Engine oil

[ShiftZZ]

My dad has two cars, both VV, one a newish golf and the other a 1998 Passat. He has only done 470 miles in the Passat in 4 years..
He needs an MOT, I doubt if he has changed the oil in the last 5 years... I assume that oil deteriorates, is it worth the risk taking it for a MOT and service or change the oil where the car is now...

 

[Gellyneck]

If the MOT station offers a free retest you've got (I think but check with them) 10 days to represent for a retest. Might be worth doing it this way around as MOT may identify some other issues you could get fixed at the same time before representing?

 

[ShiftZZ]

If the MOT station offers a free retest you've got (I think but check with them) 10 days to represent for a retest. Might be worth doing it this way around as MOT may identify some other issues you could get fixed at the same time before representing?

Yes, its a friendly garage, the car has been sitting in a garage for years, at least 6, just takes it out for an MOT, he did have fully comp insurance which was worth more than the car..

 

[tacr2man]

No need to worry about the oil , will work fine . I have pulled old landys out of barns that haven't even been started for decades , oil was never a problem .

 

[Hettie's Crew]

As the oil needs to be hot to drain properly it may well be good to do let them do it in the service. Might be preferable to ask for the oil service before the MOT to ensure it’s protected if they are reving the nuts off it for emissions testing.

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[tacr2man]

just a point , more of a concern is petrol left to sit , as it can get a bit degraded , starts to smell a bit like varnish , harder to start more likelihood of misfires, and may adversely affect emissions . So worth topping up with plenty of super grade unleaded . @ShiftZZ

 

[The Wino]

Yes, its a friendly garage, the car has been sitting in a garage for years, at least 6, just takes it out for an MOT, he did have fully comp insurance which was worth more than the car..

If the garage are trustworthy ask them!

 

[ShiftZZ]

just a point , more of a concern is petrol left to sit , as it can get a bit degraded , starts to smell a bit like varnish , harder to start more likelihood of misfires, and may adversely affect emissions . So worth topping up with plenty of super grade unleaded . @ShiftZZ

Not petrol diesel,,

 

[TheBig1]

Not petrol diesel,,

beware the diesel bug which grows in the tank of rarely used engines overwinter and can ruin the fuel system

Is this a rare model of passat in pristine condition Dave, or just dad hanging on to a memory? It would be cheaper in the later case if dad SORNed the car if he is not going to drive it