Mot a non-starting car

Mot a non-starting car

Hi.
I have a car that needs a new starter motor and can only be bump started. I want to see if it will go through an mot before I spend out on the starter motor. My question is – can it be mot ed only being able to be bump started?
Thanks in advance

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :

It’s very unlikely that your vehicle will pass a MOT inspection if it needs to be bump started. Having to rely on bump starting your car to get it running isn’t really considered safe, so it’s doubtful they will allow it to pass in that condition. I would suggest having the starter replaced by a qualified technician first, because even if you decide to sell the car, it will be worth much more in starting condition than not.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

If your vehicle won`t start, it`s usually caused by a dying or dead battery, loose or corroded connection cables, a bad alternator or an issue with the starter. It can be hard to determine if you`re dealing with a battery or an alternator problem.

The easiest way to check the starter on the vehicle is to use jumper cables to bypass the vehicle`s electrical system. With the ignition turned off and the transmission in “park” — and with all due care — connect one end of the red/positive jumper cable to the positive terminal of the battery.

Connect the remote starter switch to the battery positive and the solenoid (smaller wire) terminal on the starter and click the switch. If nothing happens, you`ve got a bad starter. If the starter turns, the problem is in the electrical system.

Check the motor starter leads for a phase-to-phase or a phase-to-ground short. If either of these two problems exists, check the motor lead wiring. If the motor starter leads are clear, move on to the motor. With the motor still disconnected, check the motor leads for a phase-to-phase or a phase-to-ground short.

Some other typical reasons engines fail to start include:

Low or discharged battery. Corroded or loose battery cables. Starter motor relay failure. Ignition switch failure.

Common Signs of a Bad Starter

The engine won`t turn over. The most common signal that your starter has a problem is if nothing happens when you turn the key or push to start. Unusual noises, such as clinking, grinding and whirring. If you ignore these sounds, it can eventually lead to damage to the engine flywheel.

Average car starter lifespan

A car starter can give you around 80,000 starts before you should expect it to struggle, regardless of the mileage you drive. This is around 150,000 miles for some cars, while some starters can last the vehicle`s life.

2) Initial Checks

Step 1: Fully charge the battery, then perform a load test. Step 2: If the load test fails, begin checking each battery individually. If you have a bad one, replace it. Step 4: Once all batteries are tested, perform a voltage drop test on the starter main cables.

The best way to test a starter is with a multimeter. This device allows you to measure resistance, current, and voltage in order to troubleshoot electrical components. Before testing the starter, make sure the battery is fully charged and all connections are clean and secure.

Winding insulation breakdown and bearing wear are the two most common causes of motor failure, but those conditions arise for many different reasons.

The reading should be between 0.3 to 2 ohms. If it is 0, there is a short. If it is over 2 ohms or infinite, there is an open. You can also dry the connector and retest to possibly get more accurate results.

In addition to a spark provided by the battery, and oxygen provided by the air around us, fuel is needed in the engine to get it running.

When your engine cranks but won`t start or run, it could mean your engine is having trouble producing a spark, getting fuel, or creating compression. The most common causes are problems in the ignition (for example, a bad ignition coil) or fuel system (for example, a clogged fuel filter).

Broken or Damaged Ignition

If your headlights can turn on, but your car won`t crank, that means that your battery is charged, but either the starter or ignition is the problem. If the starter or ignition is the problem, a starter engine can be jumped by using a charged battery.

Broken or Damaged Ignition

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

I put the wrong key in my car and a few weeks later my car just shut down and it will not start I believe it’s the computer but…

ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you

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Replaced alternator on car 2 times each time shows it’s charging 14v let car run for a little bit then test drive and car voltage

ANSWER : There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.

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Power steering loss, no belts are turning but the car is running fine. I also have a soft pedal. Whats wrong with my car?

ANSWER : I have only seen this situation once in my 30+ years and it turned out to be a broken crankshaft pulley. Belts are driven by the engine. The crankshaft pulley spins the belts, which in turn spin the air conditioner compressor, power steering and water pumps, and the alternator. The vehicle should be towed to your local repair shop and not driven. Without the water pump spinning to circulate the coolant, the engine will quickly overheat and result in more extensive damage.

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Should I buy this car for $1700

ANSWER : Prior to buying any car, drive the car around and listen for any noises. Then do an inspection on the vehicle to make sure that it is safe to drive. All cars will need maintenance, but if the car was kept up, then the maintenance should be to a minimum.

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Battery and oil light come on when trying to start car, take keys out try again car starts no problem and lights go away

ANSWER : Of course, don’t switch gears without being fully stopped, unless your Owner’s Manual or the manufacturer has alternative advice. However, the gear shift issue has no relation to the no-start problem you are describing. Inasmuch as you only have 6,000 miles on the car, the "constant on and off" that you believe has occurred is meaningless in comparison to the expected total vehicle service life. That is, assume what you perceive as "constant on and off", during merely 6,000 miles, might be equivalent to using the car "normally" for three years. A new car should be trouble free for at least 5 years, unless there is a defect, so your "constant on and off" is not a causal factor for any fault on the vehicle. What you might have is a defect in the ignition switch, or perhaps the immobilizer system, but if the problem is not in the switch itself, clearly there is an electrical problem.

If your vehicle is under warranty, by law the dealer MUST repair the issue you are describing within a prescribed time frame and number of "attempts", otherwise the dealer will run afoul of Federal and state Lemon Laws that give you very specific rights, and recourse (contact an Attorney; we are Mechanics, NOT attorneys). Consequently, if the vehicle is still under warranty, to save yourself money do be sure to seek a resolution from the dealer. If the vehicle is not under warranty, obviously a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic could identify the electrical fault and resolve this for you. If you want to go that route, please simply request a no start diagnostic -electrical system and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

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Oil leaking from under car and "remote control car" sound when car is first started for a few minutes until it warm up.

ANSWER : Hello,
There are a number of things that could make an engine noisy when starting up. Depending on the specific type of sound you are referring to, this will determine how to properly diagnose. If there is a bit of a hissing sound, this may be a sign of a vacuum leak. If this is more of a shrieking sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or out of adjustment serpentine belt. If there is a bit of a howling or growling sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or low on fluid power steering pump. A rattling or pinging sound may be caused by an ignition problem. An engine can ping (or knock) due to an improper combustion process. A "spark knock" is the result of combustion occurring too early. Early combustion can occur from carbon buildup inside the combustion chamber, a lean air/fuel mixture, and advanced ignition timing (spark plug firing too soon). A clattering type sound may be a result of improper lubrication in the valve train which could be a more serious problem and should be addressed as soon as possible. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle to ensure everything is in proper working order.

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My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and

ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

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Car crash and SRS light

ANSWER : Hey there. It is likely that your front impact sensor was damaged during the frontal collision but not with enough force to deploy the air bags. There is a threshold for how hard a vehicle must be hit in order to deploy the airbags that is set by the manufacturer that may not have been met. When the SRS light is illuminated, this means that the air bags will not deploy in the event of an accident, even if it is hit hard enough. I would recommend having the frontal collision sensor inspected and replaced if necessary by the dealer or a professional who is proficient in air bag repair.

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