MOT seam welding: can you grund the welds flat?

[ChasesDragons]

Hi all,
2025 standards: my camper has failed due to incorrect welding around "prescribed areas" front and read suspension mounts. The welding has been spot welded.

If it was seam welded, would it be wrong to grind the welds back smooth? - legal or strengthwise?

Thank you

 

[tom2207]

yep , I do it that way and send it back for inspection and nine times out of ten they dont know where has been welded ... and here we have to send things back clean for inspection , ie no underseal or paint ,,, I just spray the repair with clear lacquer to keep the rust out until its inspected

 

[ChasesDragons]

Thanks,
If they noted it was ground back, would it then be a fail? I am not trying to dodge anything, its just the neat freak in me telling me to get the grinder because it looks cute!

 

[tom2207]

Thanks,
If they noted it was ground back, would it then be a fail? I am not trying to dodge anything, its just the neat freak in me telling me to get the grinder because it looks cute!

ground back is only removing excess , if its welded properly the cap is adding nothing to the joint ,,, normally if its tidy looking they are happy , repairs have to be seam welded , but replacement panels only have to be welded back to original ... but its not worth the row ,, just leave it tidy and they will be ok.

look at my invisible stitching ,,,, is the phrase that springs to mind.

 

[Shedendman]

I always dress my welds down somewhat,esp the snotty bits,also good for spotting any missed bits/pinholes etc

 

[james butler]

playing devils advocate i have seen a patch glued on with tiger seal that the owner of the vehicle claimed was spotted on and welds ground flat, mot tester didnt believe him and rejected anyways ( not to mention patches should be seam welded unless replacing entire panels like for like spot welding) so it cant be easy on their side seeing what might not be a believable repair
as above best policy is leave it raised and visable than after the fresh certificate has been issued get your grinder and paint out and go for it

 

[steveo3002]

think of a fully restored car vs a rough mot patch up , theyre ground off and made invisible

what they cant see they cant fail on , do what makes you happy and cake it in seam sealer

 

[Shedendman]

All the MOT guys want to see is the repair done and dusted end of