Will It Fail An MOT

[quelquod]

My BMW 5 will soon be due its MoT and it has a warning message on the display that the ‘Emergency Call System is Unavailable’. Will that fail an MoT? It’s a safety-related issue but I don’t think it’s one covered by the test (I’m pretty sure its backup battery has failed but I can’t be bothered replacing it while it’s so chilly outside as it’s an awkward job) but the message is permanent and prevents any other message displaying.

[Dod101]

My BMW 5 will soon be due its MoT and it has a warning message on the display that the ‘Emergency Call System is Unavailable’. Will that fail an MoT? It’s a safety-related issue but I don’t think it’s one covered by the test (I’m pretty sure its backup battery has failed but I can’t be bothered replacing it while it’s so chilly outside as it’s an awkward job) but the message is permanent and prevents any other message displaying.

I do not know but it hardly falls into the category of being a roadworthy matter. Be interesting to know though.

Dod

[9873210]

My BMW 5 will soon be due its MoT and it has a warning message on the display that the ‘Emergency Call System is Unavailable’. Will that fail an MoT? It’s a safety-related issue but I don’t think it’s one covered by the test (I’m pretty sure its backup battery has failed but I can’t be bothered replacing it while it’s so chilly outside as it’s an awkward job) but the message is permanent and prevents any other message displaying.

That would require monumental incompetence from BMW. Handling multiple error messages at the same time has been standard in many industries for decades. IMHO failure to do this should not only result in an MOT failure, but withdrawal of the type certificate and possibly prison sentences.

You could test this by letting the air out of one of your tyres. Which should draw a higher priority error (that is easily fixed, albeit a bit of a pain in the cold)

[bungeejumper]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/top ... &t=1961895

The general consensus is that the SOS battery is the most likely cause. But a bit of a pig to replace, best left to a dealer.

BJ

[Dod101]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=72&t=1961895

The general consensus is that the SOS battery is the most likely cause. But a bit of a pig to replace, best left to a dealer.

BJ

Ah but the question is 'Will it cause a fail in the MOT?'

Dod

[BullDog]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=72&t=1961895

The general consensus is that the SOS battery is the most likely cause. But a bit of a pig to replace, best left to a dealer.

BJ

Ah but the question is 'Will it cause a fail in the MOT?'

Dod

If the OP has a local MoT station they regularly use, call and ask? They're bound to have seen it before and in the case of the place I use, they would happily give you a price to replace the battery before the MoT test.

[monabri]

There are a couple of YouTube videos on how to replace telemetrics battery in BMWs. In the two I've seen, the unit is mounted in the roof...behind the roof lining, in the rear section of the roof. Replacing the battery ( £65 cost for the battery was mentioned in one video) with around 40mins labour time. I note the ridiculously short battery life...a couple of years.

It's a DIY job - bit a palaver!

Alternatively, if it an mot failure, the replacement costs are going to be £ and labour time as above.

[DrFfybes]

That would require monumental incompetence from BMW. Handling multiple error messages at the same time has been standard in many industries for decades. IMHO failure to do this should not only result in an MOT failure, but withdrawal of the type certificate and possibly prison sentences.

I agree - on al the cars I've driven with error message displays there is a button to clear it, and the message reappears at next startup.

As it is a warning message and not a warning light, I do not think it is an MOT failure. Having low (but not flat) tyre pressures doesn't fail the MOT, so why should this?

The MOT manual is notoriously behind the curve - Amber Check Engine Lights were not a fail until a couple of years ago, I'm pretty sure Daytime Running Lights aren''t covered yet, and similarly IIRC the test manual only mentions warning lights and not supplementary messages.

Paul

[swill453]

I agree - on al the cars I've driven with error message displays there is a button to clear it, and the message reappears at next startup.

As it is a warning message and not a warning light, I do not think it is an MOT failure. Having low (but not flat) tyre pressures doesn't fail the MOT, so why should this?

The MOT manual is notoriously behind the curve - Amber Check Engine Lights were not a fail until a couple of years ago, I'm pretty sure Daytime Running Lights aren''t covered yet, and similarly IIRC the test manual only mentions warning lights and not supplementary messages.

Last time this came up I found a relevant site:

It seems only certain dashboard lights cause a fail:
- airbag
- anti lock braking system
- stability control
- electronic braking system
- tyre pressure warning
- exhaust emission warning

Note the test also checks their operation (black tape no good!)

https://www.motester.co.uk/mot-test-of- ... ent-panel/

As DrFfybes says, it doesn't cover messages at all.

Scott.

[MonsterMork]

warning message on the display that the ‘Emergency Call System is Unavailable’. Will that fail an MoT? ....... the message is permanent and prevents any other message displaying.

Nope, not an MoT fail.

There should be some way of clearing the message, presumably from one of the steering wheel controls?

MoTTesterMork

[DrFfybes]

Nope, not an MoT fail.

There should be some way of clearing the message, presumably from one of the steering wheel controls?

MoTTesterMork

Of course this information will be in the manual, but as this is a BMW it will probably be halway down page 278, in between "How to switch the headlights on manually when it is foggy" and "Indicators". Or quite possibly in the rare supplemental manual for "non M badged cars".



Paul

[Dod101]

Actually I would want to get it fixed anyway if it was my car, or somehow disable it. It would drive me round the bend.

Dod

[monabri]

Is the Emergency Call System a paid for item with the first 3 years " free" ( well, prepaid!)?

Maybe an alternative route to getting rid of the message.... hooking up a diagnostics computer and software and deleting the coding that calls up the error code . This could be done at BMW or by a specialist garage.

https://youtu.be/vGx7SI2Coaw

(I offer no debate on whether this should be done or not, other than to point out the change is by software mod that could readily be changed back if required. Of course, in an emergency it would be deactivated...but it isn't working now anyway!).

[quelquod]

Nope, not an MoT fail.

There should be some way of clearing the message, presumably from one of the steering wheel controls?

MoTTesterMork

That’s fine MM, all I wanted to know thanks.

No way that I’ve found to clear the message with any of the twiddly bits, it certainly prevents the cold weather warning showing for more than a moment but I don’t know if an alarm as opposed to an information message would override it.

I can replace the battery myself or in extremis code out the battery test but as I said it’s far too cold just now for faffing around in the car for an hour at my age and I’m blessed if I’ll pay for someone to do it if I don’t have to.

[DrFfybes]

What year 5 series is it?

Many cars have a button on the end of one of the stalks that cycles through the disply modes, and holding it in for a few seconds should clear the warning.

Paul

[quelquod]

What year 5 series is it?

Many cars have a button on the end of one of the stalks that cycles through the disply modes, and holding it in for a few seconds should clear the warning.

Paul

2021 manufactured 11/20. 2 buttons on the LH stalk - 1 for the auto headlights, 1 to (as you say) cycle through the mileage/economy (?) display options. I've not experimented with that one, usually leave it as is, so I'll have a check tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder.

[quelquod]

In the event I just took it for the MoT and passed with no advisories though the tester was a bit miffed that he couldn’t see the mileage because of the warning message. It’s started coming and going a bit depending on the temperature but I’ll wait for warmer weather to sort it.

[Gaggsy]

2021 manufactured 11/20

MoT's are due after 3 years. Why are you getting one on a car that's only 2 years & 2 months old?

[quelquod]

2021 manufactured 11/20

MoT's are due after 3 years. Why are you getting one on a car that's only 2 years & 2 months old?

Oh yes - wrong car - it's 2019, manufactured 2018. Coming from where I do I'd not be shelling out early (well just a month in this case in case there's a problem).