We are all go for another year!
I drove on the all new bright and shiny A8 to Larne, this lovely sunny morning. There were stretches where I was all alone with green fields and cows chewing away, far too busy to notice me tootling along.
Naturally I was early for my appointment. I was asked to arrive at the vehicle testing Centre ten minutes before the appointed time. I was due to arrive at 10:40hrs, for a test at 10:50hrs. At the appointed time, you draw the vehicle up to the line and wait until you are beckoned to move forward.
Being a little earlier than required, I reversed into a parking space with full view of all that was going on. Driving school cars with would-be drivers nervously arriving to take their driving test. then I noticed some unusual activity from the MOT hanger …
The car in waiting at Lane one, began to reverse away from the building. It was closely followed by another car and a white van. Then ever so slowly I saw something bright yellow inching the way out of the hanger. I got out of my car with my cell phone a photoo opportunity if ever there was one…
Wait for me!
One of the testers was at the wheel, he reversed in a circle before roaring off to circuit the building. I was ready when he came round to the front again, I hit the button not quite sure if I had the object of my interest lined up properly … he was moving fast, but with caution. Another half circuit and the sound of the engine died, so I expect the car belonged to the driver and he needed to return to duty.
I joined Lane 2 as arranged and in no time at all I was waved forward.
Nose into the hanger so the exhaust immision was tested. I was then invited to move forward to the next position and was asked to switch off the enging and open the bonnet/hood. Happy with that it was closed again and I had the fun of trying to remember the things I do automatically every time I drive:- indicators, lights on all three levels, fog light and the horn. That was my job complete and I was asked once more to switch off. vacate the car and move to the seating area along the side of the wall. With doors open at both ends it can feel rather cold, well it does for me.
The tester took over for the next stages, the car is driven forward the front wheels are placed on a metal pad and the guts are shaken out of the front axel/wheels, they are then dropped down in to a vice like well where they are pushed and pulled with gusto. This process is repeated for the back axel. When all four wheels are back on the ground level, I sigh with relief, only one more stage to go.
On to a ramp and up she goes!
My little Beauty
Not bad for a car manufactured at the start of the century. Yes, the year was 2000 and the milage on the clock this morning? 70,474 miles.
I was talking to Elly when I came home she will be spending the wekend at the Sea of Galilee. When I told her the milage on my car, she replied “I will propable cover more than that on my working trips to Israel, by the end of the year”!
Elly has promised …I did hear her … not to try walking on water! Knowing her, she will probably dip her toes!
Stay safe my my love!
Glad the old motor is still shipshape! I know exactly what you mean about trying to remember the things you do automatically. Very embarrassing when the simplest instruction leaves me floundering! Fortunately my new(ish) car won’t need an MOT for another three years.
Thanks Nick. It was serviced a week ago, the guys look after it well .., but there is always that little niggle in my mind … will it pass!
Lovely! Now you are set to go on your ramblings!! Enjoy the summer!!
I have had a busy week of rambling so far, may it long continue!
Excellent! I’m still driving my 2000 Honda. It’s got a few more miles on it ~ 97,000.
Mine might have been more but for the eight month medical ban last year while they discovered the cause of my blackouts. The culprit was mediction for BP!
Yay! That’s that done and dusted.
A 2007 car we are selling has the equivalent of 90 000 miles on the clock! And at one stage we used to do 2 000 miles plus in one annual holiday!
I make many journeys, but never that long. When I go to Dublin family members often opt to drive me places so I can enjoy a drink, something I never touch when driving.
That is one great advantage of having a local within walking distance. I SO hate being the designated driver and having to sip dolefully on my lemonade.
Unfortunately I have no family or relations near me. I discovered that as a widow here in NI, I am invited for coffee or lunch but seldom for dinner and then I am usually driving.
Most unfair.
Such is life! It could be worse.
When we first moved to Arkansas in 1980, we had to get our vehicles inspected. On January 1, 1998, a new law abolished the requirement for regular vehicle inspections, though vehicles owners whose cars are stopped for safety concerns are subject to fines. To be honest, I don’t think there are any more unsafe cars on the road after the change went into effect. If anything, there actually seems to be fewer, from my perception, which, if true would be strange. I would think that there would be more.
I wish more government programs could be abolished, especially those that give the citizens little or no value for what they cost.
Once a car reaches four years on the road it must go through an annual vehicle test and the cost to the car owner is £30.50 GBP/$47.3615 USD. It very much depends on the day, the condition of the car and the person carrying out the testing. I have the car servised and clean before I go along and try to have a conversation with the guys. The yellow car was a great conversation starter today. Telling them I always wanted to build a Kit car, certainly helped and they suddenly saw this stiff little old lady in a new light!
Actually, that is quite a bit of running that the car has done. Mine does just about 1200 Kms per month on an average. Despite such running, if it is in such good shape, yes, it is a great vehicle and you are a very good driver / maintainer. Congratulations.
I drove it to Scotland when Elly was there and on other occasions from Stranrear in Scotland to County Durham in England and back. The road to Dublin seems easier these days with motorway for all but about two miles at the beginning and end of each journey. Now that the good weather has arrived, who knows where it will take me.
we have WOF [warrant of fitness] car checks as well -but having no car nowadays i have no idea on timing periods or $required…
I must check with my brother in Melbourne when I am talking to him.
I wouldn’t have passed your car for inspection……the steering wheel is on the wrong side!
No, no no,Al the steering wheel is on the RIGHT side of the dashboard. 😛 Wheel on the right and we drive on the left.
GM, he’s joking. (You’re joking too with your -quote-“RIGHT side” ??)
I know that Al is teasing me, but we do drive on the left hand side of the road, so the stewering wheel is on the right.
We all know that. I took your “right side” as meaning the “Correct side”. LOL
yes, it is the correct side … for us!
I always find that if you have your car serviced on the same day that it is being tested and at the same garage/test centre, it always passes. Now there’s a surprise ! .. 🙂
John, over in Northern Ireland the test centres are government run and separate to all garages, unlike in England.
MY MY MY ! What a driving test. Your car had it harder than you did. Here in the USA it’s pretty sloppy. And the car goes scot-free without a test.
Once a car is four years old, it has to be inspected and tested every year.
Delighted for you. Daughter’s car was the same vintage and she just got a new one as there were continuing problems and the fear of breaking down in the wilderness with no cell phone service.
I know driving is such a pleasure for you and me. I never take it for granted. Freedom I wheels. 😀
XO
WWW
‘Freedom wheels’ says it all!
I have never had one that didn’t pass inspection, as I take pretty good care of my vehicles.
It is a big government farce here, as there are many many illegals driving without either licenses or insurance or register vehicles.
I always garage my car at night and try to drive with due care and attention at all times. Up until April of this year we had to display up to date disks for the Road Tax and vehicle test (where applicable), but that never stopped the odd offender slipping through the net. Now with an updated computerisation system the window display are no longer in use.
What a fantastic car! Our cars rack up the mileage so quickly that they just don’t last like that! I would just love to hear more about Elly’s experiences along the way if you will be free to share them! What a fantastic opportunity! I’m sure you’ll be thinking of her all the time and eager for her to return…but again, what an experience. 🙂
Australia is a big country! If I travelled from the top right corner of County Antrim, down to The coast of Co Kerry in the south west of the Island. it would take about six and a half hours (370 miles) – half the time from Melbourne to Sydney!
This is Elly’s fourth trip so far this year to the Middle East. We have talked on the phone a few times and the odd photo sent to keep me going, but I will have to wait for a sit down together for all the details.