NCT Test damaged sequential GB

Yo Mamma

The sequence of events:

Brought my car to NCT on Friday afternoon (BMW M3 smg 2004 semi-auto), I then drove it down M50 never really dropping lower than 5th gear. When I had to actually slow down and stop at the off-ramp as soon as I hit 1st/2nd gear the engine started to chug and splutter and the car was shaking quite badly... I popped back up to 3rd and it seemed to pan out a bit.... I got the car home anyway and the same thing was happening to the car when I put it into reverse ! So the problem seems to be with the sequential gear box specifically with Reverse, 1st gear and 2nd gear.

This problem was definitely NOT present before I went into the NCT testing centre and in fact the NCT gave the car a clean bill of health ?
I have put the car off the road till I can find out whats wrong.

Having done a small bit of research into this since yesterday it seems that some of the NCT tests they performs are not good for Automatic / semi Automatic gearboxes ?
If that’s the case….. will NCT Pay for damage caused by their test ? I specified to the test centre that it was a sequential gearbox and also to the guy who came to take the car through.

Has anyone ever come across this before ? Can anyone recommend where I can go to get an accurate diagnosis ?

Any help appreciated.

Mr. Presentable

I'm pretty sure the waiver you signed before the test would exempt them of responsibility for damage caused.

Shaneboyle

Yeah you sign disclaimer that they accept no responsibility. To any engine or parts damage

Vertakill

That really sucks - and one of my fav cars too.

In hindsight, driving around with no NCT and the penalty points/fines you may incur would probably be less costly than replacing/fixing a gearbox.

Yo Mamma

There was deffo no waiver signed by me and I was certainly not offered any waiver... infact I have never signed a waiver when doing an NCT ?

mickdw

As far as I know the waiver is to do with T belt breakages etc so that if the extreme revs they run the engine at causes a break & wrecks engine, they are not responsible. If you can prove that they damaged the gearbox in the M3 they are 100% responsible & will pay. It has been documented on here if I remember correctly that they damaged a quattro audi due to stupidity & they paid up.
I dont quite understand how they managed to damage your gearbox though. IS it possible that its just gone into a limp mode? The roller tests they carry out might have confused your car as it would be reading that 2 wheels are moving fast & 2 wheels are stopped, just a guess but you never know, could be something that simple.

Yo Mamma

The roller tests they carry out might have confused your car as it would be reading that 2 wheels are moving fast & 2 wheels are stopped, just a guess but you never know, could be something that simple.

I dont know is the honest answer ... I have it booked into a bmw garrage on Monday morning for diagnostics so I am hoping that they can shed some light on it for me.... also... there are no warning light on the dash at all and as far as I am aware that could also indicate a gearbox problem as something like that wouldnt trigger a warning light...

Mr Benevolent

The engine chugging and spluttering doesn't match many common autobox faults really. Are you 100% sure it's the autobox? Could the MAF or a few other things too.

martydunf

...and there was me thinking the purpose of the NCT is to determine whether or not your car is road worthy. My god what a joke this country is....

gu10

nipplenuts wrote: »

I'm pretty sure the waiver you signed before the test would exempt them of responsibility for damage caused.

what kind of a messed up system is this? for a mandatory government test they refuse to accept responsibility

so basically the government has given itself the right to destroy anyone's car for no particular reason

Voodoomelon

I'd say its more of a coincidence than anything. I don't see how an NCT could cause any damage, even the roller tests.

MetzgerMeister

There's a lad on here username Cosmo K who works as a technician for NCTS. If you contact him I'm sure he could give you a definitive answer

Mycroft H

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I'd say its more of a coincidence than anything. I don't see how an NCT could cause any damage, even the roller tests.

Permanent four wheel drive car on a two wheel roller rig?? :pac:

analfabets

landyman wrote: »

Permanent four wheel drive car on a two wheel roller rig?? :pac:

I used to own Audi S2 Quattro. Was tested on same roller as other cars few times. Never a problem. It had Torsen center diff as well.

johnayo

mickdw wrote: »

As far as I know the waiver is to do with T belt breakages etc so that if the extreme revs they run the engine at causes a break & wrecks engine, they are not responsible. If you can prove that they damaged the gearbox in the M3 they are 100% responsible & will pay. It has been documented on here if I remember correctly that they damaged a quattro audi due to stupidity & they paid up.
I dont quite understand how they managed to damage your gearbox though. IS it possible that its just gone into a limp mode? The roller tests they carry out might have confused your car as it would be reading that 2 wheels are moving fast & 2 wheels are stopped, just a guess but you never know, could be something that simple.

Ive seen a problem with a jaguar with problems after driving on icy conditions earlier this year. Wheel spin caused all sorts of problems for the electronics. System reset with jag. diagnostic equipment and all was well again.
This may well be a faulty coil though.
Please post back the "fix".

shamwari

So, did the car actually pass the test?

PaulKK

shamwari wrote: »

So, did the car actually pass the test?

Yo Mamma wrote: »

..... and in fact the NCT gave the car a clean bill of health ?

See the OP

Mycroft H

analfabets wrote: »

I used to own Audi S2 Quattro. Was tested on same roller as other cars few times. Never a problem. It had Torsen center diff as well.

Centre diffs can be damaged by excess speed on speed on the front or rear axles while the other remains stationary.

For any high speed and two roller rig with the central diff locked must be used

Fishtits

landyman wrote: »

Permanent four wheel drive car on a two wheel roller rig?? :pac:

M3 is RWD.

OP get it diagnosed as a start. No point jumping to conclusions.

Esel

I thought the waiver was only for diesels? Don't remember having to sign anything....

Pkiernan

I did my NCT just last month.

Although my appointment letter stated I may be required to sogn a waiver, the test centre didnt even offer me one.

Nor funnily enough was I asked for ID, which was stated in the letter that I would be asked for.

If you feel the test centre damaged your car, get it checked out by an independent mechanic. If possible get BMW to run a full diagnostic. They may be able to pinpoint the time of the damage as well as the extent, and possible causes.

Then get the NCT test procedure - available form their website in pdf form. Look at this, and see if any of their test procedures could have caused the damage described.

Then take the NCT to small claims court, presenting all of the above to the judge.

skibum

My car is a diesel, every time I get it done in deansgrange I have to sign a disclaimer / warning regarding the engine / timing belt.
But I have never been offered it when I bring my wifes car and my mothers car (both petrol)....

Alun

skibum wrote: »

My car is a diesel, every time I get it done in deansgrange I have to sign a disclaimer / warning regarding the engine / timing belt.
But I have never been offered it when I bring my wifes car and my mothers car (both petrol)....

I think that's because when they perform the smoke test for diesels they rev it right up to the limiter, whereas for petrols they perform the test at much more sedate revs.

oylegate

Your problem could be your diff. Limited slip differentials are not supposed to be tested on the brake rollers they need to have a decelerometer test done on them.