I was certain that my car would fail on the fitment of LED bulbs which I now wouldn't drive without. The bulbs caused no issues whatsoever, and as I also knew, were perfectly aligned so causing no problem for oncoming drivers. However, it failed on needing some welding on, "offside rear, plate & seam weld needed".

Now, I didn't see that coming! LOL Despite my desire to keep the car ad infinitum, if it keeps kicking me in the balls like that, we're going to fall out. Oh, I never realised how difficult it would be to get a welder to do the work. (Still making phone calls to sort) Would have preferred a proper mechanical fault which any competent garage could sort!

Though for an 18 year old car, it knocked the emissions out of the park! 😂

 

On 7/31/2023 at 9:42 AM, StephenFord said:

I never realised how difficult it would be to get a welder to do the work. (Still making phone calls to sort)

Yes it's difficult getting a skilled welder these days. Just a few months back I needed a little welding done on my daughters farm trailer. I tried many, many garages only to be told that "because of insurance problems they no longer did any welding of vehicles"

However one garage was helpful and suggested that I try engineering or fabrication companies. The guy was right the second fabrication company I tried said they would do it. So I took the parts to be welded round and they did the welding while i waited. Cost a whole £10 and the trailer is now back in service. Good result 😀

 

Does the NI system not use the same 'numbered' failure points as the rest of the UK?

Sadly rust is what sends most Mk2's to the scrapyard nowadays.  Welding isn't as easy as it looks, especially on structural parts.  And is very difficult to find a decent welder now, let alone at a decent price.  

 

4 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Does the NI system not use the same 'numbered' failure points as the rest of the UK?

I assume not, as the only refusal notice we get was attached in 1st post. Are they numbered in order of priority?

Just now, StephenFord said:

I assume not, as the only refusal notice we get was attached in 1st post. Are they numbered in order of priority?

No, they're given specific reference numbers so the testers can't just make up whatever they like.

For example - 6.1.1 (a(i)) - refers to a rusty chassis. 

10 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

No, they're given specific reference numbers so the testers can't just make up whatever they like.

For example - 6.1.1 (a(i)) - refers to a rusty chassis. 

Aahhh, LOL, nope, our testers must be able to just make it up! We just have 3 x clarifications of 'minor', 'major', or 'dangerous' defect. Though that may be something to do in that our MOT centers do not do repairs, just testing, so no point in making things up.

Got a result though, just went to a bodyshop (I've used before, accident repair specialists) who can fit me in this Wednesday, it's more than I can afford, but not extortionate.

The guy that'll be doing the welding showed me what he was working on, a Focus ST needing both sills welding LOL

 

Our Mk2.5 sailed through it's test last week with just the same two advisories it's had for several years, one of them for the past 8 years . Like you, Stephen, I mean to keep it going as long as possible. It's still only on just over 55K and as we live in one of the driest parts of the UK (unlike you ) it rarely gets driven in very wet and/or salty conditions so I'm hoping it'll stay reasonably free of tinworm. It has the Mazda-derived engine with chain-driven cams and seems pretty bullet-proof. Because it gets frequent oil changes in relation to the mileage it hasn't shown any signs of the piston ring trouble these engines are supposedly prone to either.

Picked car up today, it's unpainted (they just blew some primer on it), not a priority right now. Retest next week, fingers crossed...

One last post to round off. Car passed MOT today, so I painted the repair. Was fully expecting a cosmetic nightmare which I wasn't really fussed at. However, the paint I bought, a tin of TriFlow smooth (Blue) was an absolute friggin' match to my car. They only do one 'blue' whereas there's an infinite no. of blues in cars.

So good, I then used it as a touch up for a few other bits on her. A tin of Lidl's finest spray metal paint provided 6 x coats on the underside. Total paint cost £16. Yes, I work on a tight budget 🤣

It's not a professional invisible repair, but more than I needed.

52 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

A tin of Lidl's finest spray metal paint provided 6 x coats on the underside. Total paint cost £16. Yes, I work on a tight budget 🤣

It's not a professional invisible repair, but more than I needed.

Looks a good job Stephen and a sensible repair on a 2005 Focus 👍  Little point in spending a couple of hundred for a Rolls Royce finish unless you planned on doing the whole car.

Hi Stephen, never heard of that make of paint, Triflow, just want to know if you sprayed it on or brushed - looks a good finish either way..

4 minutes ago, nicam49 said:

Hi Stephen, never heard of that make of paint, Triflow, just want to know if you sprayed it on or brushed - looks a good finish either way..

TriFlow was on the same shelf as Hammerite, looked the same but a bit cheaper. Being a total (& cheap) amateur, used a brush purchased from PoundLand LOL Though I did use masking tape to get a straight edge, I'm not an idiot 🤣