AGGGGHHHHHHHH MOT!!!!

[jammac]

My MOT is not far round the corner so need to start getting stuck into my golf so it passes 1st time no problems etc etc!!! As this is my 1st MOT as a golf owner i was wondering if theres any particular items they like to fail on that i might need to know about???

its a 91 J plate 8v mk2

cheers for ya help geezers 

[DarnPB]

Usual for any older car. Get underneath and take a good butchers at your brake pipes. Also look at your pads. They will fail if worn. Then just make sure everything works. All the lights, windscreen washer bottle full, (Yes, they will fail that) rear seatbelts inertia reels if they are never used, handbrake travel, (3-4 clicks)etc. ect. ect.
Usual stuff.

[jammac]

good butchers at your brake pipes............ just make sure they arent leaking or heavily corroded no?

im doing the pads and discs allround so that will be sweet ill prob change the fluid to as i dont know when it was last done.

[Horney]

Check your rear calipers aren't stuck as this is another common failure on these.

Nick

[Chris-White]

Clips on the headlamp adjusters.

[Neaty]

problems that i have had in the past with mk2's and MOT's are:

corroded brake lines
Emissions
excessive play in Steering column knuckle
hand brake ineffective, make sure that it works properly and that it stop both the rear wheels.
Rust, any sharp edges of rust need covering up, even if its just gaffer tape.

they seem to be the main problems.

[DarnPB]

If you are replacing pads and discs, use the car as much as you can before the MOT to bed it all in. WATCH YOUR BRAKING DISTANCES WITH NEW EQUIPMENT!! as they will be vastly increased until they are run in.

[catch]

Mine has just failed the MOT on brake pipes.
if they are not too rusty, clean them up and grease them and they will look like new.
If they are bad - replace the lot to be on the safe side.

[jammac]

thanks for your responses guys.

ive heard about seizing rear calipers before, ive never checked mind but i guess that would render them useless and therefore would make dangerous braking. how can you prevent it from happening in the first place?

[mattp1983]

fit later mk3/mk4 ones with adaptor hoses, its just a design flaw, I use the ol WD40 and hammer technique on mine to help prevent, oh yeah and park it up in gear and leave handbrake off (I have a flat drive though)

Also check your bushes, mine failed on pitted discs and worn rear wishbone bushes. Not bad for 18 years old.