MOT advisory items

[Piff]

Number 1 son has just had his A-Class MOT'd. It's an 09 plate with 25k miles, A160. It passed.

The MOT station has given 3 advisories, 2 of which I think are quite bizzare, the third I would appreciate some advice from the knowledgeable people

1. Undertrays fitted obscuring some underside components. So if components obscured is it a pass or a fail? What is the point of this statement?
2. Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay. So if components obscured is it a pass or a fail? Again, what is the point, most cars now have engine covers & undertrays.
3. Play in steering rack inner joints. Here is where I'd like some advice. If the play is that bad it would fail. So how long (roughly) has he got before it needs attention and what is the attention likely to cost?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

The first two advisories are because the MOT tester isn't allowed to physically move something to have a look in a certain area.

 

[Dieselman]

None are failures, just advisories.

Play in the steering isn't good at 25k miles.

 

[Piff]

The first two advisories are because the MOT tester isn't allowed to physically move something to have a look in a certain area.

Then I guess everyone gets these advisories

 

[Piff]

Play in the steering isn't good at 25k miles.

Any thoughts on cause & cure? (and cost of cure?)

 

[Dieselman]

Any thoughts on cause & cure? (and cost of cure?)

Steering track rods, inner joint wear.

Pretty cheap in the overall scheme of things. Just leave it for now, but have a feel of the rod to check for joint movement as someone rocks the steering wheel left and right.

 

[NOMONEYBUTAMERC]

As SPX on the first two items , the advisories are just to cover the testers a*se . With regard to the steering rack , not sure about this model , but many racks are adjustable . Worth checking with MB or an independent . If its the ball joints worn , these are quite inexpensive to replace. Given the age/miles I would be very surprised if the rack needs replacing.

 

[joecash]

does your son service the car himself? if so I would find a decent indy and get him to take it there and get the covers off and check everything properly including the steering. we're only on this earth once so make sure its as long as possible!! As DM says play in the steering at 25k shouldn't be.

 

[grober]

Looks as if the inner steering joints are "bolt on" replacements -- assuming you can get at them?? On that basis should not be too expensive. A rack that looks to be different proposition!!! STEERING GEAR AND STEERING LINKAGE STEERING íà Mercedes A 160 CDI (169.306) | Êàòàëîã çàï÷àñòåé Mercedes, ïîäáîð àâòîçàï÷àñòåé äëÿ ëåãêîâûõ àâòîìîáèëåé Ìåðñåäåñ (ðåãèîí Åâðîïà) ïî àâòîêàòàëîãó.

 

[Piff]

does your son service the car himself?

No, he uses a local garage which is ex MG-Rover & ex TVR. Now a TVR/Noble/Mini specialist & new MG main dealer.
Car was serviced only a couple of weeks before MOT & suprising they weren't after the extra business.
MOT done by Hi-Q centre adjacent to sons works (he gets a staff discount there I believe)

 

[grober]

OK had a quick shufty on WIS and it looks a very straight forward job and access relatively easy. Couple of snags - one-- there are 2 + different inner tie rods depending on the steering rack "ends" - Rack and tie rods have to be matched- altho EPC rack no / chassis no should do it. and second cars tracking- toe out ? will have to be checked afterwards.

 

[Piff]

ok had a quick shufty on wis and it looks a very straight forward job and access relatively easy. Couple of snags - one-- there are 2 + different inner tie rods depending on the steering rack "ends" - rack and tie rods have to be matched- altho epc rack no / chassis no should do it. And second cars tracking- toe out ? Will have to be checked afterwards.

wis ?

 

[BTB 500]

wis ?

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