I have a tire that is marginal to pass the MOT, and the spare is a space saver, the same diameter as the others but thinner. Can I put this on to get it through the MOT? I shall get a new one if it passes, but would rather not spent the money if it is going to fail anyway.
Thanks in advance.
It should not pass as it is incorrectly sized in relation to the others, space savers are a get you to the next garage option, not designed for continual use. You could leave it on and just accept the failure, if it is only that then most places will only charge a nominal amount for the re-test. Ask at your MoT place what their retest policy is.
davidjones ( snipped-for-privacy@myself.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:
No. They must be the same size side-to-side.
Put it in for the test as is, and if it fails on the tyre alone, replace the tyre.
However, it's well worth remembering that a tyre that's "marginal" for the MOT is also "marginal" for actual use - legally (3pts & £60) - and WELL past safe use.
The MOT is NOT an annual high-water point. It's a bare minimum.
My MoT man passes tyres that I consider to be very unsafe, even if I query them he points out the letter of the MoT law. I get new ones anyway, but it does surprise me sometimes just what IS legal!
I know some people like to leave something like an obvious dodgy tyre on the car so that the MoT man has something to concentrate on and hopefully he will miss other things !!
Mrcheerful ("Mrcheerful" ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:
I've never subscribed to that line of thought.
If the MOT man sees a car with an obviously bald tyre, he's going to think "Hmm. Obviously not been looked after - what else is up?" If he sees something that "feels" right - four good brand, good condition tyres, all the bulbs/wiper blades right - then he's more likely to have a good feeling about the rest.
It _shouldn't_ make any difference, but it might tip something that's borderline into an advisory.
Thanks for all the advice. As nowadays the MOT is about as much as a tire I may as well put a new one on before the MOT and hope for the best.
And you won't get 3 points and a 60 quid fine unless you're below the bare minimum, s*****ad.
Terry ( snipped-for-privacy@googlemail.com (Terry)) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:
well i guess by now you know it wont pass with a space saver wheel fitted.
you'd be surprised at the number of people that take their spare tyre out because the tyre or wheel is knackered & they think its part of the mot.
Why not just put it in with the dodgy tyre and if it fails, replace it? As long as you take the car back by the end of the next working day, tyres are "free retest" items.
Ian
Adrian is a long standing, knowledgeable and unfailingly courteous contributor to uk.rec.cars.maintenance.
Who are you?
Ian
He's a s*****ad.
Adrian is a s*****ad. If that's your idea of "unfailingly courteous" you're probably a pikey like him.
More to the point, who are you?
You're a total d*****ad, Filth.
To the MOT knowledgeable: could the OP rob another same sized space saver off another car and pass the test with 2 on the same axle?
nope, not acceptable even if it had all four on the vehicle, space saver wheels are not acceptable, they are a temporary get you "home" measure.
...and here's the evidence if needed:
It is not obvious from that where the evidence is, fancy elaborating? I can only guess it is somewhere in one of these bits:
B. Load Index and Speed Rating (Applicable to Class VII only) b. a tyre that has a load index (or ply rating and tyre size) that is inadequate for the permitted maximum laden weight of the axle to which it is fitted. Vehicles not fitted with Ministry plate
The varous letters on my space saver (that I have now removed for a new one) are given below. It looks to me like the speed rating is H, so it is OK under the second. I do not know how to check the load index but it would be pretty dodgy if a car was supplied with the wrong one, even if it was to get you home.
195/60R15 88H NCT 3 4RIB-E
If you genuinely can't see on that link why a car with a spacesaver will fail the MOT, I despair!
"Reason for rejection"
"b. Special lightweight or space saving wheels and tyres fitted as road wheels"
You don't even need to scroll down to find it!
Chris
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.