Strutting her stuff
Last Wednesday was the appointed day and we arrived in good time joining in line with the others waiting to perform.
A shuttered door was raised and the lights changed from red to green when it was time to enter. It was a large warehouse type building with modern computerised equipment to record details and speed up the process.
Our turn came and we moved forward until a raised hand told us to stop. Opening the window I handed over the paperwork.
At this stage there were two toyboys playing with my pride and joy. One worked from the rear connecting a hose, while I played twenty questions - avec des actions - with the other. Once the lights - side, dipped and full beam, break, fog & hazards and the indicators, all shone, blinked or flashed to prove they could, it was inside to check that all five seat belts closed, opened and showed no signs of wear. Before closing the last passenger door I was asked to pull the leaver to open the bonnet and then the engine was examined in detail.
Once satisfied that all was in order under the bonnet I was invited to vacate the car and sit on the cold hard seats behind protective rails.
The vehicle tester then drove to stage two where first the front wheels and then the back two are dropped into the bone shaker (my name for it), I wonder if it is to find out if any parts are ready to fall off? :roll: Nothing fell on the ground, not even the fifty pence piece I lost in the car last week. 
Then it was on to greater heights:
Slow down there Mister, or I will hit the roof, never mind my little treasure!
So Mister tester stepped in under my car with a powerful torch light and a screwdriver to poke and prod every inch of the under surface, the axles and the inside of my wheels. Once he was satisfied the car was lowered halfway until the wheel arches were at eye level to the examiner. The front wheels were turned and again the bright light and screwdriver were employed in checking everything out. The back wheel arches were given their check over too and then the car was lowered to ground level.
Once a few buttons were punched and the details compiled, I was waved forward from my pen. The guy had a little piece of paper in his waving hand. Good sign!
Yes! My little treasure passed with flying colours for another year.
“Nice little car you have there!” said the guy as he handed me the certificate.
I was one happy bunny, although frozen, as I tootled back home. It was dark, but dry, unlike the route from Carrickfergus. Another lady who joined me in the waiting area, said it was snowing as she drove over to the test centre.
It was 7pm when I reached home and turned the key in my door, the blast of heat was very welcome and I was ready for a warming dinner!
Nick said,
February 23, 2010 at 8:24 am
Always a bit nerve-racking, isn’t it, when they start filling in their forms and you wonder what exactly they’re putting down - a list of faults or an okay? I’ve only been failed once in seven years, not bad.
Grannymar said,
February 23, 2010 at 8:44 am
Nick - I remember the very first time I took a car for the test. When asked to put on the lights, I hit the wipers and visa-versa. I must have looked very nervous because the tester said “We are testing the car and not you, so take your time”! So far I have had a clean sheet!
gaelikaa said,
February 23, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Well that sounds like quite an ordeal. Hope BOTH of you are okay now!
Grannymar said,
February 23, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Gaelikaa - In ROI and the US - I am not sure about Mainland UK - you hand over the keys and the testers take the car through its paces. In NI we must stay with the vehicle. I imagine it is a all due to the years of the troubles when all public servants were and indeed still are targets.
Rummuser said,
February 23, 2010 at 3:01 pm
With car bombing quite the done thing now, no wonder they want you to be physically present with the vehicle. Very sensible. On the other hand, if a Pakistani drove in, it could well be kaboom!
Nancy said,
February 23, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Gee, Grannymar, it’s amazing how different our two countries are….
This is the way my doctor gives me a physical…..
I hate being put up on that lift but the “Bone Shaker” part is worse!
Grannymar said,
February 23, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Ramana - Unfortunately we had another example of terrorism yesterday with a bomb in a car outside Newry Courthouse. Thankfully nobody was hurt.
Grannymar said,
February 23, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Nancy - I am glad I don’t visit your doctor!
Baino said,
February 23, 2010 at 7:39 pm
That is without any shadow of a doubt, the cleanest mechanical workshop I have ever seen! We get tested every year but not quite as vigilantly.
Grannymar said,
February 23, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Baino - that is the test centre and they have it down to a fine art!
grace said,
February 24, 2010 at 3:46 am
Precaution is always very important.
It sounds like nobody was hurt… and that we should be glad about.
bikehikebabe said,
February 24, 2010 at 7:35 pm
We’ve seen your kitchen, bedroom, hallway, your walks, several parks, & now your car. I like this.
Grannymar said,
February 24, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Bhb - You see me - the real me, here on my blog.
Val said,
February 24, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Well done
My mums car passed yesterday. I always think it’s so worrying sitting, wondering if the car will pass……and I feel sorry for the car the way it’s put through all those tests.
Grannymar said,
February 24, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Val - I had a pre MOT check done the previous week so I felt fairly confident that it would go through. The tests that the car goes through are to prove it is road worthy and safe for me to drive on a public highway.
Margaret Kilgore said,
February 26, 2010 at 12:27 pm
So if your vehicle fails these tests, do you walk home?
Grannymar said,
February 26, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Margaret, you are given a short length of time to have the faults repaired or parts replaced and must pay for and undergo another test. If you fail to have a valid MOT certificate and Motor Tax disc displayed on the windscreen of the car the fine is £1,000.