Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Advice to check your own vehicle engine number (If you can find it!) with the log book number.
Whilst at the MOT centre on monday, i wondered why there was a problem with car owned by a young british lad ,he told me he was just fined over a 1000tl and points on his license, he had bought the car one month ago, and like the rest of us never noticed that the engine had been changed, the garage has offered to pay his fine (Oh really).

Anyway, it will be worth a look see for the engine number.

Yeah crazy isnt it! doesn't matter if you have no horn, the lights don't work and the brakes are dodgy - but if the engine number does not match the log book the brown stuff hits the fan!

Ipman,It's no different to other parts of the world.If you were stopped by the police and the engine number didn't match the engine number on the log book or with the DVLA without explanation you would probably find yourself being arrested and detained until the situation was sorted out.

Not sure its part of an MOT test anywhere else tho!

Ipman, Probably right but it should be.How many cars in other countries are running round with stolen engines from other vehicles.
Also would help with cloned cars.
If the MOT stations checked the chassis number and engine numbers as a matter of course it would help.
The difference in the TRNC is there doesn't appear to be a problem with stolen vehicles,Although there does appear to be a problem with cut & shut vehicles.

There's a huge difference between having a replacement engine fitted and a car being a 'cut & shut'!

Grockle wrote:There's a huge difference between having a replacement engine fitted and a car being a 'cut & shut'!

...and that's why they are so strict about the proper procedure being followed for engine replacements - any discrepancy is promptly flagged as a potential 'cut-and-shut' - geddit?

I had a replacement engine fitted a while ago and was informed about having to change the number on the log book etc. They told me at the time it was to ensure that the duty had been paid on the car that the engine had come from. Eg, if any car comes into the country you have to pay duty. In case a tourist car comes and stays and has not paid duty, if you were to use that engine, it must be seen to be duty paid.

The same happened to us, fırst MOT ok, second, done via Erdeners Garage, failed first attempt, new tyres, got them fitted and they took it back and someone decided to check the engine number with log book and behold it was different.

Just failed mot because they couldn't read the engine number so the engine needs to be cleaned. Does anyone know where I can get the engine steam cleaned, preferably east side? Have had the engine washed before but the car invariably breaks down as water gets in the engine.

You can easily clean the engine number plate yourself with some degreaser available from most motor supply outlets. Then a simple wipe over and buff up with a cloth.

The engine number was visable as I asked one of the mechanics who done the emission test earlier to give it a clean.
The MOT man wants the engine cleaned, and without it being in pristine condition under the bonnet, then it will stay failed.

This happened 3 years ago, and 3 years before that !!!!
I know I will break down, but eventually the electrics dry-out.

The question is ---- where can i get it cleaned ?

The question is ---- where can i get it cleaned ?

I have always used the place opposite the Bo Thai in Catalkoy when the van's MOT is due. Clean Cab, washed body and engine bay, never had a problem but it is a diesel.

Sorry, I read the original post at 10/13 as the cause of the failure was due to their inability to read the engine number, not because they demand a pristine clean engine block. The TRNC is an interesting place is it not? I wonder how many of the locals' LHD old Renaults meet the same requirements expat need to conform to?

On Sunday was checking when my MOT was due .. Shock & horror the window started last Friday ..
Car had been washed last week after the dust had settled, so was reasonably clean ..
1 .. Erdener garage for emission test .. 25TL .. Mechanic said rear no plate change .. Test done immediately .. 10 min
2 .. Number plate shop, new plate produced immediately & fitted .. 20TL .. 15 min
3 .. Tax office for MOT form .. 143TL .. Long queue .. 30 min
4 .. Police garage, lift bonnet, (engine not washed) ok, go inside .. MOT cert obtained .. 10 min
Done & dusted in 1½ hr including about 25 min, home to Erdener, to no plate shop, to tax office, mot & home ..

harita wrote:On Sunday was checking when my MOT was due .. Shock & horror the window started last Friday ..
Car had been washed last week after the dust had settled, so was reasonably clean ..
1 .. Erdener garage for emission test .. 25TL .. Mechanic said rear no plate change .. Test done immediately .. 10 min
2 .. Number plate shop, new plate produced immediately & fitted .. 20TL .. 15 min
3 .. Tax office for MOT form .. 143TL .. Long queue .. 30 min
4 .. Police garage, lift bonnet, (engine not washed) ok, go inside .. MOT cert obtained .. 10 min
Done & dusted in 1½ hr including about 25 min, home to Erdener, to no plate shop, to tax office, mot & home ..

So can someone confirm the MOT process please.
is it as below and also approx cost.....thanks

1. Get emissions test done? At any garage?

2. Go to tax office for MOT form? Tax office is located where in Girne?

3. Go to police garage, presume near police station in Girne? They then do MOT.

Understand that if engine number, number plate broke, etc etc could result in failure but just wanted to know the process.

1, Yes - Any garage that has the facility to do the emissions test and issue you the certificate.
2. Yes - It is the same building where you pay your road tax (LOL), sorry. Near enough, it is behind Girne General Hospital - go early but they don't open till 08:15.
3. Yes - Don't know which direction you are coming from BUT let us say you are coming from Lefcosia. Drive down the hill to the main roundabout and turn left, take the first left (Mercedes garage on the corner) and then (I think) the first right, there is a sign on your left that points you in the right direction. It looks like you are driving into a hotel car park but you actually have to make a left turn towards a double height/width garage at the back of a small parking place. Park as close to it as you can. You don't want the tester to have to walk to far - that is an instant fail! There is a single storey building to the right (as you look at it) of the garage - go in there with a sad expression and an arm full of paper work. Talk to the man on the desk and they will do the rest.

Notes: Your car can fail for almost any reason on any particular day - Old number plate (no red line around it), New number plate (not made by the cousin of the tester), New number plate (letters/numbers not in the correct font), dirty windows, bad paintwork, not having the bonnet open and ready for the man with the mirror on the stick to check your engine number, Front/side windows being covered in none factory installed darkening material, the list is endless but appears not to include anything to do with the brakes/steering/horn/indicators (unless you get a new guy). Best thing is to have the car clean, tidy, make sure all the lights work and hope for the best.

waddo wrote:1, Yes - Any garage that has the facility to do the emissions test and issue you the certificate.
2. Yes - It is the same building where you pay your road tax (LOL), sorry. Near enough, it is behind Girne General Hospital - go early but they don't open till 08:15.
3. Yes - Don't know which direction you are coming from BUT let us say you are coming from Lefcosia. Drive down the hill to the main roundabout and turn left, take the first left (Mercedes garage on the corner) and then (I think) the first right, there is a sign on your left that points you in the right direction. It looks like you are driving into a hotel car park but you actually have to make a left turn towards a double height/width garage at the back of a small parking place. Park as close to it as you can. You don't want the tester to have to walk to far - that is an instant fail! There is a single storey building to the right (as you look at it) of the garage - go in there with a sad expression and an arm full of paper work. Talk to the man on the desk and they will do the rest.

Notes: Your car can fail for almost any reason on any particular day - Old number plate (no red line around it), New number plate (not made by the cousin of the tester), New number plate (letters/numbers not in the correct font), dirty windows, bad paintwork, not having the bonnet open and ready for the man with the mirror on the stick to check your engine number, Front/side windows being covered in none factory installed darkening material, the list is endless but appears not to include anything to do with the brakes/steering/horn/indicators (unless you get a new guy). Best thing is to have the car clean, tidy, make sure all the lights work and hope for the best.

Many thanks......When the time comes I will follow the process and ensure I have my sense of humour head on!

So can someone confirm the MOT process please.
is it as below and also approx cost.....thanks

1 .. Garage for emission test .. 25TL ..
2 .. Tax office for MOT form .. 143TL ..
3 .. Police garage ..

Directions are as waddo's post ..

waddo wrote:...Your car can fail for almost any reason on any particular day...bad paintwork...

Mine failed once on paintwork - I think that the tester was insulted that I had presented him with a vehicle in such a miserable external condition

I stopped off at TAYF on the way home and bought the appropriate 2-part paint 'system'.

Unfortunately my (cheap) spray gun packed up almost as soon as I started on the job, so I hand-painted the bonnet, gave the wing mirrors a 'lick' of paint, scrubbed the roof with a hard backed sponge - and it passed!

I fully admit that it was my fault, having not even washed the vehicle in the preceding six years but I did learn a lesson!...

...Don't be a SLOB!

For some strange reason (perhaps a cousin has gone into the respray business) the MOT guys now pay particular attention to the bonnet, roof and bumpers - this does not apply to R9's without lights, brakes, cracked windscreens, multi colored panels and of course any vehicle that is LHD! It will be fun if the peace talks work and the EU MOT rules start to apply here! Then every TC will suddenly have a brand new BMW - lol. Not picking on the TC's by the way, just in fun.

If it fails in Girne,drive to the test centre in Lefkosia where it's not such a lottery.

Finally found a garage which would clean the engine without the use of water and done a great job, though their package included inside\outside and engine for 85TL. (SONAX, 0533-866-3758 who are situated on the "Colony road" in central Girne)....Took 2 hours......
Took it back for the MOT, and the chap who originally failed my 20year old RAV passed-it straight away, asking where I had it cleaned (true!!)

Would advise anyone with an old and shabby car to spend 85Tl before visiting MOT centre.....saves a lot of agro.

Michael

The past two times we have required an MOT we just take the car to Erdener Garage for a service and ask them to get the MOT...dirty car, no mudlaps, damaged number plate....but got the MOT. Ok we have to pay them a small fee for doing it but hey ho, less stress. What I really don't understand is the wrecks of cars that are driving around.....do they not have any checks at all? Our turkish Cypriot next door neighbour drives around in the worst wreck I have ever seen....falling to bits, filthy, bits falling off, he even calls it his tool box.....and when he starts it, or tries to as it normally takes several attempts, I can't tell the difference between that and his really noisy lawnmower.....yes, he has a lawn......hmmmmmmm but yes, hey ho, its cyprus.

"The past two times we have required an MOT we just take the car to Erdener Garage for a service and ask them to get the MOT...dirty car, no mudlaps, damaged number plate....but got the MOT. Ok we have to pay them a small fee for doing it but hey ho, less stress. What I really don't understand is the wrecks of cars that are driving around."

In a serious attempt to not say "are you not doing the same things as all the other "Wreck" owners", can I just point out that you are! Paying a small fee for doing it???? Bribing the police???? By your own admission you are evading the laws of the land and proud of it!!!

You are a true Cypriot and I am proud of you. Keep it going because we do live in he land of the brown envelope!

Mick, she pays Erdener Garage, not the Police, you dipstick!

Do try to keep up!

Ah, I get it now - its a bit like me paying my income tax then??? I am still proud of here for being able to convert to Cypriot even if she has not realized that she has - lol.

I don't know what you are getting at Waddo, all I said was I let Erdener do it for me......my car is far from a wreck, if a little dirty at times, it has never had mudflaps although I had it from new....and there is a crack in the number plate but it is roadworthy.........the small fee goes to Erdener which I don't mind. Just saying, that's all.......no need to have a go! Yeah ok maybe I have converted to Cypriot......have lived here long enough to qualify I think!

mrsgee, don't let it get to you please!!!! Just strange humor at work - good for you for supporting the local garage and getting round the maze of stupidity that prevents non-Cypriots from living a normal life! Keith and I will pick on each other given half a chance but it is only in jest honest. My apologies if I have upset you with my posts, I did not mean to.

I have also used Erdener in the past and it is a top helpful garage.

I do not think Erdeners would do anything really illegal, they are a good family with ethics, used them for years.

I never said they would do anything illegal, they are great, we always use them and the supermarket. Someone else suggested it, not me (see how things can get twisted by careless comments). They are not doing anything illegal for me, just taking the car and getting the MOT done, saves me going - that's all. I fully expect to pay for their time in getting it MOT'd.