NCT Brake Test FAIL

Long Sean Silver

Just got my car back from NCT. It failed, but to say I'm confused is an understatement.

Before I brought her in I knew the Rear Pads were low, as the BMW service indicator/sensor was telling me this. Also I took the rear drivers' wheel off and did a visible myself using one of those multi-coloured tools. It showed I had 4mm of pads left, so I was hoping it might pass. The disc was fine.

Had the test. Fingers crossed. Fair enough the NCT tester said the Pads (& Discs) were ok, but obviously Pads needed doing in the near future, so he put the Pads down as an Advisory.

Now here's where the confusion starts. According to the report, if I am reading it correctly, the brakes Passed all tests. But he put a N/D highlighted in Yellow?!

At the bottom of the report he has marked under Visual Defects

"Re-Test - Brake Test - Again - MAJOR"

"Brake Fluid Warning Lamp - Fault Indicated/Defective - MINOR"

Am I right in assuming the BMW service light is causing him to mark this as a Re-TEST?

User1998

You have a brake malfunction therefore the brake test wasn’t carried out.

The same way if you have an engine malfunction the emissions test won’t be carried out.

The pads were marked as an advisory because the tester visually inspected them, without the need for a brake test.

Long Sean Silver

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120855418#Comment_120855418

but the Brake test was done. it shows the results on the report, and they have passed (within the failing limits) on all categories, ie Ovality, Imbalance, & Performance. i can upload the report if you want.

User1998

Well N/D means ‘not done’ in my experience and needs to be done again. Or maybe its done but isn’t valid because of the malfunction.

Just clear the malfunction warning and do your re test.

Long Sean Silver

Here is the report

MarkR

Did you have a brake fluid warning light in the dash?

Long Sean Silver

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120855626#Comment_120855626

No. I don't know why he even put that on the report. But the brake pad warning light is flashing. I think he confused them.

User1998

My understanding is that the brake warning made the brake test invalid and it needs to be done again. As you can see from the results it will pass no problem.

You got an advisory for the pads so you might as well change them now and pass your re test

T-Maxx

This is why the actual tester hands the report to you in person and talks you through it.

greasepalm

But you maybe missing another clue brake warning sensor built into the pads and damaged needing new pads and sensors.

Mercs were sneaky as sensor was in pad 1/2 way and needed pads changed earlier when it grounded.

Anything to do with brakes is usually a retest.

Long Sean Silver

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120856332#Comment_120856332

in fairness he didn't explain it very well. he kept going on about the Brake Fluid light, but that wasn't flashing at all.😒

Long Sean Silver

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120856373#Comment_120856373

yes, on my car the sensors are fitted/embedded into the pads. they are time, wear & mileage sensitive. some people just cut them back and tidy them away. no more warning symbols, but you'll need to visibly check your brakes every 6 months or so. luckily i have a spare set, so i'll swap them out next week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNSldyemk_8

not so sure the blow torch is such a wise idea!!

greasepalm

Yes been there and done that but had a paint stripper or fag lighter to shrink it and when pads needed to be changed new sensors.

greasepalm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120856429#Comment_120856429

Sounds like level was low in container and might have flashed.

Did you get oils ,water , lights and tyres checked before you went in for test?

Long Sean Silver

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120856734#Comment_120856734

lights, oil, water, coolant, tyres were all checked. i may have overlooked the Brake fluid, so i better have a look and top that up if needed.

would i be right in saying that as the pads wear, this can sometimes cause the fluid level to drop?

greasepalm

Yes as pads wear fluid level drops and if clutch was off that reservoir it would also drop level.

greasepalm

Was level low?

Long Sean Silver

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120862168#Comment_120862168

it was but nothing crazy. about 1/4 inch below what you might expect. i topped it up and pumped the brakes a few times, and they are much more solid than before.

the sensor is what's causing the warning light to come on. it's shot, so it not accepting a reset. tried using button on the dash and also i've got one of those OBD gizmos you plug in, but it still wont reset. i'll take it out and replace it and see how we go.