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MG MGF Technical - MOT Fail: 3 areas - Can u helpplease?

Hello everybody.

As the subject suggests my MGF (P reg) failed its MOT today.

1 Nearside rear tyre has a lump on inside
2 Rear exhaust system (Box band) mounting has corroded
3 Service Brake efficiency below requirements

I know ill have to get a new tyre, its points 2 & 3 I need help on.

When I collected the car and drove it away there was a loud rattling noise and noticed my clip for clipping the hood in place was broken. (I left it down for MOT) So now my hood is only held in place with one clip and isnt closed properly. I went back but obviously they denied it and said it was like that already and they never put the hood up (it wasnt like that coz it rattled like hell when I drove from the garage so I drove straight back)...
...anyway my point is: I was due to take it back tomorrow for number 2 and 3 above and the re-test but fear they may rip me off now as I have accused them of breaking the hood clip. I guess the clip is easy to replace ie 3 allen screws but thats not the point

Are the straps that hold the exhause back box sold seperately or am I going to have to get a new back box?
and
what is number 3 all about? I've never heard that before - The brakes work ok and dont rub

also, am I ok on the motorway tomorrow with the hood held down with only one clip???
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated

Thanks in advance
Neil
Neil

Neil

Exhaust straps do corrode, and if changing exhaust a new strap is almost always on the shopping list.
The brakes do have to meet a certain efficiancy to pass an MOT, the test centre should be able to advise which wheel(s) are under par.
I cannot see why an examiner would need to raise the hood for the MOT, so they may be telling the truth about the clip, try ebay for the clip and the exhaust band if time permit's.
As to going on a motorway with only one hood clip, try a cable tie around the mounting point, although I would be more worried about my brakes.

Jason
Jay Smith

Sorry to hear about your probs Neil, it doesn't sound too bad to me TBH, the way I see is

1 - New tyre, no question as you say.
2 - Is your exhaust secure without it and is it a standard exhaust ? - most after market back boxes I've seen including my own Phoenix don't come with them anyway, so I don't understand the prob either if your system is secure.
3 - Have you tried adjusting the handbrake ?

Not a bad weather forecast tomorrow, why not just drive with the hood down mate ;)

Good luck

Steve
Steve P

Hi

I have to be out at 6 in the morning so might be a bit cold.

Its a standard exhaust as far as I can see.
As for the handbrake,Im a bit of a novice so wouldnt know what to do with it im afraid.

Could I stick my spare space saving tyre on just for tomorrow? Even though its a different size obviously? Just to save me a bit of cash till the I can get a tyre from etyres?
Neil

Neil my TF passed its MOT yesterday without the exhaust strap. I had cut it off as it was loose due to corrosion. Cost me £800 to get it through the MOT and found that when I got it home it was peeing water all over the place - thats another story !
D Jamieson

"Could I stick my spare space saving tyre on just for tomorrow?"
Not if you want to drive on a motorway you don't, it's restricted to a certain speed !
Jay Smith

1. I have just had a swelling on the inside Wall on a Goodyear F1 GSD3 with some circumferential splitting. It went back to Goodyear. I had a letter today Ooops !!, Herewith a substantial contribution towards the replacement. Made Week 14 2002.
3. Does <Service Brake> mean Handbrake. A common problem with seizure of the rear calipers.
Geoff F.
G. Farthing

Neil,

A spacesaver spare tyre CANNOT be used for the MOT, it is classified for emergency use only.

"Service brake efficiency below requirements", this means that 50% efficiency was not not obtained using the foot brake when doing the brake test. You must have a problem somewhere in the system. the tester should have told you where the problem was ie front or rear brakes. If they were out of balance left/right that is a different failure item. so from the failure given the balance must be OK but the general efficiency low.

All exhaust mounting brackets must be present are in good condition.

Hope that helps

Mike

M J Pearson

The strap round the silencer contributes next to nothing - when mine broke I removed the remains with no discernable effect. I eventually fitted one of Mike Satur's silencers (much better) with his replacement downpipe which did not require the strap anyway. Since then I've added the 4 into 1 manifold, so have a not very used MS downpipe wrapped ready to post for £40 if you're interested - I expect yours is just about ready for replacement! See it at http://www.lejambonfute.f2s.com/page14.html
If you're getting new tyres, I found Avon ZV3 were very good performers at sensible prices.
M Cunningham 1

Mine passed its MOT last week without the standard exhaust strap even though there was an unmissable line of rust around the silencer box.

I had removed the strap during the winter because its mounting bracket had broken so it wasn't doing a lot.

Chris
Chris

The strap can/could be bought separately for the exhaust. When I replaced mine a couple of years ago. I seem to remember it was about £17. I have heard of alot of people not having one and if the remaining exhaust supports were doing the buisness it would not be needed as it is not on some after market back boxes anyway.
Keith Williams

Hi everyone

Thanks for the info.
I got a new tyre (Goodlyear Fulda) the only ones they had in - any good? They said they were the best seller but then again they would be if they dont stock other types!

They said I needed a new back box as the strap was attached - so I got 2 big jubilee clips and attached them together and held the strap in place - it passed with that.

As for the brakes problem, after calipers, brake fluid and discs im £168 lighter but have 1 MOT.

They suggested a new radiator as it was leaking slightly - £189 - is this reasonable or should I shop around? Its just im really stuck without a car and can really travel far to another garage if this is a fair price.

As for the roof lock thing, they wont pay for a new one - its my cost at £49. I have even been to 4 scrappers today but no one has an MGF! Does any1 know any good links for parts etc over internet?

Thanks again

Neil
Neil

Check Ebay for radiators - start from around £63 - mine is knackered too.
D Jamieson

Radiators are not hard to fit (for once having the engine in the middle makes something easier!) but there is a lot of unbolting involved so provided that price includes bleeding the cooling system afterwards (absolutely critical this is done thoroughly) then it sounds OK.

Not local to you but the MGF Centre in Wolverhampton might have roof catches - http://www.mgfcentre.com/index.htm

or MG Mania http://stores.ebay.co.uk/MG-mania-UK

Mike Hankin

This thread was discussed between 17/04/2007 and 19/04/2007

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