MOT advisory - " Rear anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened"

Technical Area Routine Servicing
2

 Just passed MOT with above advisory.

 '52  1.8  48000 miles

 

What does this mean? Where is the roll bar?. How bad is this?

3

This is nothing to worry about. Testers are now supposed to advise for surface rust even if the item is still perfectly sound. Hence the ‘but not seriously weakened…’.

Whenever it gets to the point that it’s a problem, it will be a fail…but that could be donkeys’ years.

4

Its the white bar above. Certainly not serious and as Jon says, probably just surface rust under flaking paint.

Very unlikely to actually rust through and break and you probably wouldn’t notice if it did.

If that’s the only rust advisory on your car then you’ve got a cracker!

5

 cheers  guys

 

Whats the purpose of that little bar?. Doesn’t look like it’ll do much good. 

6

When the car starts to lean in a corner, it stiffens the suspension slightly to reduce body roll (as the name suggests).  It’;s the only thing that links both sides together as the suspension is otherwise independent.  You can see how it works if you have a good look at how it’s connected.

Many basic cars don’t even have them.

7

Out of interest where did you get the cat MOT’d?

8

 Dare I say…

Kwik fit.  Have used them several times for MOT & oil change.

Never a problem or un-necessary work

9

It’s not a big deal to strip the roll bar off, sand it down and give it a coat of rust killer, then refit. You could also replace the bushes at the same time. Basically the job it does is in the name, it reduces the amount of body roll in the car when cornering by shifting weight transfer to the outside wheel and so helps to keep both wheels firmly on the ground. I suspect you would notice if it broke and while I agree it’s probably not in any danger of doing so if you plan to keep the car I would give it a bit of attention now rather than have to replace later.

10

 I agree 100% with the above.  This is yet another example of MOT testers covering their back, to quote the polite version!   Surface corrosion is irrelevant, deep penetrating corrosion is serious.  MOT testers are being instructed to treat any corrosion/rusting as ‘could be serious’.   In the present day litigation mad society in which myself and many others have the misfortune to live and suffer from,  it is an inevitable consequence of previous legal experience.  It does, however, create a nasty side effect, insurance companies will seek out any excuse not to pay out in the event of an accident, even the slightest doubt will set their miserable alarm bells ringing.  Perhaps some photographs would help, then sand down and waxoyl or repaint, simply to establish you have taken the advisory seriously,  to prove what a thoroughly decent fellow you are.   I very much doubt it needs any action at all, just my bettter be safe than sorry mentality.

Regards  Geoff Peace.