Vehicle testing

Press, 23 May 1977, Page 16

Vehicle testing

Sir, — Last week I took my car to the Sockburn Vehicle Testing Station for a warrant of fitness and found that my right front door had some vertical movement in the hinges. This promptly failed my vehicle. I have taken this car through the same testing station three times now and on each occasion my front door should have caused failure of. the test. This incident, along with others I have heard of. indicates that there is considerable incon« sistency in the testing procedure and among those carrying out the test. I would have thought that the function of the testing station was to have the same safety standard for all vehicles. — Yours, etc., D. T. POCKNALL. May 10, 1977.

[The supervisor of the Sockbum Vehicle Testing Station (Mr A. M. Findlay), replies: “I am not aware of all the details concerning Mr Pocknall’s complaint, as it was not referred to me at the time the vehicle was rejected at the testing station. This is unfortunate, as it would have' enabled an immediate assessment of the problem giving rise to the complaint. I would comment, however, that it is quite possible that the door hinge of a car would wear sufficiently over a period of 18 months (that covered by 3 warrants of fitness) for it to require rejection. In this regard. car hinges wear differently according to various makes and models. Finally, I would point out that door hinges are checked manually during inspections, as required by. the Regulations,”] ...