Mattpvfc

Hi guys and girls

Brand new owner here, picked it up yesterday and already having concerns.

I brought a 08 plate silver 49k miles from a Honda dealer and starting to find out they haven't been as honest as you would like. When I went to pick it up, it wasn't on site which raised a few queries but when asked they said it was in valet.

However having done some research I found out it was having a MOT after failing the day before. The issue it failed on was:

• Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage likely to become detached (5.3.3 (a) (ii))

The MOT was done again on the day I picked it up and its passed with no advisories. Could anyone enlighten as to the severity of that issue and If it is something that they could do a proper fix on in less than 24hrs?

Also, I've managed to put a slight 1 inch tear in the roof as I opened it and the latch got caught. :-(

Thanks guys

Car Analogy

You can replace a rollbar link in about 5 min.

Its simply a short section of metal bar, with a heim joint on each end. Two bolts hold it on, one in each heim joint.

It connects the rollbar (which is simply a big, solid bar that acts as a spring connecting left suspension to right suspension) to the lower control arm. So there is one of these links on each side of the car.

If one of these failed, the car would handle funny. If you were just driving along calmly, you might barely notice. If you were pushing limits it can become dangerous due to spooky handling.

B serious

yes, they can remedy that in 1 day.

question is why it was loose in the first place.

Mattpvfc

[QUOTE=Car Analogy;24564483]You can replace a rollbar link in about 5 min.


Huge thanks for this, appreciate the explanation... settles my nerves bit.. apart from the comment below.. why?!

Car Analogy

They're joints, subject to wear. They are expected to wear out eventually, and be replaced.

They are not expensive parts.

noodels

They also pop out,then it needs replacing.

Chuck S

(Extraneous material edited out.)

The former owner had the car MOTed (is that a verb?) and corrected a simple defect. You're not having any issues.

-- Chuck

Mike's

Anti roll bar end links are cheap enough to replace every few years as a few have said they can ( pop ) joint becomes seperated due to wear and tear, easily replaced in a hour even if you have to cut the old ones off

Chuck S

I would take a guess and say its a UK car, here in the UK you have test every 12months

here is a copy and paste

What does MOT stand for?

Contrary to popular belief, MOT is simply an acronym for Ministry of Transport. Anticlimactic, right? Yeah, we thought so too. Since we couldn’t make a blog post about simply answering: “What does an MOT stand for?” we thought we’d go into some more information on the subject. You can find this below:

MOT

MOT, which we now know stands for Ministry of Transport, is actually now named after a defunct government department. The Ministry of Transport is, however, one of the ancestors of the Department for Transport.

There are over 20,000 local garages in Great Britain that are licenced to carry out, and award, MOTs – employing over 53,000 testers. An MOT testing license can be applied for by anyone, although you’d need to meet the minimum criteria of the government-issued VT01 form.

In Northern Ireland, tests must be carried out by DVA’s own test centres, which is their equivalent to the UK’s DVSA. There is a view to change this to a similar model to that of the remainder of the UK, though.

Aspects of an MOT Test

Just for good measure, the following are the main facets of an MOT test:

– The vehicle’s general structure, including its bodywork, are tested for corrosion and damage.
– Brakes are tested to ensure proper efficiency, performance and condition.
– Checks on the driver’s visibility are carried out by testing the wipers, washer bottle and windscreen.
– Exhaust checks are performed, as are checks on the fuel system itself.
– Lighting, including indicators, hazards, brake lights, and headlights will be checked to ensure the condition, operation, security, colour and aim is up to standard.
– Seatbelts will be examined for type, condition, operation and security that provides adequate safety.
– Steering and suspension systems are checked for the correct condition and operation.
– Tyres will be checked for the right condition, size, type and tread depth; with wheels being checked for condition, size and type also.

Hopefully, you now feel more clued up on MOTs, and might do a bit better if any related questions ever come up in a pub quiz

Chuck S

We're subjected to a MOT-type annual inspection here in Virginia as well but it takes 15 minutes or so.* I get the impression the dreaded MOT inspection takes longer and is more invasive. PITA but in the case above seems like it was beneficial since the dealer's alleged mechanics didn't spot the problem. Otherwise these required annual inspections just seem to be part of a job creation and tax program for inspection sites -- although my windshield wipers needed replacement last year. Despite no required inspections in 33 of the 50 US states the roads are not littered with derelict and wrecked cars.

*All my cars other than the S2000 take 15 minutes. The S2000 takes longer as 5 or 6 mechanics get under there with flashlights and make cooing noises as they point out things to each other.

-- Chuck

Car Analogy

There are some very dangerous cars out on US roads. Bald tires, bad brakes, worn ball joints, bouncing shocks, rusted out floors...

Often irresponsible peope that don't get their cars fixed also drive them irresponsibly. So you've got these rolling wrecks being driven recklessly.