Wondered if the collective brain can help clarify a few things about an MoT, car is an F Reg RHD (September 88) D*lly. Might be one for Daras.

Are the following likely to be issues?

Lights
Main beam - no indicator light to warn of main beam As an aside, is it true the wiring is all there behind the dash and just needs connecting up?
Indicators, does the click click count as an audible warning?

Tow Hitch
H style, bolted to chassis, wiring all ok, but no buzzer for indicators.

VIN
Should be where exactly...? I'm now on chassis #3, is it on the bulkhead?

Steering lock
Not functioning. Somebody lost the keys a while ago so we disconnected it so it could be hot wired. Keys then found but steering lock never reinstalled. It still clicks, but the steering doesn't lock.

Tyres
What IS the legal tread depth and what is "a third" of the tyre? Two of mine have uneven wear.


Brakes
Discs have surface rust having sat for two years, guess this will clean up with a bit of use?

Number Plate
Front currently painted onto bonnet. Probably a good idea to have one made and cable tie it to the adventure bars at the front - are cable ties ok for that?

Pedals
Missing rubber pads.

Exhaust
Side exit (pinched from Mehari)

Not entirely sure about the main beam tell-tale. I think the computer is now supposed to bring up a note saying 2CVs never had one fitted?

The clicking of the flasher unit has always been enough for me (and my MOT testers, although the current one doesn't actually get in the car at any point during the test!)

I seem to recall our tester telling me that the electrics test isn't required on 2CVs, due to an age cut-off. If I'm wrong, though, I think it'd fail for not having a buzzer or other warning device. The security of the tow-bar is part of the test, I believe, but I'm sure you'll have no problems there. VIN plate should be on the driver's side of the bulkhead, near the top. On my '89 D*lly it was obscured by all the soundproofing!

Steering lock not required on anything pre 2001.

Minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm for a car, but you knew that, being conversant with the Highway Code! I'm not entirely sure on the uneven wear point, I'm afraid.

I would imagine you're right about the discs.

I think you'll probably fail with your current number plate! I would think cable ties should be OK, as long as it's not going to fall off, and they don't actually obscure it. It might depend on whether the tester gets the impression you're planning to take it straight off again after the test, and thinks you're taking the mick...

I'm pretty sure missing or worn out rubbers on brake and clutch pedals should be a fail although, again, it probably depends on how thorough the tester is. Much nicer (and safer) to drive with wet shoes if you replace them, anyway!

Exhaust should be absolutely fine.

Cheers Luke, which pedals need rubbers on, all of them?

Just the clutch and the brake - the ones which could cause an accident if your foot slipped off them!

My F reg '88 has had the warning lights fitted for both main beam and indicators. I got the lights from a Dyane dashboard and they fit in the holes provided and there is wiring behind the dash for a quick and easy fix. My car also doesn't have a steering lock and doesn't need to. Only from 51 plate on does the lock need to be present and working.

Hi Sam. Most of your questions have already been answered, but as you mentioned me!:....
As Luke said, I sorted this out with Vosa a couple of years ago and as a result they exempted 2CVs from this requirement by adding a note that should some up on the sheet of paper that the tester prints out before doing the test.
Yes, later 2CVs have the wiring for indicator and main beam warning lamps, tucked away behind the speedo: the wires are taped together in pairs, (earth and live, for each circuit). Using standard 2CV warning lamps in the two blanked of holes to the right of the speedo, they will just about clear the housing, but you may need to move the existing loom up or down slightly. In other words, it's often a bit tight.
The mot testers manual says that the indicators warning should be visual or audible. It's up to the tester what he considers to be audible. I've never had a problem with any of my customers cars.

The mountings and the surrounding metal (30cm) need to be ok. The operation of the electrics is not tested on older cars but, as with all visible wiring on the car, (even speaker wiring!), it needs to be secure and undamaged. The ball (if fitted) also needs to be in good condition but if it's got a cover on it, the tester is not supposed to remove it, so it isn't inspected!

It doesn't matter where it is, as long as the tester can find it. Originally it would have been on the bulkhead: driver's side.

Not a testable item on older cars.

It needs to be a minimum of 1.6mm over the whole of the central 3/4 of the tread. So: measure the width of the tread, work out what 3/4 of that is, find the centre line of the tread, measure half of your calculated 3/4 from each side of the centre line. That's the area.

It normally cleans off quite quickly with use but if it's been damp, the area where the pads were may be more rusted than the rest of the disc. This might cause a fluctuation in braking efficiency. Hopefully that won't be the case and it will clean off enough with use, on the way to the mot.

It doesn't matter what holds it on, as long as it's secure and it's fixings don't obscure the number plate.

No problem. Although, if he really knows A-series and he's feeling really mean, I suppose he could consider the exhaust to be insecure, if you haven't got the Mehari/van rear mounting bracket* to stop excessive sideways movement. (*Some people wrap cable-ties around the rubber instead).

Can't see much problems except maybe for number plate and pedal rubbers.
VIN would have been on RH front chassis leg originally, isn't it mentioned on the papers?
For the tires: http://www.ukmot.com/mot%20manual/index ... Number=4.1

This is all brilliant, thank you chaps. On reflection I think my only worry is the pedal rubbers and the tyres. In my experience the company I use, Just MoTs in Bognor, West Sussex are very good. They've passed the Van twice and the Mehari without any advisories and have always been sensible.

Warning lights for indicators and high beam might be a nice afternoon task over Easter once all the other prep is done!

On earlier vehicles (like Sam's AK) it was on the chassis leg but on Sam's D*lly, it would have been on the bulkhead.

Ah yes, I forgot to mention the VIN plate is riveted to the bulkhead under the bonnet.