Bowmonk
Test Procedure
1. Test the vehicle on reasonably level road.
2. The meter is set to zero by releasing the thumbnut, tilting the bowl in its
pivots until the main needle points to zero and re-tightening the
thumbnut.
3. The meter is now ready for use.
4. It is not necessary to watch the instrument continuously as it is fitted with
a recording needle.
5. Depending on the test to be performed the recording needle is positioned
to left or right of the main needle by turning the centre chrome knob, and
will accurately record the maximum deceleration/acceleration reading.
MOT Test of brakes
MOT Test of Brakes (1)
Efficiency and balance of brakes is usually checked on a roller brake tester. In
certain cases where a roller brake tester may not be used (for example on
certain 4-wheel drive vehicles) it may be necessary to check brake efficiency and
balance on a road test, with a portable decelerometer (pictured below).
MOT Brake Test G-meter
A decelerometer will be placed in the vehicle while the Tester conducts a road
test to check brake efficiency (The instrument would normally be placed on the
floor of the vehicle during the Test).
Inside the car
Anti-lock braking system (if fitted) warning lamp is checked for:
function
sequence of operation
Footbrake
A fail applies if:
there’s insufficient reserve travel on the footbrake(ie, it touches the floor)
the brake pedal rubber is excessively worn*
incorrect operation of the servo assistance system
unacceptable wear on the brake pedal pivot
Vehicle type Efficiency
requirement
M1 vehicles having a service brake operating on at least 4 wheels
and which were first used:
- on or after 1 September 2010 58%
Vehicle type Efficiency
requirement
- before 1 September 2010 50%
N1 vehicles 50%
M2 and M3 vehicles having a service brake operating on at least 4
wheels which were first used:
- on or after 1 January 1968 50%
- before 1 January 1968 45%
L2 and L6 vehicles with a single service brake control that operates 40%
the brakes on all wheels
L5 vehicles with a single service brake control that operates the
brakes on all wheels which were first used:
- on or after 1 January 1968 50%
- before 1 January 1968 40%
L7 vehicles with a single service brake control that operates the 50%
brakes on all wheels
Vehicle type Efficiency
requirement
Vehicles first used before 1 January 1968 which do NOT have one
means of control operating on at least 4 wheels and which have one 30% from 1st
brake system with two means of control or two brake systems with means of control
separate means of control 25% from 2nd
means of control
Any L category vehicle with two service brake systems each having
a separate means of operation 30% from 1st
means of control
25% from 2nd
means of control
Vehicles first used before 1 January 1915 only require one efficient No specific
braking system requirement
Brake Fluid tester
Hydraulic brake fluid level checks are confined to transparent
reservoirs, reservoir caps should not be removed. On many vehicles,
you will not be able to see if the brake fluid is contaminated. You
should only fail a vehicle if you can clearly see that the fluid is
contaminated.
