RE: Toyota Corolla failed MOT

[new2diy]

Hi Forum team,

My Toyota Corolla ( 1.6 , 86000 Miles)2003 reg car failed MOT today due to the following:

Exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specific limits & Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle

However, my earlier MOT is due until early April 2018.

I was told by garage mechanic that cost of repairing will be higher than value of the car, given engine has to be opened?

Unfortunately since last year have had to top up engine oil around 0.5 ltr every other week. I have read elsewhere that possibly piston heads are knackered and these are costly to replace. This is a problem with Toyota with a 10+ year old engine.

I spent money on full servicing of the car in Dec 2017. If the cost to repair is indeed higher than the resale value of the car, do I have to sell this car now or is it worth having the car repaired?

Please can you confirm what to do next?

MOT sheet doesn't say anything about it being dangerous to drive.My old MOT is valid until April 2018. I guess I have time until March to dispose off the car.

Not getting more than £500 from the dealer as part exchange

2014 Hyundai / Kia with 10,000 miles cost no less than £7,500 - £8,500

[Rorschach]

If repair costs more than the car is worth then it's pretty simple.

When you are driving a 10+ year old car, a lot of repairs are costly in relation to the value of the vehicle, but as long as the bulk of the car is in good working order (and you are happy) then it's worth it.

My 10 year old Focus estate will get about £500 or so spent it this year, just had a couple of new tyres, new wishbones, need to do some servicing and change the aux belt, couple more tyres later in the year I expect and a bit of exhaust work to do. The car is probably not worth more than a grand so this work seems expensive however the car is in good condition, the engine runs well and is very reliable, everything that I am doing is replacing consumables really. So to me that's worth it.

If something expensive though like you are talking about were to go wrong, the ECU for example, the car would be scrap immediately, it's the nature of things.

[Dave54]

If something expensive though like you are talking about were to go wrong, the ECU for example, the car would be scrap immediately, it's the nature of things.

http://www.ecutesting.com/catalogue/for ... &model=492
Looks like they do them for most cars.
I've never used them, but have kept them bookmarked. Lifetime warranty.

Worn engines can get expensive to rebuild though!

[Bob225]

once a car has failed its mot, you can not drive it apart to a place of repair

The failed MOT supersedes the previous one, You do not have a valid MOT

The car with no mot is only worth scrap value you may get £50-100 for from a breakers yard

The car sounds like it needs new piston rings that involves a full rebuild, even getting a new engine in it will cost you £1000-2000

[Dave54]

once a car has failed its mot, you can not drive it apart to a place of repair

The failed MOT supersedes the previous one, You do not have a valid MOT

The car with no mot is only worth scrap value you may get £50-100 for from a breakers yard

The car sounds like it needs new piston rings that involves a full rebuild, even getting a new engine in it will cost you £1000-2000

Not what it says here Bob
https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/after-the-test

[Bob225]

"In both cases, your vehicle still needs to meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times or you can be fined."

If it has failed a mot and hasn't been issued a new certificate, it makes the car unroadworthy

the mot rules changed in 2015 iirc

edit. its all in the dvsa site (was vosa and the dvla) and in the MOT hand book, No MOT, May also invalidate your insurance too

Edit 1. from the RAC

Can you drive with a failed MOT?

Technically yes - but only if your existing MOT certificate is still in date and valid. This situation can only occur if you've had the car tested in the month leading up to the expiry date.

However, you will still need to get the faults corrected by the MOT's date of expiry or you won't get a new MOT certificate. If the car is not considered roadworthy and you are driving it, you could be stopped and prosecuted.

Driving a car that has failed its MOT is never recommended.


Technically yes - but only if your existing MOT certificate is still in date and valid. This situation can only occur if you've had the car tested in the month leading up to the expiry date.

However, you will still need to get the faults corrected by the MOT's date of expiry or you won't get a new MOT certificate. If the car is not considered roadworthy and you are driving it, you could be stopped and prosecuted.

Driving a car that has failed its MOT is never recommended.

Edit 2.

Check the mot status - https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-status

[Dave54]

Which still means that as long as the vehicle is "roadworthy" you can drive it on the existing MOT.
Not that the old MOT is "superceded" by the fail.
I'm not saying that it wouldn't be foolish to keep driving a failed car around mind you.

[Bob225]

As its more than a month of the expiry date it does supersede it, the law will screw you on a technicality

The op needs to check there MOT status

As a side topic. new mot rules come in may 20th there quite a few changes diesels will have tighter emission, dpf filters will now be checked if removed or tampered with its a instant fail as well as excess smoke

Reverse lights are now a testable item, A MIL or engine light on is a fail for any reason, if you have a brake light warning light on its a fail (pads with sensors) even if the pads are in good condition, worn or lipped brake discs are going to be a fail item at the discretion of the tester - now the odd one, colour and cleanliness of the brake fluid

There also introducing a Dangerous, Major and Minor system

I got my car MOT'd last week and was having a chat with the tester

[Dave54]

I can't find anything about getting an MOT test more than a month before the present certificate expires and failing invalidating the present ticket anywhere apart from that RAC quote.

TBH the whole thing is about as clear as mud anyway, but as you say checking the present status should clear it up.

Whatever the case, a fail means that work needs doing.

[Rorschach]

If something expensive though like you are talking about were to go wrong, the ECU for example, the car would be scrap immediately, it's the nature of things.

http://www.ecutesting.com/catalogue/for ... &model=492
Looks like they do them for most cars.
I've never used them, but have kept them bookmarked. Lifetime warranty.

Worn engines can get expensive to rebuild though!

The ECU was just an off the cuff remark of something expensive, but that's a brilliant link though, very handy to know about. Cheers!

[Rorschach]

You can drive any vehicle regardless of MOT status as long as you are either going to a garage for repair or going to an MOT test.

Whether it is wise to do so is another matter, whether you get stopped and checked as to the road worthiness of the vehicle is also another matter.

[getthewheelsinline]

Your insurance would probably be invalidated also.

[dewaltdisney]

I would say it is not worth putting any more money in and it is better looking at a newer car. Hyundai are great cars and a warranty up to 5 years. You lose money whatever car you have through depreciation or as they get older progressive repairs. It really depends on how much you rely on a car for your day to day travel. If it is of paramount importance get as new as you can if not you can get by cheaper and older.

DWD