UK motorists-1 in 10 think the MOT test is Only an OPTION?

24th November 2023/1 Comment/in mot testing/by Eric Roberts

Millions of UK motorists are clueless

about the legal requirement for MOT test, insurance and road tax (Mot’s only cover approx 20% of your car being checked but servicing covers approx. 70% as i was told when i last…

Eric Roberts’ insight:

As the owner of an MOT test station

Of course, I do believe these figures from the excellent Auto express magazine. Significantly this article makes interesting reading ! Stating that 10% of UK motorists . Many car owners do not know that the MOT test is compulsory ! Importantly, on cars that are over three years old.

The British government are computerizing the vehicle system. Including the whole system of car insuring and road tax along with the DVLA MOT Rules. In my opinion, they would be better off aligning the three systems. This of course would make it much easier to regulate and also for ease of use to the vehicle owners.

So, enabling it impossible to have one thing without the other ! Of course, at the moment, they are not aligned . Incredibly, you could have a car insured without an MOT test. In my opinion, this will be the Governments aim. Because at the end of this year the road tax disc will be abolished and the system will go online. Making it easier for the UK motorists, the List of New MOT Rules and details will probably have to be entered along with the insurance details. Thus tightening up on the whole system which is at the moment flawed.

Today 2019, then this as all been implemented. Therefore no UK vehicles have to show a tax disc ! Vehicle data is all computerised and also available at any time for police officers to check.

Hi I would like to introduce myself. Working in the Garage and tyre and Battery business now for 40 years. So. Working for a couple of national tyre companies before starting my first business. Of course, I now own a company here in the UK called Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre. Blogging about anything to do with cars and their related products. Naturally, that will help my business.

See on www.autoexpress.co.uk

MOT Inspection Manual Renewed-to be introduced in May to reflect testing service changes-MOT Testing Halifax

24th November 2023/in All MOT Matters/by Eric Roberts

MOT Inspection Manual Renewed

In my mind then this falls in line with another aspect of the MOT testing scene. Last week the transport minister announced the scrapping of the first MOT test for cars of 4 year old.

As the owner of a testing station in Halifax, UK. This would have been a huge mistake. As a result the current 3 year spell will be resurrected from the scrap heap. Common sense and a lot of pressure from the garage industry showed the government what a mistake it would have been to implement the four year gap from new to the first test.

The second part of this article is about the introduction of a new MOT inspection manual. One of the implementations will be to to change the categorize a cars defects so that they’re rated as dangerous, major, or minor.

This of course is one of those improvement that in my opinion existed on the old system. Just that the words have changed?

On this new system then the Minor is the same as the “old advisory” The major and the dangerous are both fails. The difference is that the dangerous part of fail is explained to the customer who will be warned that the car is too dangerous to drive away.

MOT Inspection Manual Renewed some parts confuse me

The “dangerous part of the fail was also available on the old system that will be replaced. So, it just looks like the swapping round of words. When talking to Ryan Linton, my MOT tester about the changes, then I became confused. We both agree that there did not seem like anything was wrong with the old part of the system with the old classes of mot reporting

It was either pass or fail. With an option to list the car as dangerous which could be explained to the customer. As the tester an explanation for the dangerous would be given to the customer. In my simple mind then the new system looks confusing. Like anything else though, I suppose we will get used to it and everything will fall into place.

To finalise a great blog to explain all this the “matters of testing” blog and is worth a look at this subject.

The DVSA is to introduce its new MOT inspection manual for class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles to reflect changes to the MOT test which will be introduced in May 2018. The new manual, which must
Source: New MOT inspection manual to be introduced in May to reflect testing service changes – Garagewire

Leisure Batteries Storage time again as Winter approaches?

23rd November 2023/1 Comment/in All Battery Information/by Eric Roberts

Leisure Batteries Storage

It is storing your Leisure Batteries Storage time

The extremely mild weather here in the UK. Has brought out all the spring flowers,(earlier than normal). It is also bringing out the caravan and motorhome users, into thinking about their first 2014 trips out. Hence, judging by the amount of leisure batteries that we are selling at the moment.

Normally we see a surge of sales and inquiries just a few weeks before Easter. But this year the sales are coming early. One of the most popular batteries that we sell. Thus,to the caravan and campervan (RV) fraternity is the XV31 110 amp leisure battery . This battery is made by a battery manufacturer in South Korea. This also covers smaller battery sizes, including XV 23, XV 24, and XV 27 and, of course, the XV31. This battery along with the LV26, and along with the smaller LV 22 are made by Johnson Controls . Of course one of the World’s leading battery developer and battery manufacturer.

This year is a particularly good time to buy this Leisure Batteries product. Because due to the mild winter.Subsequently, the sales of car batteries have dropped off. Meaning the leading battery companies are well down on sales of car batteries.So,are looking forward to the next battery season. Which includes the sale of leisure batteries, motorcycle batteries, mobility scooter batteries, golf cart batteries. Including, other seasonal things such as lawn mower batteries. Of course, the guys who are lucky enough to own a classic car. Classic car batteries are huge sellers.

Leisure Batteries Storage

What normally happens is that the owners of these types of battery-driven machines equipment will get them out as soon as the weather improves and start getting warmer, which is normally around April time here in the UK. But this year we are about three weeks to a month in front, due to the mild weather. In fact, I have recently seen a butterfly and many bees flying about and also the grass on my lawn needs cutting for the first time after the winter.

People all over will be getting out their golf and gardening equipment only to find that their battery is flat and will not work. Most of the time the battery will recover when it is charged, but people are reluctant to charge their battery throughout the winter months. Up to recent times, the battery chargers were of the old fashioned types that you put onto your battery

and then took off when the battery was fully charged but these days you can buy what they call “intelligent battery chargers”. These chargers are made by well-known companies such as “Ring Electrical” and “Numax”, and are well worth the investment. What you have to do is find out the correct amps that you require for your size of the battery, remove the Leisure Batteries from the caravan or lawn mower, whatever it is on, give the Leisure Batteries a clean and if it is not a sealed battery, check the levels.

You can then connect the leisure battery to the smart charger

, (preferably in a frost free place) and leave it to charge all the winter long. The charger will then keep your leisure battery charge topped up to the correct levels and automatically switch on and off when charging is required. This way you will end up with a nice clean fully charged the battery when the time comes to use it.

New Type of Battery for Storing Solar Power Energy for night time use| MIT Technology Review

23rd November 2023/2 Comments/in All Battery Information/by Eric Roberts

New Type of Battery

Aquion manufactures New Type of Battery, long-lasting batteries for storing renewable energy. (Demo: #Aquion manufactures cheap, long-lasting batteries for storing renewable energy.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Another New Type of Battery for solar energy Hits the Road

Mount Pleasant in Pennsylvania will be the site for the production of yet another new type of battery. The company will be known as Aquion Energy and will start producing a new type of battery. Consequently, that was invented by professor J Whitacre. So, from the material science department of the Carnegie Mellon University.

These new type of battery is expected to cost about the same to produce as lead-acid ones. Naturally, that are in common use today for a multitude of applications. But are expected to last twice as long. They will be primarily used for the storage of the suns power generated . Significantly, from Solar Panels for Electricity and Turbines. Offering a storage facility for homes in rural and isolated areas. Knowingly, that use the off grid powered by the sun. So, which supplies and require storage for night use and bad weather when the sun is not available. At the moment these people use different types of lead-acid ones and fossil fueled engines powered by diesel as standby supplies when the sun does not shine for whatever reasons.

For the reasons that I have explained this new type of battery

So, is expected to be used in countries that do not have an electric grid, but are expected to get electricity in the near future and because this new type of battery will be available for storage, then these countries will save a huge amount of money by running diesel generators when the sun does not shine and at night. I am sure that Africa will be one of the first places to benefit from such inventions.

The new company have also used ingenious ways of saving money during the manufacturing process of the new batteries, using machines that were originally used for making aspirin pills to make the thin plates used to make the positive and negative electrode materials. They also use parts from a sweet wrapping machine to pack the electrodes together to collect current.

The company expects to start full scale production in early 2014 and hopes to make enough batteries to supply 150 solar powered villages.

See on www.technologyreview.com

Bridgestone Run-Flat tyres-These Runflat tyres are undoubtedly a serious Safety Feature

22nd November 2023/1 Comment/in All Bridgestone/Firestone Tyres Stuff/by Eric Roberts

Bridgestone Run-Flat tyres

When I first heard about the Bridgestone Run-Flat tyres concept,

At first, I was a little bit skeptical. So, about how runflats would work? Say when the car was driven at eighty miles per hour on a wet busy motorway. However as time has gone on and with a little more research. Then I have got used to the idea of your car not having a spare wheel. Also the fact that the car does not swerve or deviate as the tyre is deflated at speed.

Now run-flat tyres are just part of the tyre scene. Our customers just accept the fact that if one goes flat and they have to drive home on it. Consequently, then they are going to need a new tyre at some stage in the future. I am a great advocate of road safety. Convinced at the fact that tyres play a great part in the tyre safety picture.

Run-flat tyres are now part of that picture along with all the other safety features. Hence, that are being produced by innovative tyre companies at the moment. Such as “self-seal” technology. Recently, introduced by Continental tyres, Pirelli tyres and Kumho tyres.

The fact is that run-flat tyres are now being fitted to many cars. Now one of the leading makers of Run Flat Tyres . Of course, are the giant number one tyre company of the World, Bridgestone tyres. One of the growth markets for run-flat tyres is the larger and heavier premium cars. Such as Mercedes and BMW. Who have in fact worked side by side with Bridgestone to help develop this concept of tyre. Naturally which is safe for the driver and just as important to other road users.

Bridgestone Run-Flat tyres

If run-flat tyres are subject to a sudden pressure loss. So, then the car will keep driving in a straight line. Continuing on its journey. Of course,without any mishandling or deviation. So not causing any problems to the other drivers in the same vicinity. A normal car tyre that is subject to an instant loss of pressure would probably disintegrate at speed and because the car to deviate badly, this is, in fact, the cause of many car crashes, this could result in the car colliding with several other cars causing a very bad accident.

Another good point to remember is that there is no need to have to pull onto the shoulder and change your spare wheel? You can drive the car, to your nearest tyre centre. If you are a stranger to the area then I would suggest that you look up your nearest independent tyre centre. These centres are dotted all over the UK and are vetted for a fair price and give excellent service.

A slight drawback with run-flat tyres is

That once you have detected that the tyre is no longer inflated, then you are restricted to driving at 50 mph at a distance of 50 miles, but this can give most people ample time to get to the nearest town and have the tyre changed. Also for the old-fashioned amongst you then the cars with run-flats, do not have a spare, this was

originally to give the cars more space where the spare tyre would normally be sitting, also it lightens the weight of the car to help conform with emission controls.

Also, BMW Run Flat Tires Problems now run alongside with the TPMS systems (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems). This warns the driver if the tyres are losing any pressure, or in fact if the tyres have suffered from an instant loss of air. The warning light will illuminate and warn the driver that they have a problem with a tyre. This is a great all round system and is a great safety feature in many new models of cars that are now entering the marketplace, including the SUV models.

Other tyre companies also make the run-flat tyre and I believe that a budget tyre is available made by economy tyre company Wanli. Most of the leading tyre companies now make run-flat tyres and there is now a large choice available.

Self Sealing Tyre-

22nd November 2023/in All Tyre Articles/by Eric Roberts

Self Sealing Tyre

This is not a new Self Sealing Tyre from Kumho tyres?

This type of thing is not a new idea. Continental tyres recently brought out their own version of the self-sealing tyre. That they call the “Conti-Seal”. Pirelli tyres also do a similar thing that they call the “Seal-Inside”. (It is what it says on the tin) as they say.

This type of self-sealing tyre development is an excellent idea. Especially, for road safety and they all work on the same principal. Thus, the inside of the tread area is coated with “thick tacky sealant layer”. In the case of continental the sealant looks like thick black tar. So, when an object such as a screw or nail penetrates the tyre tread area. Then the hole is blocked by this substance. Consequently, only loses a small amount of tyre pressure. Enabling the driver to carry on their journey. Sometimes even not knowing about the object stuck into their tyre.

In my opinion I think that this is a good idea. A step forward in the fight to better our road safety standard. Sometimes if a normal tyre is penetrated there will be a sudden loss of air in the tyres. Instantly deflating the tyre. Hence, causing the car to swerve and deviate off course. So, in the worse scenario could be causing a bad accident.

At the moment, Kumho is only using the self-sealing tyres in their own country. South Korea. But I guess it will not be long before the tyres are distributed across the Globe. So, to compete with Continental and Pirelli. I would have thought that the extra weight of the sealant could have jeopardised the handling of the cars. But apparently they handle just as good as a normal tyre.

Self Sealing Tyre

A Kumho spokesman said, “While the weight of a Self Sealing Tyre is about 10 percent higher than a normal tire, ride quality, braking performance, handling performance and noise levels are equivalent to normal tyres” so that answers my question?

I myself prefer this self-seal method to the “Continental Self Sealing Tyre”. It would also be of great advantage on caravans and trailers. But at the moment, I do not think that there are tyre sizes to fit this type of vehicle. I also feel that these new self- seal tyres should be used on the more new vehicle. Volkswagen was the first to use them. Securing an exclusive one-year deal with Continental Tyres UK Ltd for an exclusive use of the product, but this has now finished its time limit and the Self Sealing Tyre will probably available to other car manufacturers.

Over the years the puncture problem has improved, I am old enough to remember when we fitted a tube into almost every puncture, but traffic was much lighter and we didn’t have many motorways. We still though repair many punctures a week and it makes me cringe at the way that car makers are trying their utmost to get away with having to fit spare wheels to cars.

Self Sealing Tyre-We still get tyres presented to us that have sidewall damage,

But luckily for the driver, the car has had a spare wheel. I think that the small space saver wheels are a better compromise that no spare wheel at all because as I have said earlier, there are many cars that run over a sharp object and damage the sidewall and without a spare the driver is going to be stuck. A Continental Car Tyres Self Sealing Tyre would certainly get you home and a space saver would get you home but not a Self Sealing Tyre, the material would not plug a hole in the sidewall and the driver would be stranded.

My wife bought a Nissan Juke that did not have a spare so the first thing I did was to buy a spare alloy wheel and fit a tyre to match the others and we took it with us when we went on a long or important journey, just in case. See all about the new tyre in Kumho Tyre Reviews.

Good Windscreen Wipers Important-Clean windscreen and good windscreen wipers ensures safer driving.

21st November 2023/in All Car Servicing/by Eric Roberts

Good Windscreen Wipers Important

So when our wipers fail then we all know what a nightmare it can be. Especially, combining when driving your car in to the winter sun with a dirty windscreen. I am sure that it happens to us all at one time or another. Of course we all know that the answer is ? Make sure you clean your windshield. Including, all other windows regularly and before any kind of journey.

Naturally this will prevent dirt and grime building up. Making it impossible to see. Because, your window wipers just spread the dirt and grime across your windshield. Possibly, causing obscurity and restricting your view.

Winter time brings added problems when it comes to a clean safe vision. Washer jets often freeze up in winter time. It is important for safeties sake to make sure that your washer jets are clear of any dirt or frost. Hence before setting off on your journey. Jets that be accessed can be cleared of dirt or frost by using a safety pin to clear the hole that the washer fluid comes out of.

Good Windscreen Wipers Important-make sure wiper jets are not blocked?

Some models of cars allow you to adjust the angle which the solution is fired at the windscreen (adjustable jets) So after you have cleared the washers ensure they are at an angle that will get the best overall spray coverage. This is specially important when driving at high speeds on the motorway. We have all been sprayed by other motorists with their spray jets set at the wrong angle.

My advice is to try and aim the jets near the lower central area of your windshield. So that even at high speeds your windshield will get necessary cover. Very often drivers spray every other car but their own?

Ice scrappers are always a handy tool to carry in your glove compartment. This will ensure that you will be able to safely scrape all the ice and snow from your windscreen. A good recommendation is an old credit card. In fact I have used this method myself when caught out away from home in ice and snow.

As well as scraping any snow and ice off of your windows. So, you need to make sure your washer fluid doesn’t freeze on you or worse still run out. In colder weather we have all seen how the salt on the UK roads mixes with the rain, ice or snow. When this mixture dries, salty deposits can build up on your windscreen and obstruct your view. When your washer bottle freezes or runs out of fluid then you visibility reduces to nothing.

Good Windscreen Wipers Important-Add the correct amount of antifreeze to your washer bottle?

As a result, make sure before any journey you have a full tank of washer fluid and a suitable amount of antifreeze or solution is used. If you are not sure what to do then your local garage would be only too pleased to help you out. If it is a prolonged winter then very often you will not use water at all and just pour the concentrated solution into your washer tank instead.

As I have said earlier in the article, driving in the winter can be made particularly difficult. Especially, due to the low position of the winter sun in the sky. Often dazzling drivers. So you should take care to wear sunglasses (even in winter) pulling down your sun visor whenever it is required.

Of course drivers should take extra care when driving into the winter sun. Even with a clean spotless screen. Be especially aware of any sudden braking or pedestrians. When the sun is low which is often during the time of day people are driving to or from work.

Good Windscreen Wipers Important-Check before winter arrives

We have all seen drivers struggling to see through dirty windscreen. There is no excuse for it. In fact it is against the law here in the UK. Before winter approaches, I would recommend fitting new wiper blades. If you cant afford new ones then there are simply things you can do using household products. There are several things to use according to the “Tips Bulletin online magazine” Including a simple cup of water mixed with vinegar.

Of course a regular pre winter service on your car would ensure that your wipers and washer tank levels were topped up the correct levels. Ensuring a good start to the winter safety and driving season.

All Weather Tyres Cope with Horrendous British Downpours ?

21st November 2023/4 Comments/in All Tyre Safe.org stuff/by Eric Roberts

All Weather Tyres Cope with Horrendous British Downpours ?

Significantly, we all must have noticed the alarming changes in our weather patterns ! Driving all over the UK. So you cant help notice the effect of local flooding that these heavy rains bring to our roads. Consequently, it looks like we are getting the type of heavy storms that are more common on the continent. We all remember these types of heavy thunder storms from our holidays in Spain and Italy.

So, the climate is changing ! I think for the better . Its great to be have warmer summers. But it looks like we are going to pay a price. Subsequently, with regular heavy rain downpours! Causing our roads and motorways to flood. Driving about the UK these storms can happen anywhere and at anytime. So this could not help make me think about aquaplaning and my own safety !

Aquaplaning can be serious problem !

Basically aquaplaning is when there is a thin layer of water between the road surface and your vehicles tyres. Of course the vehicle will often loose traction and can cause the car to spin out of control. Importantly, the better the condition of your tyre. Then there is less likelihood that aquaplaning would happen. Many of the main larger tyre companies have re-developed their summer tyres. Accordingly, with wider centre grooves and more sipes. Sipes are the small slits of differing sizes. These slits are set out in different arrangements according to the tyre makers engineers designs.

Consequently, these summer tyres were developed for use on the growing SUV car market. Continental tyres are one of the tyre companies to develop this type of tyre. Another factor is the tyres compound ! Summer tyres are made from a different rubber compound than winter tyres. However this does not help the summer tyres. Hence, to get rid of the very heavy rain. Caused by the storms that we are now experiencing.

Because of the changing climate then I decided to fit all-weather tyres to our small van fleet. So, I thought it would much safer! Not just for me but the other road users. These tyres give me more confidence when driving in these bad conditions.

All-Weather tyres dissipate the water better

Michelin was one of the first tyre companies to claim a summer tyre with winter tyre capability. So, claiming that their Crossclimate + tyres brake well on dry roads like a summer tyre. Also giving the vehicle owner confidence of grip on very wet roads ! Both in summer and winter ! Incidentally this tyre is also approved for use in snowy conditions.

However my main point is that we should seriously consider buying all-weather tyres for use on our vehicles whole year round. So, giving drivers a safer driving experience in these torrential rain downpours. As a member of “tyresafe.org“, I think that going forward then all-weather tyre will become very important to tackle these imminent and un-predictable storms.

There is no doubt that these all weather tyres dissipate the water at a faster and so safer rate ! Than the standard summer tyres. All Weather Tyres Cope with Horrendous British Downpours ? As a footnote we also recommend Nokian and General all weather tyres here in Halifax UK.

Dodgy MOT fraud crackdown- by DVSA- remains key focus for DVSA

20th November 2023/1 Comment/in mot testing/by Eric Roberts

Dodgy MOT fraud crackdown

As the owner of a UK MOT testing station. Then I just fail to understand the number of MOT stations that have been shut down for fraudulent activities. According to this attached article 143 testing stations. Of one type or another have had there testing facilities removed. Consequently not able to carry out any more MOT tests.

The public are now able to report stations that they feel were not truthful one way or another. Probably leading to more investigations. With the end result been a station loosing its MOT testing status. The mind boggles when you realise the importance of such a great system for testing vehicle safety here in the UK.

I believe that we have to be totally honest with both the DVSA and the public who bring their vehicles to us for a honest and reliable MOT test. We do hear of horror stories coming from customers with a long list of improper failures after a test on their cars.

Could things get worse !

What frightens me the fact that we are heading in for an economic downturn. So putting pressure on people to fail cars for the sake of more income. I have been in this industry for 50 years or so now and seen all this kind of thing before.

Larger companies with massive overheads will be putting even more pressure to increase their sales and profit margins. Recently a good friend of mine decided that he had enough of sales pressure from the large garage network that he worked for.

Encouraging the workers below him to report car faults that did not exist. He did not mention specific MOT jobs but you could not rule this out. Customers were told that things needed replacing when they were perfectly alright. We have all hear of this yet the companies keep on trading when the little guys get hit.

Finally as long as we keep up our good reputation for honesty when testing cars and also everyday servicing work then to hell with the rest. The we will not be involved in any Dodgy MOT fraud crackdown.

The DVSA has published its annual report, outlining its 2020-2021 activities. Some 40,490,000 MOT certificates were issued from 2021-22, up from 38,790,000 in the previous period. Following on from the DVSA’s Beat the Rush campaign in 2020, the

Source: MOT fraud crackdown remains key focus for DVSA

3 Critical Car Maintenance Tasks You Cant Afford To Skip

TPMS warning light Ignored-“too often ignored”, TyreSafe warns

20th November 2023/1 Comment/in All Tyre Safe.org stuff/by Eric Roberts

TPMS warning light Ignored

I must confess that this article surprised me ! In our experience then the opposite is nearer the truth. Drivers are usually very alarmed at the site of any warning light. Including the TPMS tyre pressure monitoring system light. Indeed if they are anything like me then the presence of any flashing dashboard light is really annoying.

TPMS, signals come from an electric valve in the same place as the old style rubber valve used to be. In fact the two types look the same. However the TPMS valve has an electric sensor connection on the inside of the wheel. This senses any loss of pressure in the tyre sending a signal to the car which illuminates the light on the dash.

Consequently, most of our customers head straight for our garage as soon as they see this (or any other ) light appear. In the good old days we would fit a new tubeless valve for free and in with the price of a new tyre. However the new valves can be very costly when needing to be replaced.

Of course these valves will wear out or prematurely damaged due to pothole perhaps. So, depending on the make of car then these little transmitter valve can cost in the region of £60 each. Also the whole system has to be re-set by our engine management tools. Of course adding an extra cost.

This is a rare occasion though and should not worry people. Much cheaper than having to buy a new tyre because you didn’t take any notice of the TPMS warning light in the cab.

Many drivers are still unaware of what the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light is for when it appears on their dashboard, a road safety charity has warned. Introduced as a mandatory safety feature on all

Source: TPMS warning light “too often ignored”, TyreSafe warns