Alan France, Route66 - Shows & Events Coordinator

Looks like Marlow Brewery, great place.

Was there tree fellas in the car or only the driver.

Well done.

My wife won 2 BA business class tickets to anywhere in their European network. They had to work hard to convince us it wasn’t a scam. In the end we had a nice weekend in Russia, on the basis that was almost the furthest their European network stretched. Small change to all those millions of $$$$$$. The ZA extension is South Africa.

Two good letters in a newspaper yesterday. SIR – Alexa, is this a good deal? SIR – The next Brexit Secretary should be someone with a background in quantum physics. Such a person would have the skills to deliver the necessary Irish border which is both there and not there at the same time. Nothing to add.

Bad news, I rented a Transit based car transporter for my trip to Bristol. About £90.

I filed off the edges and pointer out that fact to the testers. They said all ok.

Rubber edge would be the easiest, I made my own covers from 2mm plastic. IVA did check my fluid cap.

Well done Simon, onwards and upwards.

I believe Bristol can only calibrate if the speed sensor is on the rear wheels like mine. I used the standard Koso sensor and made a bracket for the rear, rather than the front based one Westfield use. Sounds good with your rear light recess. I'm just 5' 7" and the drivers mirror is ok for me. Well done for hitting 70 miles, mine had only done 4 miles when I reached the MOT station. Nothing wrong with the Granite City Gary, had some good times there, but it's a 1,032 mile round trip for me.

Sorry forgot to add my drivers side mirror was only just OK but they were happy. They do cover up the windscreen washer outlet to see if the pipes blow off so use small cable ties on the pipes.

I was offered Southampton and Bristol and went for Bristol. I rented a transporter for the 200 mile round trip. The inspectors (one trainee) were very helpful, made my wife and I a nice coffee, and it passed. I took tools, cable ties, bolts, washer and fuses but didn't bother with a trolley jack. I have a Koso speedo and they allowed me to calibrate it on the rolling road, (it was miles out) but I have a rear mounted speed sensor, so yes, take all your certificates and paperwork. (Even your cycling proficiency!) They didn't like the standard FW rear light recess, saying it failed the 8% rule, being too far set into the bodywork but they allowed me to pack them out with washers during the test to get the pass. (I don't believe others have had this so it may have been because the trainee had just spent two weeks reading the manual.) It's best not to use the phrase "for IVA" during conversation, which implies some of the IVA items may fall off after the test. They wish to feel they are testing a car in finished/final condition. I think it also helps to talk to them in a way that shows you have read the IVA guide. I had no problems with the rear brakes locking up, which has been a problem for some. I made an appointment with my nearest MOT station for a pre MOT just before the IVA. I found that really helpful and the potholes around here at least gave the car a good shake up. The jury is out as to the legality of driving to a pre MOT for a non registered car as one is not legally required. I pre booked, and arranged full cover with my insurance company, their message was you are OK to drive there, but not back if it fails! I found the emissions test and rolling road during the IVA difficult to watch/listen to on a brand new engine. I was the guinea pig for new kit they had. They placed a magnetic sensor on the engine block to provide them with an independent RPM value for the emissions test, rather than use my rev counter. As other have said I think their first 10 minutes walk around is very important, so think about kerb appeal. Good luck.

I did a Land Rover experience years ago in an old quarry. From Range Rover to series 1. The series 1 made the course in style, whilst others struggled, it can’t have just have been down to the thin tyres can it? It definitely wasn’t my off road driving skills.

I also think solder and heat shrink is better but caution is needed to make sure the soldered element has no movement.

I went much lower in price with the Koso RX-2N+ 10K at around £200. I can do tacky and like the way the rev counter segments light up, and the big, multi colour, change gear lamp. I ignored the warning lamps on the Koso, blanked them off and used black LED lamps. Basic but does the job, my mistake was going for three blacked out gauges which look good when off but when lit the bright white dials make the red needle difficult to see. I think they'll have to go over the winter.