I'll be using my Series 2 on the road properly soon and am thinking whether to take it for it's "MOT" even though I don't need to now.

When I aquired it last Autumn, it had just passed it's MOT (by the previous owner). During the work to upgrade it since then we have found that it was in a pretty lethal state. i.e the flex brake hoses were split, mostly taped up and spitting out fluid... propshaft joints badly worn, steering rack tons of play and totally loose. - So, I was wondering how many others will actually Mot their motors for the sake of safety even when now, it's not required.

Perhaps a pre-MOT check is the answer.. are they cheaper?

Most of the things you listed are serviceable items that need replacing when required and you SHOULD notice your break pedal is hitting the floor and not stopping you!

You have a fair point but you should also use your common sence

although not compulsary id take it through an MOT just for peace of mind and if it fails you get a nice list of things that need doing and no need to rush getting it done within 14 days for a retest

or better still if you know someone who is a tester or does MOT prep work its always worth getting them to go through it for a few beer tokens

well i probably will but certainly not every year, if i was more mechanically orientated i might not.

You're dead right about common sense of course but as an example... On my daily motor I have noticed an increasing rumbling noise on cornering. Had a look myself, checked wheel bearings as far as I could but couldn't find it. Took it to garage that I use and even he said he couldn't find it but that it probably wasn't a wheel bearing and to just wait and see what happens. Took it for an MOT yesterday and they said don't drive it and put "Dangerous" on the refusal certificate!!!

There is a garage close to where I live that does a very thorough test. They kept failing my old Jeep on minor stuff so I've kept away since! - Maybe I should take it there, it's just that they charge the full MOT fee (£54) when many others discount down to £35 and one at £28.

Also, Are the MOT station just going to test it for basics that were only required in 1959? - This makes it an easy job for them and they still would get the full fee. I wonder if you can ask them to do a test as if it were a much more resent vehicle, obviously allowing for the basic drum brakes.

I wonder what would happen if it failed... would they feel that they had to put it on the system as dangerous and a failure???

i think a fail is recorded now, the problem would be if you had an accident and the insurers found out you had failed and the problem had not been rectified, they could claim the vehicle was unroadworthy and refuse to pay out.

I should imagine you could also be prosecuted for driving a vehicle that is unroadworthy.

I am often sceptical about mots, i have loads of instances over the years where things have been missed, or advisory items one year not even being mentioned the year after by the same garage etc, like everyone else the testers make mistakes.

One place failed my chevy on inadequate water from the screen washers, i knew that was rubbish so i showed the guy how to press the clearly labelled switch, he then paassed the vehicle.

Should you skimp on safety?..............no