Hi All,

I had an MOT test yesterday (which it passed), but on leaving the station, the vehicle felt 'wrong'. A bit further up the road it produced a loud clonk/crack noise from the front nearside when going over a bump. I put it down to the suspension being a bit unsettled after having being lifted, but it's continued to do it.

When changing from forwards to backwards (and vice versa), it often (but not always) makes a loud 'crack' sound from that area. Reversing on full lock gives a similarly worrying sound (which can be felt too) and it now seems to squeal a tyre when turning full lock.

It was doing none of these things prior to the test and has only very recently had both lower arms replaced.

The tester didn't seem to be very experienced, but I don't think he put it on the rollers (in fact I overheard a conversation about not being able to test the brakes on the rollers).

It's going in to another branch tomorrow to be inspected, but can anyone immediately suggest something that an inexperienced tester might have done that might have caused these symptoms to manifest? (Forewarned is forearmed and all that). I wanted to take it to my trusted indy, but they're rammed.

I need it fixed as I've got a family holiday coming up and it doesn't feel safe.

All the best 2010 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE

At a GUESS, all I can think of is that the tester may have used a lever bar to see if any suspension joints / bushes have any wear in them, and could have damaged something. It could have been co-incidence, as I would not like to accuse anyone of something without proof, but situation does sound a bit fishy to me.
If he has used a lever he could have distorted the brake disc backing plate?

Completely agree with the above... However, if the tester did put your car on the rollers then this could easily be the cause of massive damage! I believe all MOT's have CCTV now? Can anyone confirm this? Does it give you any kind of readout on your MOT paperwork for brake readings? If it does then there is a BIG worry as obviously, we all know they cannot go on the test rig...

Would you like me to interrogate my local tester tomorrow? I'm there for an MOT so can do it easily enough sir...

As usual, I stand to be corrected....but...I believe all 'NEW' MOT test centres are to be fitted with cctv & may not cover 'current' MOT test centres. When I say 'NEW' I think it only came into operation this year, I'm a bit sketchy about the timescale though. 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
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Thanks all. Your point about CCTV Craig, reminded me that I have a dashcam!

I've just been looking at the footage and it seems that he did the brake test in the car park, although he did seem to get stuck in the rollers when initially trying to get it onto the ramp right at the start. He was revving it quite a bit without it moving - I can't quite tell what was going on - he then reversed and took a run up to finally get it on the ramp.

Most of the footage just showing it with the engine running and the bonnet up so not particularly enlightening apart from those highlights.

Will see what they come up with this morning - they're not exactly LR specialists though. 2010 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE

Fox889 wrote:

As usual, I stand to be corrected....but...I believe all 'NEW' MOT test centres are to be fitted with cctv & may not cover 'current' MOT test centres. When I say 'NEW' I think it only came into operation this year, I'm a bit sketchy about the timescale though.

Ahh ok… That makes sense

If you got access I'd get the front wheel off and have a look yourself n see if you can see anything obvious that might be the issue.

Quick update. They've had it up on the ramp and apparently the rear bolts on the new lower arms were loose. They think the shaker plate may have loosened them if they weren't done up properly in the first place.

Slightly concerned that this has happened at all and also why the mot didn't pick it up!

All seems back to normal now though so all well that ends well.

Thank you for all your help.

Guy 2010 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE

With regards to the person(s) who fitted your new lower arms, personally I would go back there and 'HAVE WORDS' with them. I know we can all make mistakes, but that is very poor workmanship.

Luckily I have known my MOT testers for many years ( Family run business ) and I am allowed to get in the pit with the tester to see it all, ( With boiler suit on so Joe public think I work there ) a rare thing these days.

Glad you are already sorted and safe, with peace of mind on your holidays

Cam-Tech-Craig wrote:

Completely agree with the above... However, if the tester did put your car on the rollers then this could easily be the cause of massive damage!

Cam-Tech-Craig wrote:

Completely agree with the above... However, if the tester did put your car on the rollers then this could easily be the cause of massive damage! I believe all MOT's have CCTV now? Can anyone confirm this? Does it give you any kind of readout on your MOT paperwork for brake readings? If it does then there is a BIG worry as obviously, we all know they cannot go on the test rig...

Would you like me to interrogate my local tester tomorrow? I'm there for an MOT so can do it easily enough sir...

My tester drives in the car park at 20mph and brakes hard with a portable unit on the seat to measure braking force.

He only has rollers for a single axle. I think if he put the RR on it, the diffs would lock an the car would drive out the rollers into his office…..

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

I believe it's called a Tapley Meter https://www.bowmonk.com/products/view/tapley-brake-test-meter but as said above, some more modern rollers have a 4wd mode. 2016 Skoda Octavia VRS Estate
<gone>2009 FF Vogue TDV8 Buckingham Blue</gone>
<gone>2015 BMW 520D SE (not my favourite car)</gone>
<gone>2009 D3 HSE Galway Green</gone>

Its worrying that Mot testers are still not aware of the problems of brake testing a 4wd vehicle. Testing on rollers will not do a Haldex rear axle any good at all, nor will putting on rollers for a hand brake load test. My local garage says that Mot testing a Tesla is a problem as well. Luckely most of the local testers still use Tapley Meters for 4wd vehicles.

Anvil wrote:

Cam-Tech-Craig wrote:

Completely agree with the above... However, if the tester did put your car on the rollers then this could easily be the cause of massive damage! I believe all MOT's have CCTV now? Can anyone confirm this? Does it give you any kind of readout on your MOT paperwork for brake readings? If it does then there is a BIG worry as obviously, we all know they cannot go on the test rig...

Would you like me to interrogate my local tester tomorrow? I'm there for an MOT so can do it easily enough sir...

Hi Craig,
What's the story with the rollers? Is this because they are permanent 4wd? How would they test this on a FFRR? -Just a test drive?