[Split or Bust]

Sad to report Willy failed his MOT yesterday.

Made the 3,000 miles to Croatia and back, absolute joy on the motorways so was hoping would pass but that was not meant to be.

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a)) Dreaded airbag light decided to come on, hasn’t done that in ages but usual issue as soon as the driver seat was moved….apparently seat is moved as part of the test…sod’s law moved the seat back to my normal positon and the NAUGHTY WORD light went off…aaarrrggghhh…
• Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit limit is 1.00 (8.2.2.2 (a))
  • so Willy recorded a worst of 2.91 and a best of 2.53
• Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))
• Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):

• Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))
• Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))
  • Think he may have been a bit picky on this one, got a couple of small dings nothing major
    

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))
• Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
• Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
  • Ok so we did do the Stelvio pass with it’s 49 hairpin bends…
• Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
• Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
• parking brake has little reserve travel

As a couple of the faults are “major defects”, it means Willy’s now off the road.

No issues with the testing station, Triple S in Slough, my go to place every time for both car and bike MOTs. It is what it is. Tester did say that generally, the car was in good nick considering its age and if it was his he’d spend the money getting it fixed.

Triple S quoted £480 to get the work done, including a service but I’d rather spend that £500 on my MGF and get that back on the road.

So on that basis Willy is looking for a new home and is now for sale.

Good bits…

• Only 119k near as on the clock.
  
• Diesel leak off pipe replaced with brass connectors rather than plastic ones.
• ABS sensors NSF and OSR changed just before Croatia trip
  
• BMW fit and forget PCV filter fitted, pollen and air filters changed c.6k miles ago.
• Aircon re-gassed @ 114k.
• 2 keys, both working remotes.
• Best part £30 of diesel still in the tank.
• I put a new boot board in, used 9mm plywood so no saggy boot.
• New floor mats c.4k miles ago
• Rear light seals both changed.
• Bootlid replaced, previous one was dented and rusted, still have the original in the garage if anyone is interested.

Not so good…

• Willy’s a bit tired around the edges with some scratches to the paint work.
• Internal door chrome lock surrounds fallen off on all but one door and the plastic floor sill trims have come off driver and NSR passenger.
• Rear passenger door lock actuator changed with replacement part thanks to Mickyboy, though had to grind off the soft cheese screws that held the old one in as can only guess Popeye had screwed them in way too tight and butchered the heads in the process. So needs a bit of paint on inside of the door.
• Clutch is somewhat high though I’ve not had any issues changing gear.
• Front passenger seat rear cloth hanging off.

Bad bits…

• See the MOT history above.

As a result of the major defects Willy will need to be trailered away, and I know a man who can do that if required at a reasonable rate.

Car is in Slough for viewing.

I got a quick quote from Removemycar, £194 though I’d rather not scrap the car and hopefully someone will keep Willy on the road.

Open to offers, may list on ebay.

Anyone interested?


I'll upload photos later once I've resized them