MOT

MOT Common Failures and Remedies

Brakes

While it’s a good idea to do all the normal checks prior to an MOT e.g.:

• Making sure there are no bulbs out.
• Checking the items that only get used once a year, like the horn, windscreen washers and hazard warning lights.

With the Élan, you should add checking the brakes to the list.

They are better done before the test. You’ll not only increase the chance of passing the MOT, but you’ll have the added benefit of a shorter stopping distance (for a while).

All I did to get my rear brakes from a failure reading of 30 and 40 to a pass of 70 and 70 was:

1. Remove the pads
2. Check the sliders were free
3. Remove the central rubber plug from the piston to check the extent of any internal seal leaks
4. Checked the pistons were free, the offside one turns anticlockwise/inwards (the information in the manual is looking from the back of the car)
5. Clean the edges of the steel backing plates and the corresponding part on the callipers
6. Take the glaze off the pads with sandpaper
7. Re-assemble

You can do the same thing at the front, but include changing the inner pad to the outside and visa versa. This will even out the wear and put the slider arrangement into a fresh position.

Other failure examples

• Rear brakes inadequate - RayD
• All four brake discs - RichyP
• Hazard light switch not illuminating - dapinky (The solution is on this thread.)
• Lower Steering UJ - Gazza
• Broken headlight - Hinch
• Inner track rod end - kevincprice
• The handbrake - nchase
• Emissions - martyn roberts
• Front brakes - Benmac
• Handbrake and Windscreen washer jets - Russc
• Heavy steering - davel
• All four brake discs - pit_stop
• Nearside upper ball joint - Andrew_Ennis
• Condition of the rear disks - Hinch
• Rear wishbones and FNS bottom arm - hec
• Horn - Ray
• Rear braking effort - schurch
• Rear brake discs and pads - Stef
• Emissions - PaulW
• Dipped beam too high - D3DSY
• front brake hose - hec
• Outer CV joint gaiter - paulwatkins
• Rear Callipers - Rushing

External Links

• How-To view a car's MOT history - muley