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PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 4:34 pm 
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Sounds like the cars must have been on the ramps rather than just roadside checks, but not entirely clear :?

But which may explain why most of them require retesting. And, as per usual, maybe they targetted dodgy looking cars for the tests, which may mean the failure rate was higher than would have been the case for the whole trade [-(


Unsafe taxis taken off the road as inspectors uncover serious defects

https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/ne ... rs-6291678

One cab that was pulled over was being driven round with a nail in its tyre

A late-night taxi operation has seen cabs taken off the road for safety concerns in the run up to festive celebrations.

The first taxi had one defect in that its break pads worn below the legal limit.

However, the second taxi had four - a tyre out of shape; a nail in a tyre which, was worn close to the legal limit; its anti-roll bar link arm (part of suspension) worn excessively; and its rear spring arm control bush (also part of the suspension) excessively worn.

Licensing officers from North West Leicestershire District Council, with the support of Leicestershire Police, carried out spot checks on 11 private hire and hackney cabs across Ashby and Coalville over the weekend to ensure vehicles are safe.

The night-time operation saw officers complete rigorous tests, like an MOT, on the taxis to make sure they are roadworthy and keep passengers safe.

The operation resulted in three with no defects, one advisory and seven in need of retesting, including the two with serious safety concerns.

The licensing plates have been temporarily removed from the taxis with serious safety defects while they are made safe. Once defects are repaired a total of seven taxis will be retested to ensure they are road legal.

The operation was completed in addition to regular vehicle checks; taxis up to six years old are annually inspected by the licensing team, while older vehicles are tested every six months to ensure they are safe.

The spot-check event was the first completed by the North West Leicestershire Safety Partnership since 2019, although officers have continued to maintain strict safety standards through regular testing.

Councillor Andrew Woodman, chairman of the Safety Partnership, said: “When you’re planning a night out or party you want to know that the taxi you’re using is safe and roadworthy.

“The majority of the vehicles inspected during the operation were in great condition or had minor defects, but it’s reassuring to know the two with serious safety concerns have been taken off the road so the drivers can bring them back up to standard.

“We take public safety seriously and this operation in the run up to Christmas is on top of our regular taxi testing programme.”


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 4:34 pm 
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Quote:
One cab that was pulled over was being driven round with a nail in its tyre

Wonder how many cars in the UK have a nail in a tyre?

If you told me one million or more I wouldn't be at all surprised :-o


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 5:04 pm 
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Anyone know what the “legal limit” is for break (sic) pads?

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PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 7:12 pm 
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1.5mm, I think, but I've always wondered how they actually measure it.

But kudos for spotting the break/brake clanger, Jimbo.

One of the most common misspellings in motoring-related articles, but I missed that one.


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 7:33 pm 
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Pretty sure that it’s a pass/fail on braking efficiency, there is no minimum depth/ amount of wear.
My garage will change break (sic) pads if they are unlikely to last until the next service.

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PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 7:41 pm 
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According to the MoT manual, pads less that 1.5mm thick are a 'dangerous' failure:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspect ... ion-1-1-13

Lots of online sources suggest they should be replaced when they're less than 3mm thick.


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 10:25 pm 
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StuartW wrote:
According to the MoT manual, pads less that 1.5mm thick are a 'dangerous' failure:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspect ... ion-1-1-13

Lots of online sources suggest they should be replaced when they're less than 3mm thick.


But no legal limit, as opposed to tyres which have a legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 inches.

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PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 11:01 pm 
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Quote:
One cab that was pulled over was being driven round with a nail in its tyre

Shock horror.

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 10:32 am 
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jimbo wrote:
But no legal limit, as opposed to tyres which have a legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 inches.

tractor tyres maybe but i use car tyres which are 1.6mm

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 2:45 pm 
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edders23 wrote:
tractor tyres maybe but i use car tyres which are 1.6mm
:lol:

Or maybe the tracks on the Norwich tank taxi have a depth of 1.6 inches 8)


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 2:47 pm 
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Jimbo wrote:
But no legal limit, as opposed to tyres which have a legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 inches.

Well maybe it's not a specific offence in the way that tyres are, but I suppose that if it consitutes a serious MoT failure then to that extent it's reasonable to describe it as illegal.

And maybe to that degree the vehicle could be deemed unroadworthy in the event of an accident, say, but can't pretend to be an expert on road traffic law and suchlike :?


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 5:56 pm 
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StuartW wrote:
edders23 wrote:
tractor tyres maybe but i use car tyres which are 1.6mm
:lol:

Or maybe the tracks on the Norwich tank taxi have a depth of 1.6 inches 8)


My fishing expedition trawled in the two usual suspects. Deliberate mistake. :lol:

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PostPosted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 9:03 pm 
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jimbo wrote:
StuartW wrote:
edders23 wrote:
tractor tyres maybe but i use car tyres which are 1.6mm
:lol:

Or maybe the tracks on the Norwich tank taxi have a depth of 1.6 inches 8)


My fishing expedition trawled in the two usual suspects. Deliberate mistake. :lol:



more likely your brain forgot we went from Imp erial to metric

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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 8:34 am 
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edders23 wrote:
jimbo wrote:
StuartW wrote:
edders23 wrote:
tractor tyres maybe but i use car tyres which are 1.6mm
:lol:

Or maybe the tracks on the Norwich tank taxi have a depth of 1.6 inches 8)


My fishing expedition trawled in the two usual suspects. Deliberate mistake. :lol:



more likely your brain forgot we went from Imp erial to metric


Nope. It was a pedant trap, and you fell into it.

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PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 3:39 pm 
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Jimbo, the difference between 1.5mm and over 40mm isn't a pedant trap, it's a chasm :D

But we'll both assume your mistake was deliberate. As opposed to 99% of people, who would think you dropped a clanger :lol:


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