Our Ipsilon had failed the test – badly.
They say things happen in threes – stolen rear registration plate at the end of last year followed by the linkage problem and now this…
We were given a figure of £600 to repair so concluded that our Ipsilon had to be disposed of as it was not economically viable.
This came as a surprise as the previous MOT didn’t show advisories for strut pins, anti-roll bar pins and shock absorber so an inspection by myself went underway…
No fluid leak from the rear shock absorber was seen but it was slow to retract so I changed it anyway. Next, front wheel was removed and scored brake discs had no lips on their edges; both front brake pads were measured at 5mm and not 1.5mm stated. Armed with photos and the old shock absorber, I visited the garage that did the MOT handing the inspector (I later found out) a souvenir of the “serious fluid leak” shock absorber. I also disagreed with his findings regarding brake pads and anti-roll bar pin that appeared to have to ‘play’. Both top mounts creaked on steering but couldn’t be seen so debatable whether they could be failed and front brake discs, however scored, didn’t have much of a lip on their edges. I left the car there…
On collection, the inspector “had gone for a walk” but his manager stated that the brake pads were fine.
In the car, a MOT pass certificate was found !
Words and photos are copyright of Sotiris Vassiliou
January 2026
