RoadSafe is urging transport minister Mike Penning to maintain the MoT test as an annual check-up for vehicles.
In 2008, the Department for Transport said the MoT failure rate was high, at 35 per cent. Between 2009 and 10, the failure rate continued its steady increase to 37 per cent. Despite this, the DfT is looking into reducing the required frequency of tests to fall in line with Europe.
In the UK, vehicles must have their first test within three years of registration, and annual tests thereafter. As a minimum, EU law requires vehicles to have their first test when they are four years old and subsequent tests every two years.
Devon 4×4 has just released a range of underbody protection for the Land Rover Discovery 4, bringing a welcome boost to the vehicle’s mud-plugging credentials.
Upcountry Auto Products has just launched this hardcover for the Mitsubishi L200 long-bed. It retains the distinctive silhouette of the pick-up, while providing lockable storage and colour-coding to match the paintwork. The product is designed for the 2010 model year of Mitsubishi’s popular truck. Price is £1099 excluding VAT.
OIL ADDITIVE #1
The Skoda Yeti isn’t everyone’s idea of a hardcore off-roader. Owners of the vehicle can now give it a slightly tougher appearance, however, thanks to ANTEC’s stainless steel styling parts.
These glowplug reamers are available from Sykes Picavant. They enable home mechanics to clean, and re-cut if need be, their diesel vehicle’s glowplugs, thereby improving engine starting and efficiency.
Wolfrace has recenty released these alloy wheels for use on luxury SUVs. The premium range of Wolf RR and Wolf Design rims are available in a wide variety of sizes, and the Wolf Design rims can be drilled to fit almost any vehicle. Wolf RR wheels are designed for use on vehicles with a five-stud fitment, including the new Porsche Cayenne and the BMW X6.
While buying a new 4×4 is fun, it is also undoubtedly frustrating and, at times, stressful. Why do some traders insist on writing ‘immaculate’ in their advertisements when even the most cursory inspection shows the vehicle to have been used and seriously abused? Why, after phoning up to check, do you find out when you arrive to view a vehicle that, ‘there’s a small problem with the air flow sensor so you can’t go for a drive, I’m afraid. The mechanic should have changed it this morning but he’s a DJ and last night he had all his gear nicked so he’s not come in…’ Would you buy a 4×4 from some absentminded DJ who can’t even be bothered to come to work? No, neither would we.
Never again will I allow a lunatic at the wheel of the Hotchkiss…well, maybe ‘lunatic’ is a bit strong, it’s just that it’s a while since Ivor had done any off-roading and he’d never before driven anything as much fun – and as open – as Eugene. Now Eugene may be close on 50 years old but the old dog can still move; the 2.2-litre Willys engine may only be puffing out around 55 of its original 60 horses but with its stroke of nearly 4.5 inches it’s still got surprisingly muscular lowdown torque, so when Ivor saw a gap in the undergrowth and went for it, his enthusiastic flooring of the accelerator saw Eugene leaping into the bushes like a startled rabbit, leaving me hardly any time to hang on, let alone blink.
The sun has been beating down in North Wales and so there has been little excuse not to get on with sorting the TM for its MoT. I started well and the lower cab panels have been removed, revealing even more rust, I have exposed even more daylight through the cab floor.
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