Range Rover MOT Inspection in Walsall
A black Range Rover came into us here at Platinum Vehicle Services in Walsall for its annual MOT. The owner had kept it in good general condition, but as with any vehicle of this size and weight, there are specific areas that take more punishment than others and that we always pay close attention to during a test. Range Rovers are well-built cars, but they are heavy, they sit high, and the components that manage all of that weight work harder than they would on a lighter vehicle. That means the inspection needs to be thorough, not just a pass or fail on the obvious items.
The Suspension and Steering Components Showed Wear That Would Have Worsened Quickly Without Attention
When we put the Range Rover over the ramp and worked through the suspension and steering checks, we found play in one of the front track rod ends. The movement was not excessive, but it was beyond what is acceptable for a pass and, more importantly, beyond what you want on a vehicle that weighs over two tonnes. A worn track rod end affects your steering precision. At low speed you might not notice much, but at motorway speeds or during an emergency manoeuvre, that small amount of slack becomes a real problem because the wheel is not responding to exactly what you are asking it to do. Left unaddressed, the component can deteriorate further and eventually fail altogether, at which point you lose steering control. The cost of replacing a track rod end on its own is manageable. The cost of ignoring it until the joint fails, and the consequential damage that follows, is considerably higher. We also checked the air suspension system, which is standard on this model, and confirmed the ride height and pressure were sitting within the correct range, so no work was needed there.
The Brake Pads Were Still Within Tolerance but Only Just, and We Made Sure the Customer Knew Before Leaving
The front brake pads measured 4mm of friction material remaining. That is above the legal minimum, so it did not affect the MOT result, but it is worth understanding what that number means in practice. New pads typically start at around 10 to 12mm. By the time you reach 3mm you are approaching the point where the wear indicator will start making contact with the disc and you will begin to hear a high-pitched scraping sound when you brake. At 2mm the metal backing plate can begin to score the disc surface. Once that happens you are no longer just replacing pads, you are replacing discs as well, and on a Range Rover of this size and specification, that is a significantly more expensive job. We advised the owner that the pads would need attention within the next few thousand miles and booked them in for a follow-up check. The rear brakes were in better condition at around 6mm, so those have more life left in them.
The MOT Was Completed and the Vehicle Passed, With a Clear Record of Everything Checked
Once the track rod end was replaced and torqued to the manufacturer's specification, we completed the full MOT inspection across all the required categories. That includes lighting, tyres, bodywork, exhaust emissions, wipers, horn, mirrors, and all of the safety-critical systems. The Range Rover passed without any additional advisories beyond the brake pad note we had already discussed with the customer. The tyres were sitting at around 5mm of tread depth across all four corners, which is well above the 1.6mm legal limit, and the condition of the tread was even, suggesting the geometry is set correctly. The emissions reading came back clean, which is what you want to see from a well-maintained engine.
If your vehicle is coming up for its MOT, or if you have noticed anything in your steering or braking that does not feel quite right, it is worth getting it looked at sooner rather than later. On heavier vehicles in particular, things like steering wander, a pulling sensation when you brake, or a vibration through the wheel at speed can all be early signs that something needs attention. We carry out MOT testing and vehicle inspections here in Walsall and we work on all makes and models, from small hatchbacks through to large SUVs like this Range Rover. You can book your MOT or arrange an inspection by visiting platinumvehicleservices.co.uk.
