MOT Diesel Opacity Test

[Hell Razor5543]

I wonder if that MoT centre also does garage work? If they do, I wonder if they are trying to drum up some easy trade?

[JohnD]

I wonder if that MoT centre also does garage work? If they do, I wonder if they are trying to drum up some easy trade?

They wouldn't do anything like that surely!!

[bobins]

Earlier in the year I was chatting to my usual MOT tester about the new tests coming in. He told me then that there was a large backlog on getting all the emissions testing equipment updated to the new standards. The guys that service their equipment were quite open about the fact that it would be months before all the emissions equipment in all the MOT testing stations were up to date - i.e. some would be doing the new tests on non-updated equipment. The equipment servicing guys were trying to get all the larger (high volume) MOT stations updated first, then they were going to mop up all the smaller operations. I wonder if the OPs MOT station is still running on non-updated equipment ?

[white exec]

Those problems and 'drumming up trade' issues just don't exist here. ITV (vehicle testing) stations are regional government run, and have no repair function whatsoever.
I believe similar existed in the UK, where some local authorities operated MoT stations, mainly for commercial and PSV vehicles.

[MikeT]

Thought I'd check my last MOT (before new rules) and note it's showing six readings plus the calculated Mean - all below the limit.

[myglaren]

Thought I'd check my last MOT (before new rules) and note it's showing six readings plus the calculated Mean - all below the limit.

I tried to check mine but couldn't see it online nor on my certificate from 11 months ago.

[JohnD]

I believe similar existed in the UK, where some local authorities operated MoT stations, mainly for commercial and PSV vehicles.

Yes- Quite a lot of years ago I used to take my four cars to a MOT station which was situated within a Council Transport Depot. Besides doing their own HGVs and other council vehicles, they also did local taxis and private cars owned by members of the public. They did however charge the full going rate. For the past six years I've been using a company which has a group of testing stations in the south-east who only do tests (and servicing). If the vehicle fails, you take it away for repair. Providing you book the test three months in advance, you only pay £27.

[modmytop]

Thought I'd check my last MOT (before new rules) and note it's showing six readings plus the calculated Mean - all below the limit.

Interesting. Presume you got a pass in the end? Was the final result an average of runs 4. 5 and 6?

[modmytop]

I have used this garage for a few years now. I don't for a minute think the tester was trying to fail it. A pass is easier for them. They never offered to fix the emissions. Instead told me to change oil, filters, stick some cleaner in tank and take it for long drive. From what ive read, while the fast pass is no longer part of the test, one acceleration under the specified limit, 2.5 in my case, should be a pass. If over the limit, 2 more runs, then average of the 3 etc.
Car about to go back for retest. Have removed air filter.

[white exec]

Have removed air filter.

Probably not worth doing, and not a good idea in any case. You really don't want a fine piece of grit going into the engine!

[modmytop]

Been in for retest and it passed on first attempt!!
Shown as Fast pass, with limit of 1.5. Result was 0.78.
Car too old for OBD. OBD socket normally used for engine speed, oil temp etc.
On first visit the form is blank for idle speed, cutoff speed, accel time and holding time. On retest form these fields are populated, including measured oil temp. Could it be lack of this info was screwing up results?
One for VOSA I think. Will give an update if i hear from VOSA.

[MikeT]

Thought I'd check my last MOT (before new rules) and note it's showing six readings plus the calculated Mean - all below the limit.

Interesting. Presume you got a pass in the end? Was the final result an average of runs 4. 5 and 6?

These are the details:

--------------------------
Absorption coefficient
1.75, 1.15, 0.75

1.18, 1.39, 1.67

Mean Absorption coefficient
1.41

Mean Absorption coefficient after correction
1.40

Test Result
PASS
------

Congrats on your Fast Pass!

[modmytop]

Thought I'd check my last MOT (before new rules) and note it's showing six readings plus the calculated Mean - all below the limit.

Interesting. Presume you got a pass in the end? Was the final result an average of runs 4. 5 and 6?

These are the details:

--------------------------
Absorption coefficient
1.75, 1.15, 0.75

1.18, 1.39, 1.67

Mean Absorption coefficient
1.41

Mean Absorption coefficient after correction
1.40

Test Result
PASS
------

Congrats on your Fast Pass!

Thanks Mike.
What test limit was your car tested to? I note the average of your first 3 is 1.22, and for the last 3 its 1.41, the pre corrected result.
Another strange test then. So your car suffered 3 extra unnecessary accelerations.
Did your results sheet have the engine speeds quoted or blank?

[MikeT]

There is no box for rpms, so no value provided and I'm always bemused that for every test I ever presented, they never show the engine temperature - in this case it clearly states "No Engine Temperature Taken".

Interestingly, despite it correctly showing Reg, Vin, Make, Model and Odometer, there's a series of dashes for Engine Size (cc).

It also states "No Limits Plate Visible" and, although mine is turbo, it was actually tested under the lower Non-Turbo limit of 2.5.
Not sure what to make of that other than user-error?

[JohnD]

I'm always bemused that for every test I ever presented, they never show the engine temperature - in this case it clearly states "No Engine Temperature Taken".

That always happens with my vehicles at MOT. However, the garage I used to go to (six years or more ago) always removed the dipstick, measured the temperature probe depth against the stop on the dipstick and checked the oil temperature. If it wasn't 80 degrees, often he revved the engine to bring the temperature up.