MOT Procedural Question
 

Took my car in for the MOT test (Volvo dealership). Had the 'phone call that it was passed with only comment that windscreen wiper blades were leaving smears. Had those changed. Received the pass certificate, paid the bill and left. Got home checked the paperwork, all the items were 'green' except the wipers. All good so far.

Went online to the DVLA MOT webpage and it shows MOT failed for 'major defects'. It also shows the pass thereafter.

According to the fail the headlamp beams were too high!

Given that the headlamps are electrically 'lowerable' and a simple twist of the dial would have lowered said beam, does it not seem churlish to fail it. Or is the 'beam' different to the focal point? Also should there not be a failure certificate issued also? And lastly how does the angle of a light constitute a 'major defect' ??

I don't NEED an answer, but this has set off the grumpy old man in me once again!

Thoughts?

It looks like they have followed the correct process, the answers to all your queries can be found here:

https://www.mot-testing.service.gov....als/class3457/

Remember that prescribed procedure is that repairs cannot be done during the test. If a defect is found, they have to fail it, repair it, and re-test. Even a bulb.

Also the MOT tester is likely not to be the mechanic doing the service and other work.

The test requires that the beam height is set to maximum elevation to avoid the dazzle risk to oncoming vehicles....apparently the tester isn't permitted to carry out repairs whilst the vehicle is being tested.

Where do you draw the line between a repair and an adjustment,
surely turning a dial to adjust headlight angle, or moving a sat nav from the screen etc is not a repair?

The vehicle is presented in the condition it will be used on the roads, if in this condition it fails the test then it fails the test.

Agreed, I'm not disputing the way its done. Just querying the 'why' it's done.
Seems daft to fail it, adjust it (turn a dial, flick a switch, move a sat nav), retest it then pass it.
When flicking a switch or moving an obstruction is all that's required to meet the 'pass requirement'.
I agree with no repairs to be done during the test, without that, an MOT becomes an open ended task but in my opinion if there are no tools and no parts used then it's not a repair it's an adjustment/setting change.

The turn a dial to lower headlights is for load compensation, with an empty car it should be set to its highest setting and the lights adjusted to that so that they cannot be too high under any circumstances.

You do not get an MOT certificate these days, just a printout of the results submitted on line and the official record is that on line one not the printout you have, if it fails and then passes you can see it on line but the only bit of paper they print is the final pass.
When I tax the car it's MOT status is checked on line, the bit of paper I have is to make me feel good after giving the garage up to £56 and no one is bothered wether you keep or bin it.

Paul.

I will give them fair dues as there was no charge apart from the test fee and the solid gold wiper blades!

The other question is. How do headlights go out of pitch?

Sometimes its enough to change a bulb.

Itbis possible not to push the bulb fully in into its seat, and therefore it will sit at wrong angle.

But also- bulbs are made to certain tolerances.
The coil inside will sit slightly differently in each bulb, even a pair from the same box will have these at different position.

Easy to check- just go to your nearest place that sells car bulbs, grab a box ir two (preferably clear plastic box, but that's most of them anyway) and have a close look.

Absolutely enough to throw the lights settings off.

And therefore it makes sense to at least check your beams elevation against a wall after each bulb change..

it shows that the tester has done his job by checking the headlight beam correctly and its not worth him losing his job for not failing it.