On 08/10/2019 16:47, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Eventually I paid for a bit of work to the handbrake and took it for a
second MOT. It passed.

Ex-MOT tester neighnour has been looking at an exhaust problem
with the butchers ageing Nissan 4x4.

Seems that the front cat (there are two) is blocked so the
exhaust is blowing back into the engine, out though manifold
gaskets, etc. engine management light is on, there is oil and
crap everywhere under the bonnet, and vehicle only
goes up a hill in 1st gear.

Back street MOT place near Amberley gave it a new MOT certificate,
no questions asked, so he could tax it and carry on using it until
it had a new front exhaust.

Never trust any MOT. They might show the mileage and available
to inspect online but there are still plenty of dodgy places who
will issue a clean MOT for a 'favour'.