A trip to the test centre

[spudfan]

Though this concerns a series 111 I posted it here as it covers a number of things.
I was back up today with the 1982 series 111 2.25 diesel 88" wheel base, for a retest as she failed first time on a number of things. It involves an 80 mile round trip. On the way up I had to make two emergency type stops because of wasps emerging from the heater vents! Bit of a shock when the first one decided to make it's presence known. Anyway I managed to get it out of the driver's door. A short time later the second one made it's presence known and involved another quick stop and fumbling at the passenger door. Probably hibernating and being unceremoniously dumped out into the cold December day probably did not do their temperament any good.
One of the issues the series 111 failed on was movement in the lower bushings on the front shocks. No problem just put new ones in I hear you say. Well that is what the mechanic did but there was still the same slight movement (LR bushings) in the shocks. I think this is how they are. The only way to solve this was to put top bushings from rear shock absorber of a defender into the series 111 front shock absorber. Completely different bushing but it worked. To my mind it is too good a fit as there is no play what so ever but it kept the tester happy.
The other issue was a braking imbalance in the front axle (8%). I could not understand this as she was braking steadily and in a straight line. Anyway the mechanic stripped everything out and reassembled both sides using a torque wrench to ensure everything was even. The inspector passed it today but said the brakes were a bit odd but the sheet showed the imbalance was within limits.
I think that expecting a 39 year old vehicle to be as efficient in a test as the newer stuff is asking a bit much.
Having taken the series 111 and parked it ready for the inspection he then took charge of a MAN tractor unit and 40 foot trailer. He managed to turn the MAN tractor unit and trailer in a smaller space than he did the series 111. Also judging by his facial expressions with a lot less effort too! It seems the gearbox on the MAN was easier to use too [bigwhistle] .
Anyway that is the 88 sorted for another two years. As she is over 30 years of age the test is every two years. Vehicles pre 1980 do not have to be tested. And as she is 30 plus years of age she costs me the princely sum of €56 (88.90 AUD) to tax yearly. Insurance is for a vintage vehicle which is cheap too. (30 years of age gets you vintage tax on a road vehicle)
P.S. While waiting for the 88 to be tested I stood outside well wrapped up and wearing a mask. Not so long ago if you were seen to be loitering outside a premises wearing a mask the police would have been called.

[windsock]

I agree with you when you state "I think that expecting a 39 year old vehicle to be as efficient in a test as the newer stuff is asking a bit much." as I see it here too when a young tester jumps into the old '84 110 truck and tries to figure out how to start it, let alone test it. Our local testing centre I use has a couple of old army mechanics who have 110 experience so I like it when these guys get to give my old 110 a once-over.

The periods in your testing regime is interesting. Here in NZ it works the other way around. Here it is a warrent of fitness (WoF) certificate.

If your vehicle is:

less than 2 years old, the WoF will be issued up to the third anniversary of when it was first registered
between 2 and 3 years old, the WoF will be issued for 12 months.


You have to get a warrant of fitness check every:


12 months if your vehicle was first registered anywhere in the world on or after 1 January 2000
6 months if your vehicle was first registered anywhere in the world before 1 January 2000.

[spudfan]

Over her passenger/private registered vehicles no test until year four. Every two years until they reach ten years of age then yearly.
Commercially registered vehicles yearly from day one.
Vintage (30 years onwards) every two years unless used for commercial purposes then still yearly.
I had a tester who had to bring me into the testing lane as he did not know how to turn off the series 111.

[discorevy]

You have to get a warrant of fitness check every:


12 months if your vehicle was first registered anywhere in the world on or after 1 January 2000
6 months if your vehicle was first registered anywhere in the world before 1 January 2000.



Here I was, thinking over here was hobbled by nonsensical bureaucracy, but I see we have a way to go yet.

[windsock]

Here I was, thinking over here was hobbled by nonsensical bureaucracy, but I see we have a way to go yet.

Yes, presents a six-monthly dose of WoF anxiety and sometimes repair bills. Key payback is the assumed/implied high quality road-worthiness of the old vehicle fleet on our roads, which I understand is quite high in percentage compared to other countries. I say assumed/implied as many differences can be noted in the quality and efficacy of inspections between testing stations. Some are quite lax while others are straight up and test to the legal list. I usually go to an independent tester not affiliated or involved in repairs and they usually appreciate my well maintained old 110.

[Aaron IIA]

If I had to get my truck inspected every 6 months it would sextuple the frequency it would have been driven over the last few years. Good thing we don't have anything like that here, I would be going to the testing station nearly every month.

Aaron

[V8Ian]

Spud, requirements for inspection, in this country, vary between jurisdictions. Some have annual safety checks, whilst others only mandate certification at change of ownership.
Statistics indicate that mechanical failure rarely have a significant contribution to cause of collision. Further, states requiring annual checks fare no better than the other states in comparison, with mechanical issues contributing to incidents.
Conclusion, inspections serve no useful purpose.

[spudfan]

Some years ago I had two inspections done on the one vehicle in the one day. This was an administration mess up computer wise. First one in the morning and the second a few hours later in the afternoon. The read out for braking efficiency, suspension imbalance etc DIFFERED in the two tests, Same vehicle, same testing equipment, Go figure,,,

[BradC]

Some have annual safety checks, whilst others only mandate certification at change of ownership.

And at least one other has no testing unless you're caught doing a burnout in front of a plod and cop a canary. My 33 year old Volvo hasn't seen the pits _ever_. Just paid the rego yearly and don't get caught doing dumb stuff.

Some of the ****boxes we have tootling around WA are total and utter deathtraps.

[V8Ian]

Here we have an annual blitz on roadside mechanical inspections for heavy vehicles, despite them being inspected yearly, in every state.
Defects are classified and published. Some trucks/trailers have eight or more stop lights (minimum two required), depending on the level of bling the owner desires. Should just one of the multiple brake lights fail at inspection, it is classified as a serious brake defect.
Fear mongering to garner public support for government employees overtime bonanza.

[windsock]

[..snip...] Go figure,,, Land Rover...[biggrin]

[V8Ian]

And at least one other has no testing unless you're caught doing a burnout in front of a plod and cop a canary. My 33 year old Volvo hasn't seen the pits _ever_. Just paid the rego yearly and don't get caught doing dumb stuff.

Some of the ****boxes we have tootling around WA are total and utter deathtraps.
Doesn't WA require a RWC at change of ownership or introduction to the state?
How many "utter death traps" have been involved in incidents with mechanical faults being a significant contribution to said incident? The type of people prepared to drive vehicles in that condition, are the type of people who habitually disregard other laws such as speeding, drink/drug driving, seat belts, red lights, et al.

[BradC]

Doesn't WA require a RWC at change of ownership or introduction to the state?

I *think* it's required for new second-hand registrations, so that'd cover bringing in a vehicle from the East. It's not required for a change of ownership within WA. I'm the third owner of said Volvo and it has never been inspected.


How many "utter death traps" have been involved in incidents with mechanical faults being a significant contribution to said incident? The type of people prepared to drive vehicles in that condition, are the type of people who habitually disregard other laws such as speeding, drink/drug driving, seat belts, red lights, et al.

Yeah... can't really speculate. I can say that whenever we see a fatal on the news the instigator generally appears to be a newer high powered vehicle driven by someone who's numerical age exceeds their IQ. "Death traps" don't actually seem to be over-represented, but then I don't have actual statistics to back that up.

It's not just death traps though. I sat behind a relatively new Subaru/Toyota "sports" thingo at the lights a couple of weeks ago and the only functioning brake light was a single remaining LED in the high-mount. I pointed it out to the driver at the next set of lights with the response of "yeah, I know".

[V8Ian]

I think John (JD NSW) has posted the actual stats before, mechanical failure was insignificant in the causes of incidents.

[350RRC]

Here we have an annual blitz on roadside mechanical inspections for heavy vehicles, despite them being inspected yearly, in every state.
Defects are classified and published. Some trucks/trailers have eight or more stop lights (minimum two required), depending on the level of bling the owner desires. Should just one of the multiple brake lights fail at inspection, it is classified as a serious brake defect.
Fear mongering to garner public support for government employees overtime bonanza.

And I used to think that trailers had duplicate brake and indicator lights each side so that the odds would have one of each working on each side at any one time to be legal........and considerate of other road users.

Is this just a Qld thing?

JT................what is the go in Vic?

DL

[350RRC]

I think John (JD NSW) has posted the actual stats before, mechanical failure was insignificant in the causes of incidents.

Has been well known in Vic.

Been awhile since the 'peak motor industry body' here pushed for annual inspections AFAIK.

On the other hand you need an annual scuba tank test here to get a fill and guess which body came up with that.........

DL

[V8Ian]

And I used to think that trailers had duplicate brake and indicator lights each side so that the odds would have one of each working on each side at any one time to be legal........and considerate of other road users.

Is this just a Qld thing?

JT................what is the go in Vic?

DL
Any lights fitted, including auxiliary driving lights and extra clearance lights have to be operable.
The flash bangers you see, with the entire outline depicted with LED clearance lights, can be defected for having a single light out.

[BradC]

The flash bangers you see, with the entire outline depicted with LED clearance lights, can be defected for having a single light out.

Should be defected for bad taste.

[3toes]

There was a study done a few years ago about the efficiency of an MOT type test regarding the mechanical condition of vehicles. From memory they compared 6 places of which 2 were Australian states as their sample. This was so not an Australian study just happens they were chosen. One state had an MOT process the other did not. Sample was split 50 / 50 with and without

Result was that an MOT had an initial impact as a small number of older cars that were deemed to be beyond economic repair were removed. There was no other significant difference in the vehicle fleets

It was found that where the MOT was in use owners tended to only do maintenance when the MOT required it rather than as needed. They were reluctant to do work not required by the MOT as this was seen as the mechanic trying to game them into doing unnecessary work on the vehicle. This resulted in more vehicles that were below requirements as the owners tended to believe the list of items on the MOT was all that was required

Have known people here who I have pointed out they have a bald tyre or non working tail light or extreme example loud clunk banging noise from rear wheel who are surprised as the car has a current MOT so it should be good and blame the tester who last saw the car 6 months ago

[Tote]

The skill with which inspection station employees wave the brake tester around in mid air whilst generating a test print out at the front counter never fails to impress me..........


Regards,
Tote

[Saitch]

The skill with which inspection station employees wave the brake tester around in mid air whilst generating a test print out at the front counter never fails to impress me..........


Regards,
Tote

Out of interest, what qualifications do these 'Employees' have to hold? Are they certified, auto mechanics/engineers?

[Tote]

Mechanics, and they need to be licenced by the RTA. The whole Brake test thing is a bit of a charade in NSW The combined window tint tester and brake tester was a pet project of a past transport minister and modern cars pass the test standard so easily that it is irrelevant. A bit of zombie tech waiting to die. The remainder of the inspection process is thorough and professional in my experience.

Regards,
Tote

[windsock]

Out of interest, what qualifications do these 'Employees' have to hold? Are they certified, auto mechanics/engineers?

Just for comparison with other jurisdictions. The NZ requirements here: WoF VI (VI1B) important information - NZTA Vehicle Portal (https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/applications/vi-applications/wof-vi-application)

All in all, my only issue with the testing regime here are the young ones who have not had much experience with a 37 year old vehicle, let alone an old Land Rover 110. Most of them have been capable of looking at an old machine and figuring out if it is safe to use on the road. Some even like to have a yarn about the old thing once they have finished testing it.

[windsock]

Mechanics, and they need to be licenced by the RTA. The whole Brake test thing is a bit of a charade in NSW The combined window tint tester and brake tester was a pet project of a past transport minister and modern cars pass the test standard so easily that it is irrelevant. A bit of zombie tech waiting to die. The remainder of the inspection process is thorough and professional in my experience.

Regards,
Tote

What is the brake testing over there that it is discussed like this?

[Tote]

What is the brake testing over there that it is discussed like this?

AutoStop Maxi Brake Meter (Tester) Decelerometer - 6886662 (https://www.mydeal.com.au/autostop-maxi-brake-meter-tester-decelerometer-6886662?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhYyy9pzG9AIVTw9yCh3_awbV EAQYASABEgKn2_D_BwE)

One of these......If you register your vehicle at the RMS office you need to provide the slip from the brake tester, if you do it online then the technology is too hard so the assumption is made that the brake test passes since you have the pink slip (inspection report). A reasonably qualified mechanic can tell if the brakes meet the minimum standard during a test drive so the machine test is pretty redundant. Years ago I had a vehicle with a cracked booster diaphragm that would not pass the test.

Regards,
Tote

[windsock]

AutoStop Maxi Brake Meter (Tester) Decelerometer - 6886662 (https://www.mydeal.com.au/autostop-maxi-brake-meter-tester-decelerometer-6886662?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhYyy9pzG9AIVTw9yCh3_awbV EAQYASABEgKn2_D_BwE)

One of these......If you register your vehicle at the RMS office you need to provide the slip from the brake tester, if you do it online then the technology is too hard so the assumption is made that the brake test passes since you have the pink slip (inspection report). A reasonably qualified mechanic can tell if the brakes meet the minimum standard during a test drive so the machine test is pretty redundant. Years ago I had a vehicle with a cracked booster diaphragm that would not pass the test.

Regards,
Tote

Hard to know what the specific testing machine is that the independent tester I go to uses as there is a long list of approved devices... all of these that I have seen though and in-floor roller brake testers. Look for the list at section 5.5 Approved brake test equipment (WoF) at Inspection premises and equipment - NZTA Vehicle Portal (https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/introduction/inspection-premises-and-equipment#heading5-for-tab1)