Nissan X-Trail MOT Inspection in Walsall Passes With No Issues Found

A black Nissan X-Trail came into us at Platinum Vehicle Services for its MOT. The owner had kept on top of the car and wanted it checked over properly before the certificate was due. We put it through the full inspection process, and as part of that we gave the rear right wheel a thorough going-over — tyres, brakes, wheel bearing, shock absorber, and suspension spring. It is worth walking through what we looked at and what we found, because it gives a good picture of what a proper MOT inspection actually involves on this type of vehicle.

The Rear Tyre, Brake Disc, Pads, and Wheel Bearing Were Each Checked Individually and in Full

We started at the tyre. The tread depth was well within legal limits and the sidewalls were in good condition on both the outer and inner faces, with no cracking, bulging, or cuts. The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, and this one had a good amount of depth remaining across that full width. Once the tyre was cleared, we moved on to the brake disc and pads. The disc showed the kind of light surface wear you would expect on a car of this age and mileage, but there was no deep grooving, no lipping around the edge significant enough to cause concern, and no sign of cracking. The pads had material remaining and were not at the point of needing attention. We then spun the wheel by hand to check the bearing. We were listening and feeling for any roughness, grinding, or looseness in the rotation. There was none. The bearing felt tight and the wheel spun cleanly with no play when we checked it side to side and top to bottom.

The Shock Absorber Was Completely Dry and the Suspension Spring Was Intact With No Rust or Fractures

With the wheel checked, we moved under the vehicle to look at the rear suspension. The shock absorber was the first item. We were checking for oil weeping from the top of the unit or around the seal, which is one of the most common failure points on a shock absorber at this age. A leaking shock absorber does not just fail the MOT. It reduces the car's ability to keep the tyres in contact with the road surface, which becomes a real problem when you need to brake sharply or when the road surface is uneven. This one was dry throughout. No leaks, no staining, no sign of seepage. The suspension spring was also in good shape. We looked for corrosion and for any fractures along the coils. A broken spring can drop without much warning and in the worst case can puncture the tyre from the inside, so it is something we take seriously. This spring had no visible rust of concern and no breaks at any point along its length.

The X-Trail Passed Its MOT With No Advisories Raised on the Rear End or Elsewhere

The result was a clean pass. Nothing was flagged, nothing was noted as an advisory, and the owner drove away with a full MOT certificate. That outcome reflects how well the vehicle had been looked after going in. The tyres had clearly been checked and maintained, the brakes had not been left to wear down, and the suspension components were in the condition you would hope to see. It does not happen automatically. It happens because the owner had paid attention to the car.
If your own car is due for an MOT, or if you are noticing anything that concerns you before the test date arrives, there are a few things worth being aware of. If your tyres feel different from usual when braking or cornering, get the tread and pressures checked before the test. If you can hear any grinding or scraping from behind a wheel when you are moving, that could indicate a brake or bearing issue that will not resolve itself. If the car feels softer over bumps than it used to, or if you notice oil staining on the inside of a wheel, it is worth having the shock absorbers looked at before you book the MOT itself, because a failed test costs you another test fee on top of the repair.
We carry out MOT testing and vehicle inspections here in Walsall and we are happy to give your car a look before the test date if you want to know where you stand. You can book in with us at platinumvehicleservices.co.uk.

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.

Porsche Taycan MOT Completed in Walsall

A white Porsche Taycan came into us recently for its MOT. It is a fully electric vehicle, and the owner wanted to make sure it was tested properly by a garage that understands what an EV MOT actually involves. We are seeing more electric cars coming through our doors in Walsall, and this Taycan is a good example of the kind of vehicle we are set up to test and inspect correctly.

An Electric Vehicle MOT Covers More Than Most Drivers Realise

A lot of people assume that because an electric car has no engine in the traditional sense, the MOT must be simpler or shorter. That is not quite right. The MOT test for an electric vehicle like the Porsche Taycan covers the same core safety checks as any other car, including steering, suspension, brakes, tyres, lights, horn, and visibility. What changes is how some of those checks are carried out and what additional considerations apply to the high-voltage system.

With a vehicle like the Taycan, the braking system is particularly important to assess carefully. Because electric vehicles use regenerative braking, the physical brake pads and discs can sometimes see less use than on a petrol or diesel car. That sounds like a good thing, but it can actually mean the braking components corrode or seize up more quickly than they wear down. We check that the brakes are functioning correctly under load, that the pads have sufficient material remaining, and that the discs are not showing signs of surface corrosion that would affect stopping performance. On this Taycan, the brakes were in good order and gave us no concerns during testing.

The Tyres, Lights, and Suspension Were All Checked to the Same Standard as Any Other Vehicle

We went through the full checklist on this car. The tyre tread depth was measured across all four corners. The legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, and all four tyres on this Taycan were well above that. The condition of the sidewalls was also checked for any bulging, cracking, or damage that could cause a blowout at speed.

The lights were tested front and rear, including the daytime running lights and the rear fog lamp. The horn was checked. The windscreen was inspected for any chips or cracks in the driver's line of vision, which would be an automatic MOT failure if present within a 40mm zone directly ahead of the driver. The steering geometry and suspension components were assessed for play or wear that could affect handling. Everything on this vehicle came back satisfactory, and the Taycan passed its MOT with no advisories.

The Taycan Left with a Full Pass and the Owner Knows Their EV Is Road Legal and Safe

This car went through the full MOT process and passed outright. No advisories were recorded, which for a vehicle of this specification is exactly what you want to see. The owner can drive away knowing the car has been properly inspected by a garage that has the training and equipment to test electric vehicles to the required standard, not just petrol and diesel cars.

If you drive an electric vehicle in Walsall or anywhere across the West Midlands and your MOT is due, it is worth checking that the garage you book with is genuinely prepared for EV testing. Not every garage has the right training or equipment in place, particularly around the safety procedures required when working near high-voltage systems. At Platinum Vehicle Services we carry out MOTs on both traditional combustion engine vehicles and electric cars, and we treat both with the same level of care and attention.

If your EV is coming up for its MOT, there are a few things worth keeping an eye on in the meantime. Check your tyre pressures regularly, as electric vehicles tend to be heavier than equivalent petrol cars and tyres can wear differently as a result. Take note of any warning lights on the dashboard, particularly anything related to the battery management system. And if your car pulls to one side under braking or the pedal feels different from usual, get it looked at before your test rather than hoping it passes on the day.

To book your MOT or vehicle inspection with us in Walsall, visit us at platinumvehicleservices.co.uk.

Mercedes MOT Reveals Worn Suspension Component at Our Walsall Garage

We had a Mercedes in recently for its MOT. The car looked well kept and the owner had no particular complaints about how it was driving. That is something we hear fairly often. Suspension wear creeps up gradually and by the time it gets serious most drivers have simply adapted to it without realising.

A Clear Knock on the Shaker Plate and Visible Play in the Front Suspension That Could Not Be Ignored

When we put the car on the lift and worked through the MOT checks we found significant play in one of the front suspension components. The movement was not subtle. We demonstrated it by hand and you could hear a knock as the component moved. That knocking sound also showed up on the shaker plate test, which is exactly what that test is designed to catch. When we jacked the wheel and checked again the play was confirmed. There was no grey area. The car had a mechanical fault that needed sorting before it could go back on the road.

A Worn Ball Joint or Tie Rod End Feels Like a Knock at Low Speed and Becomes a Loss of Control at High Speed

Suspension components like ball joints and tie rod ends are what keep your wheel in the correct position while you are driving. They carry the load of the vehicle and allow the steering and suspension to move as they should. When there is excessive play in one of these parts that control is compromised. At low speeds you might notice a knock or a vague feeling through the steering. At higher speeds, or in an emergency where you need to brake and steer hard at the same time, a worn component can behave unpredictably. In the worst cases a ball joint that has been left long enough can fail altogether. At that point you lose control of the wheel entirely. It is not a risk worth taking and it is not something we would let leave the garage unaddressed.

Worn Component Replaced, Car Reinspected and MOT Completed Once the Repair Was Done

The worn component was replaced, the car was checked over properly, and the MOT inspection was completed once the repair had been carried out. There is no shortcut with something like this. The part needed changing so that is what we did. Once it was sorted the car was safe and the owner drove away knowing the issue had been dealt with correctly rather than just noted and passed over.

If your car is making a knocking noise over bumps or through corners, if the steering feels vague or pulls to one side, or if you have not had the suspension looked at in a while, it is worth getting it checked. These things do not always make themselves obvious until they are already well worn. We carry out MOT inspections and suspension checks for customers across Walsall and the wider West Midlands and are always happy to take a look. Bring it in and we will tell you exactly what we find. Book in at platinumvehicleservices.co.uk or come in and speak to us directly.