Had a similar situation. Went to do a load test on a non-contract 1930's Otis geared. Found the governor frozen so bad, it took a half an hour with a prybar and a can of Liquid Wrench to even move the jaws. Safeties were frozen too. I LOTO and we gave the customer a list of needed repairs. Turns out L.A. Elevator did the prior load test 5 years prior and it passed with flying colors. The customer called L.A. Elevator that same day and VOILA! It passed with flying colors again! It's a miracle. I had notified the City Inspectors and they "investigated". Never heard another word, customer wouldn't pay the invoice and the equipment is still in the same condition.