MoT advisories to sub-frames
 

MoT advisories on a v6 automatic. Cautious inspector or nothing too serious? Treatable or walk away?

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
Rear exhaust heat shield insecure

Advice welcomed.

Easy repairs with some de rusting, then all you need to do is treat the areas with acf50 or similar and you will be OK.

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Remember that these are advisories David, in other words observations made entirely at the discretion of the individual tester. They are not failures and another garage may well consider them unworthy of mention. Did you receive a similar comment at last year's MOT?

You might like to look at this current thread by a member in the same position as you are.

Simon

the suspension arms are quite "soft" and so I recommend giving them urgent attention, light rust today is a hole next MOT.
Front sub frame is quite solid but surface rust is only going to get worse.
Rear sub frame is also quite "soft" and again light rust will only get worse.

brake pipes, best to check them, you dont want them failing.

all is treatable but at this moment in time does not seem urgent but if you leave them, they will only get worse but when they will fail is anyone's guess.

prevention is better then cure


macafee2

That reads very much like the last MOT on my 2004 KV6 Contemporary SE manual saloon. The brake pipe comments are a safety get-out clause for the inspector ('cos they actually cannot fail if the pipes are 'protected' by grease or similar product since they are not supposed to remove such protection to closer inspect the raw pipes....bit daft but there it is). All the other comments are common - after all our cars are now at least 17-18 years old! Heat shield is an easy fix for most of us but other stuff needs attention otherwise look out is the implication. Done properly rust prevention/protection can be a fair old extensive DIY job (and I personally haven't yet attempted it) but left unattended it could be terminal or prohibitively even more expensive for many less interested/competent current owners to rectify.

does the car have an engine undertray fitted ? i dont seem to have corrosion on my front subframe , to the extent that my MOT man would comment. still each to his own. best to sort it early i suppose , at least you are aware of it and can arrest any further corrosion. whenever i have worked under there i always clean and apply a wax or similar to keep the dreaded rust away...

I think its something we as owners should look out for, once a year, it would make sence to get our cars jacked up on axle stands and look underneath and re-treat damaged rust proofing, and ensure that rust doesn't get a chance to take hold, whilst you are at it, check for any signs of anything needing attention its a job you could easily do in a week end, and will give you piece of mind .

Thank you all for your help and advice, well worth noting for the future. However, unfortunately the car I was researching has now been sold before I could get to see.