel and jack in the case of a puncture?

Could it affect the ability of the driver to safely access the spare wheel and jack in the case of a puncture?

Why when neither required or tested?

The only requirement for the test is that the tailgate has to latch securely when closed. Strictly speaking it is not specifically stated that it has to open, but a non opening tailgate is a valid reason for refusing to test or abandoning the test, as VOSA like you to lift the boot carpet and check the condition of the floor.

As for advisories on non testable items, there is a free text box for anything that the tester cares to advise. There are some not testable items that are very important to the vehicle, such as the propeller shaft on a rear wheel drive, you'd certainly like to know if that had a fixing bolt or two missing.

If you look at the paperwork, it'll have some numbers after the text, those numbers denote which section of the manual the item is in contravention of.

Why when neither required or tested?

This is why...

As for advisories on non testable items, there is a free text box for anything that the tester cares to advise.

Im guessing, but surely it has to be a rear strut that has failed and your pal is a little confused.