
The wife decided she wanted her baby back on the road for the new year so down to the garage for an MOT Picked it up and shock horror. "Is yours the little convertible he said" tut-tutting and shaking his head. Never a good sign.
He listed the failures starting with a blown number plate bulb, then
Exhaust system not adequately supported.
Excessive wear in rear offside lower shock absorber bush.
Excessive play in front nearside suspension arm ball joint.
Rear parking brake efficiency below requirements.
Advisorys were, worn pitted rear brake discs and thin pads.
Leaky Exhaust from the clamp between rear silencer & middle pipe.
How much to sort it? "not worth it," he said, "probably about £600".

So its the new year for me spent under the car then.
The front suspension arm is not an issue, I had a look and it seems when I changed them a couple of years back I split the boot over the ball joint, so my bad and an easy fix (now I know what I am doing) I just have to be more careful this time.
If anyone has any tips on the following please
I'm going to change both rear shocks, the car has been a little rattly in the rear and I think it's about time I did so anyway. Anything I need to know or is it a straightforward swop over?
I'm going to change the rear discs and pads, I am hoping this solves the rear handbrake problem. If anyone has any info on any additional adjustments I need to make please let me know.
Replacing the Exhaust clamp, this is straightforward but what I cannot understand is the 'not supported properly'.
There is a heck of a lot of play in the exhaust I thought it was a broken bracket, but no, the rear box is only 3 years old and the supporting bracket is OK. The rubber bushes are firm and attached holding it to the pins under the car and the center pipe bush is intact and doing its job.
I'm thinking a new clamp might reduce play, but the whole thing is so wobbly it's ridiculous, is this the way it is designed or am I missing something?
Thanks all