My XM didn't pass the MOT

[Christian S]

I had to take my XM to MOT today.

Otherwise I wasn't allowed to drive it a meter except from to and from workshop and MOT.

Well, at the MOT the inspector took his hammer and nocked on the undercarriage.

Just at the front subframe under all hydraulic pipes, the hammer went through the subframe.

Rust! Rust!! Rust!

And a tiny small brake pipe in left wheel house was corroded and the control lamp for Airbag didn't light up.

The last two errors are more easy to fix.

But how about the subframe?

He didn't pass the whole subframe. What to do? Try to weld the rust hole, clean the rest of the subframe from rust and soak it with dinitrol or something?

Or is it a better idea to try to find a used subframe and replace it?

I can understand why it's so corroded. It stood outdoor in a garden for almost a year or a year and a half.

[CitroJim]

In the UK at least, subframe welding is a bit of a difficulty... Here it is, as I understand, not permitted to weld a rusty subframe that's been the cause of an MOT failure but if the subframe is replaced with one that has been welded in the past or if the welded repair is made for reasons other than an MOT fail then all is OK... That's how I understand it anyway so in your neck of the woods it might be worth checking your MOT regulations..

Where exactly has it gone? Have you any picture you can post up? It'lll then gibe a better idea of how easily a repair might be carried out or indeed if it is feasible to carry out a repair...

[waynedance]

I am to understand the air bag light not coming on is not a fail only an advisory, work at mot station.

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[Hell Razor5543]

I am to understand the air bag light not coming on is not a fail only an advisory, work at mot station.

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As the OP is from Sweden their MoT equivalent might have different requirements than to the UK.

[Christian S]

The airbag lamp must light up at self check. It's the same with ABS and side airbags.

It's allowed what I know to weld the subframe. I think it's a major job to change the whole subframe. The powertrain must be taken away, doesn't it?

[CitroJim]

Yes, changing the subframe is a big job... http://www.club-xm.co.uk may be able to explain what is involved in subframe replacement.. XMs in the UK suffer rust in the subframes very badly...

[Ben82]

I would say give them a call, if it's Opus: 0775-500 300, or Bilprovningen: 0771-600 600 (there is another but the name escapes me). They'll be able to give you the most definitive answer on what will pass the re-test.

Wayne, unfortunately as I've found out, in Sweden, any advisories become required fixes for the retest upon a failure (as advisories in Sweden should be sorted within a reasonable amount of time, so they get earmarked for re-testing at the retest).

[waynedance]

Did not see he is not from UK…. Doh

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[Deanxm]

Subframe swap is a reasonable job but much less involved than engine removal for sure, in my head I'm counting 18 bolts and some piping to be unlipped, swap the steering rack over, height corrector, arb, Hydractive hydraulics and electrics and slide the new one back in, its no 5 minute job but its not the end of the world either.
Pictures would help, has it rusted along the front cross member or on the lower face inboard of the wishbone bushes?.

D

[Christian S]

Hello!

Here are pictures taken yesterday
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=A ... der%2cjpeg

[Peter.N.]

I thought XM's lasted forever, sadly my last one went some months ago, rusted around the windscreen aperture. I would like to have had it repaired but it wasn't economically viable.

Peter