Well, we took MoHo for her first MOT since it expired last August and here's the list. I have omitted a few minor bits, like headlamp aim, exhaust probs that we knew about etc...
NSR inner sill near front mount Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
NSR near rear mount Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
Rear near rear mount Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
Rear crossmember near NSR spring mount Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
NSF d bush Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
OSF d bush Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
NSR Rear brake binding (3.7.A.5a)
Rear both Stop lamps remain on when the brakes are released (1.2.1e)
NSR Rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.A.7a)
There were a fair few advisories tbh, but one thing at a time, eh!
Handbrake we knew about as we'd tried to adjust without any luck. Brakes were a tad spongy so the rear brake binding part wasn't a surprise.
'Brake lights permanently on' were a 'wtf' cos we tested them prior and I also followed the missus all the 10 miles to the test centre and there weren't any probs then! Sods law...
Obvs our main prob, like with many trannys is the tin worm
We were hoping to take the van to Glastonbury in 6 weeks
Looking at the list is it as bad as it looks?One positive is that we thought at least 3, if not all of the tyres would fail (van has been unused for a year) but only the OSF is an advisory. So in effect we have 'saved' £208 from what we were quoted for them and were expecting to have to fork out (trying hard to justify things here!)
On another positive, we have 2 excellent neighbours who are happy to at least try to sort it for us. They are amateur welders/mechanics and wouldn't want any more than beer tokens as it's their hobby. They are always doing repairs for other neighbours etc and are sound fellas (older guys who have been doing it for years.) One of them has had a quick look underneath (due to the rain) but has said he'll do his best to sort it if poss.
What do you think? Worth giving it a shot knowing it shouldn't cost too much or call it a day? We've spent months on tarting it up to the best of our abilities.
Please remember that we aren't proficient mechanics, just 2 gals who haven't much cash but wanted to have a go and hopefully take it to Glasto with the kiddy - save camping again etc. We don't go away often as we can't afford it and this was the best we could do.
We can't begin to convey our disappointment. The tester is an old mate of my brothers and did say that he's been as kind as poss, only charging us for a car MOT rate as well (£29) so I don't think he's been extra harsh tbh. But we aren't bodywork experts so don't know for certain.
So deflated right now - we thought it would fail, but just on the brakes and maybe a couple of other bits, nowhere near as much as this
What would you do? (Apart from crack open the beers in despair, like we are doing!)
Thanks for reading, guys
But we didn't have any other option.