24 replies to this topic

[Bungle]

are you or have you been a MOT tester tommy13 ?

[tommy13]

It is unacceptable for plastics to replace or reinforce corroded or weak metal in prescribed areas and load bearing sections.

So what if you're replacing or reinforcing good metal? This seems to imply repairs rather than modifications.

I have a carbon boot floor and carbon rear valence. My brother, whom is an MOT tester, has told me that if he tests my mini he will fail it, however if I send it to him with the rear valence and boot floor removed he'll pass it.

I feel you may have taken your brothers comments out of context or misunderstood him, what are you going to fasten the rear subby rear mounts to if the floor is removed?.
Appendix C of the manual is fairly short and is worth reading for information on corrosion and removal of panelling.

http://www.transport...lsandguides.htm


I don't make the rules, I just enforce them.

Edited by tommy13, 09 November 2010 - 08:37 PM.

[tommy13]

are you or have you been a MOT tester tommy13 ?

Yes, for over 25 years. ( and still am)

Edited by tommy13, 09 November 2010 - 08:29 PM.

[geo]

I feel you may have taken your brothers comments out of context or misunderstood him, what are you going to fasten the rear subby rear mounts to if the floor is removed?.

Maybe, Thanks for the link. My understanding is that because both the carbon boot floor (which replaces just the middle part of the boot floor) and rear valance are fitted within 30cm of the subby mounts it should fail because they are structural areas, however if there is no rear valance and the middle section of the boot floor is removed it should pass because there is no rust or repairs within 30cm of the mounts.

[tommy13]

It is unacceptable for plastics to replace or reinforce corroded or weak metal in prescribed areas and load bearing sections.

So what if you're replacing or reinforcing good metal? This seems to imply repairs rather than modifications.

I have a carbon boot floor and carbon rear valence. My brother, whom is an MOT tester, has told me that if he tests my mini he will fail it, however if I send it to him with the rear valence and boot floor removed he'll pass it.

I feel you may have taken your brothers comments out of context or misunderstood him, what are you going to fasten the rear subby rear mounts to if the floor is removed?.
Appendix C of the manual is fairly short and is worth reading for information on corrosion and removal of panelling.

http://www.transport...lsandguides.htm


I don't make the rules, I just enforce them.

The above link does not go straight to appendix C. To view this select.
Inspection manual classes 3,4 and7
Contents
Next page
C structural integrity and corrosion (near the bottom)

[Bungle]

are you or have you been a MOT tester tommy13 ?

Yes, for over 25 years. ( and still am)

well that's 2 MOT testers i have heard that from now so i will stick with a steel valance and replace it every 20 years

thanks for the advice

[geo]

Thanks for the link tommy13, I'm going to study the whole manual when I've got time.

Panel removal or replacement with different materials

On a vehicle of integral construction the strength and stiffness of the whole structure may be seriously affected by any panel being removed or replaced by a panel of different material.

If it is considered that a modification has significantly reduced the original strength and stiffness of the structure, the tester should fail the vehicle under the appropriate section. If there is doubt about the effect of the modification the tester should pass and advise.

It is unacceptable for plastics to replace or reinforce corroded or weak metal in prescribed areas and load bearing sections.

I think this is what my brother meant. Plastics are not allowed in prescribed areas but if the metal is removed it is down to the tester to decide if it is integral to the structure or not. At least that's how I read it

[tommy13]

Maybe, Thanks for the link. My understanding is that because both the carbon boot floor (which replaces just the middle part of the boot floor) and rear valance are fitted within 30cm of the subby mounts it should fail because they are structural areas, however if there is no rear valance and the middle section of the boot floor is removed it should pass because there is no rust or repairs within 30cm of the mounts.

This all seems to be wandering a bit off topic, but basically your brother is corect, depending on whether you think removal of the valance will weaken the rear subby mounts. If you read Appendix C pay attention to paragraphs 4 and 14 and form your own opinion.
Bungle, if you see this you may be interested in paragraph 8.

[TopCatCustom]

WOW this has busied up a bit since I checked yesterday!!!

So apart from the MOT business, as I suspected the fibreglass one will likely be too thick to make any decent weight saving. In that case I may just plasma cut or hole saw some vents in the existing steel one, as it will be free, stronger and the weight will probably end up within a few grams of a composite one. Also you have to think about the fixings or adhesive when fitting a fibreglass one, ok not much but still a quarter of a tube of gunk and some rivets etc adds to the weight.

And as someone else has mentioned- every few ounces adds up, I'm only 10 stone (though last weekends stag do drinking may have slightly added to that figure ), and I am doing plenty of other mods to make the mini lighter, so its not just a daft insignificant mod on its own!

[geo]

I assume you need to save weight on the track, but also use your mini on the road? I think the simplest solution is to have a bolt on rear valance, that way you can unbolt it for the track to save weight.