Lotties MOT 2010
November, cold and wet so
an ideal month to prepare for the annual
This year I was a few days late so the MOT had expired and I was a little naughty calling on a friend on my way to the high noon test appointment. After the obligatory chat and cuppa I returned to Lottie approaching her from the rear fortunately. My first thoughts were someone had nicked the number plate while I was parked. The number plate space still had its 3 strips of double sided tape and the silver layer from the back of the number plate but no yellow number plate.
I retraced part of my
journey searching for the number plate but with no success so I went to the
MOT garage to do the test rather than missing my
The test was a success and son duly arrived with a multi-split rear number plate, found about a half mile from home on a traffic island which posed a life threatening experience to recover from between the passing traffic. We soon secured the battered number plate with a further application of double sided tape borrowed from a nearby body specialist, so I then got my MOT certificate. I was moaning to the tester about having to get a new number plate and the inconvenience of taking log book and proof of ID to the local auto suppliers.
I then got another surprise as he said they could order me a new number plate for delivery later that day – no paperwork needed. The third shock was the cost only £35 for the MOT and a £5 for the number plate – a real deal.
Later I realised that I had a spare number plate fixed to my motorcycle trailer which was sitting in the yard. It never even crossed my mind at the time – old age or just panic perhaps. The new number plate is now fitted with more double sided tape and two self tapping screws just to be safe.
Preparation for the MOT test was minimal as I use the car most weeks and keep on top of the maintenance so I just filled the king pins with grease, visually inspected the drive shaft gaiters and double checked all the lights were working. I had noticed that the drivers side headlamp reflector was losing its chrome reflective surface and a new one was received next day from ECAS. Once fitted it didn’t look appreciably better than the other lamp but at night the difference was marked. The new reflector produces a bright white light and the old one appeared quite yellow. I will wait and see if the new unit “goes off” over the next few weeks and if not will also replace the passenger side unit.
The new reflector has a slide fitting which (with bulb removed to allow the adjustment) can be used to change the lamp from left to right hand drive use and vice versa. When we next go abroad I shall not now need beam benders or black tape on the lens. I guess I shall have to get that other reflector anyway!
At the MOT the exhaust emissions were poor and I explained that the carb was sealed, the air filter clean and the engine oil was fresh so there was nothing else I could do. Apparently the tester has some discretion in this area so it was never a problem. Having said that I have now cleaned the carb, adjusted the float level and changed the idle jet from a 42 to a 41 taken from a spare carb body. A quick spin indicates that performance seems a little crisper despite my not having played with the slow running adjustment. Mileage for the last year was a little under 4000. Maybe we will go for a fresh MOT in June 2011 then any work can be done in the warm.
Last updated: 30 March 2011