C5 MOT

[mhamilton]

I have a 2004 C5 Corvette with just over 3000 miles which I have had from new and has had very few MOT’s, I have now moved 70 miles away from my old MOT test garage.

My MOT tester is extremely good especially with more classic cars, he would not put my C5 Corvette on the rolling road, I never asked why, stupid I know, he used a decelerometer tester.

I found a very good local garage and had my daily driver MOT test done, I asked why my last MOT garage would not use the rolling road, he said if the car has a limited slip differential you could possibly cause damage to the limited slip differential.

I had to Google if a C5 Corvette has a limited slip differential and they do.

I asked Google the question below.

(Yes, an MOT brake test on a roller brake tester can damage a slip differential, especially on older friction-plate limited slip differentials (LSDs). The rollers can force one wheel to stop while the other turns, creating unequal forces that can stress the LSD. It is safer to inform the tester beforehand or request a decelerometer test, which uses a G-meter instead of rollers.)

I know all C5 Corvettes need an MOT, have any member had a problem or am I worrying over nothing.

I am out of the country for 3months when my MOT runs out, I think VOSA could take a dim view of me driving 70 miles just get an MOT.

My 17 year old grandson wants me to MOT my Corvette so I better do as I am told.

Thank you in advance Michael.

 

[Roscobbc]

If the current MOT is still valid.............why not drive the 70 miles to your long term tester? - if the test has run out that could be a different scenario

 

[BigVet]

You do not need a current mot to drive to a test, providing you are taking the shortest route, have no passengers and it is booked in.

 

[mhamilton]

Roscobbc thank you, I had thought of that but unfortunately he has just had a Triple Heart Bypass, the good news he is recovering very well but will not be going back to work until I am out of the UK.

Thank you BigVet I have done that many times, but I don’t know if VOSA could take a dim view of the distance.

Michael.

 

[FIVE RED]

It's almost like looking at our car in your photo. We've had our C5 for almost 18 years, in that time I've never had an issue with MOT's, nor has any tester mentioned any potential problem with limited slip diffs. Correct me if I'm wrong but I'd expect most rear while drive cars will have a LSD, apart from some Mustangs I believe. Hope this helps.

 

[mhamilton]

Thank you Five Red I did not know but most cars don’t have limited slip differentials they are more on performance cars, but as you have had many MOT’s which require the rolling road brake test I should have nothing to worry about.

Michael.

 

[CaptainK]

Another option you could take is have the car trailered down to your preferred garage. Yes, its expensive, but its still an option.

 

[mhamilton]

Cheers CaptainK thanks, I moved here to be near my grandchildren so it makes sence to have it done locally in the future, and all you C5 owners have MOT's so should not be a problem.
Hi just in case anyone is curious I am very bad on computers and my old login name was Funchi but I could not login so set up this new account, old age is not doing me any favours.

 

[CaptainK]

Ah nice one, good to keep an eye on grand kids. My folks live miles away so don't get to see their grand kid (my kid) that often.

Where abouts are you based? A member might be able to recommend a good local MOT garage for Corvettes.

 

[Oneball]

Every MOT test station should have a Tapley Meter. Most cars with limited slip diffs that were originally sold in the UK have a warning come up on the MOT software. Yours probably won’t unless it’s a UK car. Just ask who you want to use for the MOT if they have a Tapley Meter they can use for the MOT on your car as it had a LSD.

 

[Blackzed]

A Tapley meter is what my local MOT tester used when his rolling road was not working.
It has only been used the once since I have been having MOTs in all my Corvettes.
It normally goes on the rollers. It might be programmed to be used with an LSD, might be worth the question.
Surely MOT test stations have cars with LSDs in regularly, they must have a way round it.

 

[Roscobbc]

Ah ha! - the infamous Funchi no less !

Cheers CaptainK thanks, I moved here to be near my grandchildren so it makes sence to have it done locally in the future, and all you C5 owners have MOT's so should not be a problem.
Hi just in case anyone is curious I am very bad on computers and my old login name was Funchi but I could not login so set up this new account, old age is not doing me any favours.

 

[Roscobbc]

Cheers CaptainK thanks, I moved here to be near my grandchildren so it makes sence to have it done locally in the future, and all you C5 owners have MOT's so should not be a problem.
Hi just in case anyone is curious I am very bad on computers and my old login name was Funchi but I could not login so set up this new account, old age is not doing me any favours.

Weren't you based in NE Essex?........or is that where you've now moved to?

 

[Chuffer]

Thank you Five Red I did not know but most cars don’t have limited slip differentials they are more on performance cars, but as you have had many MOT’s which require the rolling road brake test I should have nothing to worry about.

Michael.

Many cars I have owned have had LSD`s and have used a local MOT test garage for many years with all of them . Where are you residing ?

 

[mhamilton]

Yes Roscobbc it's the infamous Funchi.

I have moved to Great Bentley Essex CaptainK it was once a small village it's now a Small City, as soon as someone builds a Cathedral I am sure we will get City Status.
Hopefully a member close can give me a tip.

Michael.

​

 

[Chuffer]

Yes Roscobbc it's the infamous Funchi.

I have moved to Great Bentley Essex CaptainK it was once a small village it's now a Small City, as soon as someone builds a Cathedral I am sure we will get City Status.
Hopefully a member close can give me a tip.

Michael.

​

Unfortunately you are too far from the test station I use in South Northants . Maybe you should have moved to Little Bentley as presumably that would be somewhat smaller ?

 

[mhamilton]

Chuffer

 

[shorty]

I recently had my 2000 C5 MOT'D at Anglia Tyre & MOT garage in Colchester, they are into their American cars. They have a Facebook page. I am in Great Holland Essex so not too far from you.

 

[teamzr1]

Not sure what the issue is as ?
Take any Corvette if a C3 through C8s with posi, limited slip, Elsd,
Run tight autocross, track, drags, windy mountain roads, doing donuts or figure 8s and ass end never breaks
unless adding lots of HP & Tq with stock ass end parts and half shafts

 

[Oneball]

Not sure what the issue is as ?
Take any Corvette if a C3 through C8s with posi, limited slip, Elsd,
Run tight autocross, track, drags, windy mountain roads, doing donuts or figure 8s and ass end never breaks
unless adding lots of HP & Tq with stock ass end parts and half shafts

The issue is the rollers used in our mot test test the wheels individually so one wheel is running at 40mph and the other is stationary. An unsympathetic tester car burn through the friction plates. As you say shouldn’t be an issue for a short period of time but there is a reason the tester’s handbook says to use a Tapley meter instead.