2,000 CABS TESTED

Evening Star, Issue 23369, 12 September 1939, Page 10

2,000 CABS TESTED

BIG PERCENTAGE OF REJECTS

FIRST THREE MONTHS AT TESTING STATION

Over 2,000 motor vehicles have been tested at the City Corporation testing station since it was opened on June 12. The tally, which is actually 2,280, refers to first inspections only, and does not cover those cars which were rejected and made to return for a second inspection, or the ones which underwent a chockover test. The latter test, it should be explained, is sought by motorists whose cars possess a warrant of fitness. Principally the reason for a checkover test is that the owner of the vehicle may be about to depart on a long trip and is desirous of being satisfied in his own mind that his car has not deteriorated since it was previously tested. Since the station opened there have been 34 checkover tests. Warrants hold good for six months. The number of cars retested is 730. The total number of warrants issued is 1,925. In the period under review three horse-drawn vehicles have also been tested, and, strangely, these were all in the 16 business days between June 12 and 30.

Reasons for rejection are many, and there have been occasions when cars have been doubly rejected, the work in bringing cars, up to the required standard not having been sufficiently satisfactory for the cars to pass the second test.

The principal faults have been defective foot and hand brakes, deficient bead, tail, and parking lights, faults in tbe_ steering and wheel alignment, king pins, and pin rods, and bearings, while lesser faults have included inefficient silencers, no windscreen wipers, no rear-vision, windows, and dangerous door fasteners.

June, although containing only 16 working days, was a busy month, 626 cars applying for first inspection. July returns went up only 60, but the month w r as exceedingly wet, and on tw'o or throe days, due to the heavy snowfall, no business at all was done, as it w'as impossible to get into the station. August w'as very busy, 968 cars applying for first inspection, and 458 for retests. September, so far, has been a little quieter, due to the threat of there being no petrol available for private cars. Figures for the three months are:—• June. July. Aug. First inspections 626 686 9GB Retests Vehicles rejected 359 314 488 Horse-drawn vehicles 3 Warrants issued ... 470 561 894 Checkover tests ' 9 9 16 These tests are compulsory under the traffic regulations. The time taken to test lull.v a-car is less than tw r o minutes, the up-to-date equipment installed pointing out defects in any part of the car automatically and instantly.