Testing Times

 


Finally, after a long period of slow activity on the Twingo, it has finally passed it's first UK MOT.

In the last blog, an inspection revealed that the front strut tops were badly worn; and that there were 2-3 areas of rust that required plating to pass an MOT. Strut tops came via Auto Doc within 2 weeks but it took a while to find a suitable time to get the car into the workshop at my employers; so they could be changed. 

With that sorted I had to get VIN insurance arranged so that I could drive the car on the road to it's prebooked MOT test. That proved difficult with several leading classic car insurers wanting silly money for cover, or were being at best extremely rude. One citing over the phone that "it's not a modern classic". Funny that, because numerous classic car publications cite the 1st generation Twingo as being exactly that. Finally cover was arranged and a test was booked with a sympathetic MOT station in North Bristol. Cleevewood Garage specialise in the sale and repair of classic and sports cars, and were helpful in arranging the test on just the VIN plate details. 

Not surprisingly, it failed on areas requiring welding as I already knew it would, the garage kept the car and had been working on it bit by bit over the last few weeks around other jobs before submitting it for a retest on Wednesday 6th May which it passed. Thanks to Cleevewood for their help (and patience) with this one. 

A few minor advisories were also recorded; jobs to do over the winter as time permits. Happily the headlights passed with the use of the beam deflectors that I purchased from Eurolites. 

Back at my employers site after a fresh MOT test pass. A useful reference picture if you need to fit Eurolite beam deflectors; as the supplied instructions didn't feature the 1st generation Twingo. 

Driving the Twingo to the MOT was the first real experience I've had of the car, it was a very enjoyable drive and I am looking forward to getting out on the road proper. There are a few events hopefully now taking place despite the ongoing Covid situation and hopefully they will still go ahead, and the car will make it.

The next step is to send off the V55 form to apply for a UK registration number, the paperwork is complete and a cheque has gone in the post to the DVLA this week. Hopefully the V5C won't take long and I can get a set of number plates made. 

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