[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

My dad has just washed, polished, and cleaned out all of the rubbish from my car as he is taking it to the MOT tomorrow.

I told him before, NEVER wash my car. I am capable of doing that myself. Yet he still does it, the loser.

Surely the MOT is just an MOT, we're not trying to sell it or impress anyone. Why would the guvna doin the MOT care if the car has bits of paper inside or a birdmuck stain on the roof? He just wants to see if it runs properly, surely?

You might think I am overreacting, but it's my car, I don't understand why my dad washes it without my consent, especially when he gives me excuses about the reasons.

[Potally_Tissed]

Your car will not fail an MOT for being dirty.

[KCLeblanc]

Because he's your parent, his actions will always be slighly patronising and make no sense at all.

You don't need to clean your car before the MOT, but it's not going to do any harm.

[Teemo]

You don't need to clean the car obviously. But you are complaining because your dad has cleaned your car inside and out, as well as waxing it? You should be paying him!

[Jellybeany]

Id love someone to clean my car!


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[NoreenK]

Is there a reason you wanted it to remain dirty? Did you ever have any intentions to clean it yourself? Do you prefer it dirty?

[Juno]

Bros has never had a bath in his life, poor thing, and he passed his MOT. But he's a bike

But I think a basic standard of cleanliness is good - they have to test the seatbelts and things, and they're not gonna enjoy doing that if there's rubbish all over the seats.

[JC.]

(Original post by Potally_Tissed)
Your car will not fail an MOT for being dirty.

Incorrect.
It can fail on numberplates being unreadable and windscreen being obscured.

I always make sure my car is clean when it goes for a test. A clean car looks like the owner cares for it. Dirty cars look unloved. unloved = un maintained and will encourage the tester to look harder.

[ekudamram]

(Original post by JC.)
Incorrect.
It can fail on numberplates being unreadable and windscreen being obscured.

I always make sure my car is clean when it goes for a test. A clean car looks like the owner cares for it. Dirty cars look unloved. unloved = un maintained and will encourage the tester to look harder.

This.

[Potally_Tissed]

(Original post by JC.)
Incorrect.
It can fail on numberplates being unreadable and windscreen being obscured.

Didn't think of that I assume lights as well in that case (though this isn't exactly clear on the matter)?

[philistine]

(Original post by Potally_Tissed)
Your car will not fail an MOT for being dirty.

Ah, au contraire.

The dirt could have been there so long, that it is no longer capable of being effaced. It could also begin to eat through the metalwork, and perhaps even the chassis.

Not serious.

[JC.]

(Original post by Potally_Tissed)
Didn't think of that I assume lights as well in that case (though this isn't exactly clear on the matter)?

Arguably it could go either way.
Think of it from the testers point of view - if someone turns up with a ****-heap thats filthy dirty would you be more likely to look harder to find something to fail it on for being forced to sit in the thing and dig through old crisp and sweet wrappers to find the seatbelt ends for example?

I'm pretty sure I'd would in the same situation!

At the end of the day it's up to the individual what they do. I just think it makes sense to try and make your own life easier. Who really wants to drive around in a filthy car full of old kebab wrappers anyway? Only dirty bastards!

[Potally_Tissed]

(Original post by JC.)
Arguably it could go either way.
Think of it from the testers point of view - if someone turns up with a ****-heap thats filthy dirty would you be more likely to look harder to find something to fail it on for being forced to sit in the thing and dig through old crisp and sweet wrappers to find the seatbelt ends for example?

I'm pretty sure I'd would in the same situation!

At the end of the day it's up to the individual what they do. I just think it makes sense to try and make your own life easier. Who really wants to drive around in a filthy car full of old kebab wrappers anyway? Only dirty bastards!

I see your point, though I'm assuming that if there's a reason the car isn't roadworthy they'll find it regardless of how clean the car is (or at least I'd hope so). Personally I wouldn't wash my car simply because it was going for an MOT but that's me. I don't want my car to be filthy whether or not it needs an MOT.

[KCLeblanc]

(Original post by Juno)
they have to test the seatbelts and things, and they're not gonna enjoy doing that if there's rubbish all over the seats.

They can leave the rear seat belts out of the test, without thinking I put my car in with the back seats folded down.

[JC.]

(Original post by KCLeblanc)
They can leave the rear seat belts out of the test, without thinking I put my car in with the back seats folded down.

That's just the MOT tester being lazy.

[Candygold18]

Its just common courtesy to clean your car prior to a test, gives a good impression as well as not getting in the way of a test, some MOT testers may refuse to carry out the test, if he/she is going to get filthy in the process. There is also the issue of obscured headlights/sidelights/back-lights as well as windscreen and mirrors, this could be failed due to dirt. I would recommend just being grateful for the dull job your dad has so kindly done for you!

[Aack]

I've always had my car valeted for me by the garage, ready for collection after any work/MOT/service. No extra cost.

And whoever said you can fail for having dirty number plates - that's not true. The garage would fix that problem within a matter of seconds and the car would pass, assuming there's nothing else wrong.

[ocelotrevs]

If they can't assess the car because there is dirt and mud in critical places, and they cannot see if there is a dangerous amount of rust. Then it can fail.

Also, if the car is nice and clean an MoT tester will look on it more favourably as they won't be covered in filth after testing the car.

(Original post by Aack)
I've always had my car valeted for me by the garage, ready for collection after any work/MOT/service. No extra cost.

And whoever said you can fail for having dirty number plates - that's not true. The garage would fix that problem within a matter of seconds and the car would pass, assuming there's nothing else wrong.

No, they don't have to do anything in terms of repairing or altering a car. It's an MOT test, not anything else, not matter how minor it might be, they don't have to do anything else.

[JC.]

(Original post by Aack)
I've always had my car valeted for me by the garage, ready for collection after any work/MOT/service. No extra cost.

And whoever said you can fail for having dirty number plates - that's not true. The garage would fix that problem within a matter of seconds and the car would pass, assuming there's nothing else wrong.

It is true.
A pal of mine once had a car that failed on defective washers. When he checked it out the resevoir was empty.
Filled it up and took it back for a re-test and it passed.

It's a TEST - it can only pass or fail according to the rule book. They are not obliged to fix anything.

[x-pixie-lottie-x]

id say thanks dad i refuse to clean my car as the two occasions i have they complained id missed the middle of the roof i couldnt reach it! so now i let them do it themselves...

but no it doesnt... where we take our cars is the garage where my dad used to work (20 years later still gets staff discount, bacon sarnie and a cuppa :|) and my mums car the note on the bottom of the bill was "couldnt check spare too much rubbish"

im pretty sure if a number plate is obscured by mud the police can pull you over....so that should be cleaned all the time let alone for a mot... but if its that dirty you should probably clean the whole car when you finish off roading :P
x