New to the UK need help with MOT questions!

[residentevol]

Greetings everyone!  I made an introduction post a while ago but I've just now finally arrived to the UK.  I'm a US citizen but I was living in Germany for the past 7 years.  I drive a bagged US spec Mk5 gti (this article shows it in its prime) http://www.juststance.com/exclusive/airforce-mkv/

It no longer has those wheels and has some more bodywork done, now sporting Rotiforms (borrrrriiing)

Anyway, before I moved here i put on euro LED tails but I realize now that everyone's tails have the rear fog on the drivers side (right).  Mine is on the opposite side!  Is that going to pass?  Also I have NO cat on my exhaust.  Is there a problem with that here?  Are there some garages that are more lax than others?  And are there any rules to having air suspension fitted to a car?

I'm in the Suffolk area, moving into Bury St Edmunds to be exact, anyone around that area on here?

Besides all of this i can't wait to get out and see some cool UK dubs!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - now Free

[Viking]

Rear fog light is required to be fitted wither central or to the offside (drivers side, right hand side when looking from the rear). If it's on the wrong side then it technically would be a fail, but it depends on the teater and how clued up/picky he is I guess.

Same with the catalytic converter. It should be fitted for an MOT test pass (visual inspection) and will technically fail if it's not there. Also your vehicle must pass the emissions test which it's unlikely to without the cat fitted. You may be able to find a garage who will overlook these things, but I can't for the life of me think why they would want to.

[OSB]

Just dropped a car off for an early MOT and spoke to the tester, who I know quite well.
Fog light on the wrong side will fail - if its spotted of course, but it is on the' tick sheet'.
They will test emissions and it will fail without  a cat.
You will most likely get away with a 'sports cat' if the car has been mapped to take it into account and you want to keep a bit more power. Otherwise you just have to get one fitted!
Not 100% sure whether you need a remap for a sports cat - others on here can advise.
As for air suspension, they will do all normal checks for security of fittings, wear etc etc. 

His advise was find somewhere to give you a Pre MOT check - then you really know what you have to do.

Hope that helps and good luck!

[Nodz]

Also the headlights beams need altering. If you've got xenons I think its a switch on the back of the headlights, if you have halogens then you need the lens converters or uk spec headlights.

As said above the fog light needs to be on the off side (passenger side for your car as its LHD). For this you would need to swap the lenses in the lights but also the wiring/lamp holders as they are also wired differently.

[residentevol]

Wow,

Incredibly generous with the information here.  Thank you!  While not exactly what I wanted to hear im not one to purposefully break any laws so I will get them all sorted.

For the rear lights I have no problem breaking into the lights and swapping the red/clear markers using this DIY http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,16607.0.html

I just have to find the pins in the front that correlate between the two lights and swap them (as opposed to running the wires across to each other)

For the exhaust I had planned on buying one anyway so this just forces my hand.

Going to be buying this one w/ the cat http://www.eurojetracing.com/exhausts/20t/20t-mk5-v-banded-gti-turboback-exhaust

My headlights I was aware of I'm going to be doing that immediately.  My tail lights have already been coded w/ vag-com and wiring to blink amber.

I hope everything else is good..

Thanks again!!!

[bacillus]

Have you considered getting in on the BCS Exhaust Group Buy on here that ends 31/03/2014. Excellent product and sounds 

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,79713.0.html

[residentevol]

Those group buy prices equate out to about 1500 USD for me.  The euro jet is several hundred cheaper than that for me!  Thanks for the idea though I appreciate all the help.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - now Free

[residentevol]

Also the headlights beams need altering. If you've got xenons I think its a switch on the back of the headlights, if you have halogens then you need the lens converters or uk spec headlights.

As said above the fog light needs to be on the off side (passenger side for your car as its LHD). For this you would need to swap the lenses in the lights but also the wiring/lamp holders as they are also wired differently.

Update on this info (not that it matters to any of you) but the US spec xenon lights DO NOT have that lever to switch from LHD to RHD.  I am in fact going to be forced to buy euro/uk spec bi-xenon headlamps for this car!!  That is not going to cheap!

Are there any reputable used parts stores/online or any good junkyards that you can recommend?  Finding a set of bi-xenons in a junkyard would probably be like finding gold but I gotta check!

[bacillus]

You could try this guy to see if there are still for sale.
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,80984.0.html

[residentevol]

sent him a message and we'll see.  450 pounds is steep especially converted to USD.  But I'll have to look around and see what I can find.

He's also about 3 1/2 hours from me and looks as if he doesn't want to send them by post.

[xjay1337]

450 is about the going rate unfortunately :/



Lovely car
sure you'll get it sorted. nothing too major :)

[residentevol]

Thanks Xjay,

The problem with the 450 for me is that I can (in accordance with the SOFA) purchase items on your economy VAT excluded.  So I may be able to purchase new OEM headlamps not far off of that price once the VAT is excluded.  I just need to find a place selling them online so I can see what the pricing is.

[xjay1337]

Phone up VW and enquire with them, that would be the best way to get up to date prices.
For the HEADLIGHTS ONLY without bulbs or ballasts I'd reckon £350 each.