I've got my MOT coming up soon so thought I'd dig out my old MOT certificate from last year, and found the following two advisories listed: -

"Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components"

"Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay"

Are these normal advisories, as surely most cars nowadays have engine covers and undertrays fitted. Surely the tester could remove them? Not that difficult or time consuming surely!

I think you'll find they're not allowed to remove them. I haven't a scoobies on the exact rule, but I understand there's some sort of 'no dismantling' clause in there as a sort of protection to M.O.T. test centres (remember they get a fixed fee for this test).

The advisories are an @r5e covering mechanism for the examiner I think, nothing for you to worry about (as long as you're happy with the history of your car - if not, take them off before the next test).

Edited 11 April, 201313 yr by Skoda Al Coda

I'm not sure they should be advisories.

The tester is not allowed to remove any part of the car during the test though

If you have covers covering the brake pipes, they are not allowed to remove them to examine the pipes. So they advise about it.

So if you bin your car into a wall a week later and its because the brake pipe failed... It cant come back on the tester. Just a bum covering way around things.

Just an example

Sent from my iPhone 4s

The tester is not allowed to remove any part of the car during the test though

they are not allowed to remove them to examine the pipes

Oops, I said 'not allowed' as well

I repeat my previous statement that I don't have a scoobies about the exact rules. However, what I think I know, coupled with common sense, is that there is no obligation to dismantle (means the tester can't be expected to remove your light bulbs to look for an E mark, for example) - I'm not sure there is actually any prohibition on dismantling.

At the very least, I would use a different test station next time - I'm sure some test centres will lift an engine cover without even bothering to mention it - others may offer an M.O.T preparation (removing underbody protection etc.) for a small additional fee if they think it's in your interest.

Edited 11 April, 201313 yr by Skoda Al Coda

The station is just arose covering, no problem.

Thanks for the replies. I think it would put my mind at rest if I took them off before I take it to the garage for the test, so the whole car is checked. May not help my wallet but if it means my car is safe then so be it.

I got the exact same advisories for my last MOT, in July. Like others have said, I'm not bothered about them. I'm surprised there wasn't one about the power steering fluid level, which can not be seen on a Fabia. To check it you have to remove the battery.

"Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components"

"Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay"

When we enter the test results, there are various sections:

The component list where all the testable items are located which contain the fails and some advisories.

Free text entry, where the testers can write anything that they want, but cannot fail anything here.

Brake test result entry - self explanatory

Non component related advisories, these contain prepared, standard phrases, which are selected by ticking a box, there is also a box if that advisory is considered to be dangerous. The quote above has two of these in it.

If the tester starts removing covers, where does it stop, it's a lot easier and cheaper to tick a couple of boxes rather than tripling the test time. Smart cars are noted for having virtually all the underside obscured and are quite quick to test.

Some photos of car I tested today, covers everywhere: