Are MOT testers supposed to replace any underseal they scrape off? The last one to do the ZX seems to have scraped off all the underseal within at least
I've not checked, but AFAIK they are not allowed to scrape off any protective coatings, only prod or tap the surfaces for any weaknesses. Maybe if they find something they can remove it, but not just to check. Mike.
>"Mike G" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:
Agreed, but it sounds like they found some very unsound and loose underseal - in which case, they've done Doki a favour by removing it...
Not really. Having seen the car up on a ramp it's clear that the underseal's been scraped off back to shiny bare metal.
MOT testers are absolutely NOT allowed to remove any protective coatings or perform any sort of destructive test or major dismantling. What they can do is refuse to test if they think excessive underseal is concealing something dodgy and request it be removed by you first. They cannot remove it themselves. In fact you can sue for the cost of replacing it.
In the case of visible corrosion there is an approved tool they are allowed to use for light scraping but only on the rust itself. They can't scrape away anything else to let them get at places they suspect might be rusty but can't see.
You can also complain to VOSA who will give the tester a severe bollocking or even remove his license.
Sounds like they should have told you they'd done that!
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