I've also posted this on Pistonheads but thought I would post here as well for perhaps more Jag specific advice

Saturday 30th November
Just a general question on MOTs.

I bought a 1998 Jaguar and had a mechanic provide a full inspection for me before purchasing.

6 months or so later it has failed it's MOT. 5 minor fails but the big one falls under advisories.

Under advisories it states twice (left and right) 'excessive corrosion within 30cm of the seat belt mounting DANGEROUS'

No mention of this in the mechanic report. It falls under advisory. But Halfords (who did MOT) said I need to sort this problem out first and that I need to take it to an auto welder who will probably charge me £4000 for the work.

Given that I have the mechanic report that doesnt mention this at all, and that this falls under advisory, but Halfords are basically saying it can't pass without it, should I just take it for an MOT somewhere else and see if I get a different outcome?

The whole point of getting a mechanic report before I bought was to try to avoid this sort of thing.

Is another MOT assessor going to look on the database and see what Halfords assessor saw, or do I have the option of seeing someone else says something completely different?

 

 

Inspection report

 

That list looks very easy to fix to pass the MOT. The advisories are just that, you don't need to fix them.

However if you have corrosion, £4,000 seems like a reasonable guess given that where there is some corrosion, there will be more. The only way to find out is to start digging, or just ignore it until next year.

 

It is only the "Dangerous" and "Major" defects which result in a fail. You can ignore the "Minors" and "Advisories" for the time being as you have at least a year to sort them out.

The rear fog lamp and headlamp aim are easy fixes and the remaining problems are all connected with the operation of the handbrake. The tester at my local Halfords does not understand how the X100 handbrake works even though I have tried to explain it to him. If you feel that the handbrake is working fine, then taking the car to another test station might well result in a pass.

Richard

 

As stated, you only need worry about the actual fails, not the advisories. Personally I would never take a car to Halfords for an MOT, or to anywhere that might use the MOT as a way to get work. I'm fortunate that the place I've used for about 20 years is super honest, too busy to make up additional work, and know that I do all repairs myself.

The best places for an honest MOT are usually the ones run by local councils (see https://www.carveto.co.uk/mot-check/council-centres/ for a list), as they only do MOTs and no type of repair work.

 

I only went to Halfords cuz I was was in a fix with my X5. I took a chance on them and it failed on 4 items, all, coincidentally, things that Halfords sold. For about £40 investment I got it passed.

Hoped I might be this lucky this time. Sadly not!

 

As others have said an advisory is not a fail.

However, the two issues highlighted as excessive corrosion within 30cm of seat belt mounting (a prescribed area) should be fails not advisories.

I can't fathom how something can be flagged as "Dangerous" but only an advisory. Don't know if it's possible in the MOT system for them to have accidentally put them in the wrong category? Especially as they commented that you need to sort them out first.

I'd suggest if you go somewhere else for another test you would likely see those two issues categorised as as a Major Fail item.

 

That's a very good point. If I were the OP I might take the car somewhere that does pre-MOTs and ask them. At least then they would have an independent opinion.

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What's the advantage of somewhere that does pre-MOTs?

 

Just because they specialise in the subject and can give you an MOT tester's opinion.

I think though that it doesn't really matter, unless Halfords made it up, it looks like there is some welding to do, which could cost you a few hundred if you are lucky, or a few thousand if you are not. You did the right thing by having the car inspected before you bought it, so if you are lucky the rust isn't too bad.

Fingers crossed and let us know how you get on.

 

Were you in the homestead tonight? You have a pm.

 

Post up a pic of the underside of the seat belt anchor bolt, it's just inside the sill. May save your life if you get it fixed first.

 

£4000 dont be stupid the cars not worth that much..
Get a wire brush and some Waxoil wire brush all rust you can see and spray it over inc brake pipes. If he has been pulling the carpet up to examine seat belt mounts paint and then glue it down My MOT man loves my car cus he thinks I look after it .
Adjust the handbrake

 

Just to say thank you. All sorted satisfactorily via VC Classics at Rossington Doncaster. Thanks for all the advice

 

Did it actually need £4000 of welding in the end?

 

No, got it all sorted for under £2000

 

May I ask where?

 

VC Classics/Restorations Rossington Doncaster 🙂

 

A big difference to the Halfraud's price.