What's this then ?

>Do you constantly need to top up the power steering?

I've only had the car for three months and I've just topped it up the once. So I don't suppose the leak is too excessive...

Of course, you suggesting that the Volvo MOT might be over zealous has fuelled my existing concern.

The other suggestion I've had is to use the leak fixing oil that you can buy, but I've written that off as a short term fix. But then again it's 145 pounds and 8 hours work cheaper :-)

Cheers,

Simon

[sholtby]

Clean any oil up on the steering rack and take the car for a drive and see if any more appears. If not get it MOT'd somewhere else and just keep an eye on the fluid level. If it does drop I'd change the rack.
Worn front brake pads aren't an MOT failure but low braking efficiency is. I've known cars pass where almost all the friction material has gone.
My fathers Audi has a worn link bar but each year they put it down as an 'advise' not a fail. I must get round to replacing it as its only cheap.

Simon

[Chris_Rogers]

I tend to agree with Simon.

It may also be worth changing the Power steering fluid you can just suck the old stuff out of the tank and replace, it may take a couple of goes. Use Dexron III ATF.

Drop link is cheap and easy to change.

Use Lucas brake pads they are OEM and won't squeel. As Simon has said not an MOT failure but probably wants doing anyway.

How can they tell if a brake pipe is seized on an MOT they are not allowed to remove a wheel.

Take it somewhere else for an MOT.

>How can they tell if a brake pipe is seized on an MOT they
>are not allowed to remove a wheel.

Mmm. Good question.

>Take it somewhere else for an MOT.

Good advice. I've sourced the parts myself, arranged the work to be done by someone I know and trust, and they'll take it to a well known (non Volvo) local MOT centre.

Thanks to everyone for the good advice.

Simon