NCT

DK32

Just back from an early morning NCT test on an 05 Citroen Xsara Picasso with 33000 miles. The car is in mint condition and very well looked after, my mechanic also checked the car fully on a ramp before today's test.

During the NCT test the guy running the test performed not 1 but 3 tests on the side-slip/alignment test.

At the same time there was a beat up 1988 Toyota Starlet on the ramp beside and no slip test was performed

The outcome of the test was a FAIL/REFUSAL on the NearsideFront worn wishbone bushes. Test readings on the front axle were -2.0 m/km
The limits that constitute a failure are +14 to -14(m/km)

So my question is why was this guy allowed to fail a car that is mechanically sound?

To me it looked like he was just looking to find something wrong with the car.
I'm going to get my mechanic to check for a worn bush and if it is worn I will of course replace it. But this still does not explain why the test readings say it's fine but the tester fails the car :mad:

Mar4ix

Toyota might was on re - test, and if it passed tests on ramp last time, second time testers not check that , just - is it fixed found faults since first test.

Sorry about your car failure , hope it turns out well at the end.

DK32

Thanks Mar4ix. The Starlet did a full test.

slimjimmc

Sounds like he didn't fail it on the side-slip test but on a worn bushing. Any defect with the bushes would invalidate the side-slip test. The shaker plates used by the NCT are more thorough at picking out worn bushes than a hoist so your mechanic could easily have missed them.

CarrickMcJoe

Starlett might have had € 100 in the glove box !

biko

Did you ask at the time?

Davidtipp

Sounds like your mechanic didn't check the rear bushings on the front wishbones. Common failure.

elaverty

As Slims post said,,the shaker plates are so exact,unless the bush was badly worn it would be easy enough for your mechanic to have overlooked it,Dont always blame the mechanic,sometimes you just cant 2nd guess the NCT testers,,,,,,No car will be 100percent,if they want to find something they will..

Davidtipp

elaverty wrote: »

As Slims post said,,the shaker plates are so exact,unless the bush was badly worn it would be easy enough for your mechanic to have overlooked it,Dont always blame the mechanic,sometimes you just cant 2nd guess the NCT testers,,,,,,No car will be 100percent,if they want to find something they will..

These bushing are easy to spot as failed. The rubber inserts are usually torn.

johndaman66

DK32 wrote: »

The Starlet did a full test.

Without meaning to sound smart DK32 how do you know the Starlet was in for a full test?