MOT and Service scams

sarahbrown

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

Brillant you put in a car for MOT with dodgy lights and tyres and wondered why it failed

There was no scam here and just because you found a less than thorough garage to pass it with a questionable fault means nothing

No, we expected it to fail on tyres and light bulbs, we knew about that. What we didn't expect was for it to fail on indicators, as they had previously been passed on MOT's.

gsmmad

the car should not have failed MOT for that. U should have asked for a appeal form. They would have passed u. The reason is if u appeal, someone from VOSA has to come down and then go through the car with them and the person from VOSA will just check the indicators work. Its not a part of the MOT test to check how they fully function.

However i would suggest getting tht problem sorted somewhere down the line, but for MOT ....they shud not even test that. I have had 2 MOT's done in the last month and they did not do this on my car. They just checked that the indicators worked.

LandyAndy

sarahbrown wrote: »

No, we expected it to fail on tyres and light bulbs, we knew about that. What we didn't expect was for it to fail on indicators, as they had previously been passed on MOT's.

My Lightweight had passed an MoT every year, after being sold out of military service in the mid nineties, at various MoT stations around the country. Two years ago it failed for 'No rear reflectors' even though it had never had any.

Different inspectors, slightly different interpretations of the rules.

gsmmad

LandyAndy ...thats not right thought every station seems to do something different and it seems to benefit them and never us. One sation failed me on my CV boot saying its split. Another said no it wasnt split and it shud have been advisory.

They have to follow a set of guidelines and these are not being followed by all MOT stations.

jeannieblue

Sadly not all testers are up to standard. Some pass vehicles that should not have passed. VOSA are tightening up and bringing in higher standards - hence why it passed last year and not this year. Can't blame the testers, they follow the rules (or should do) and it is not in their interest to flout the rules, they could lose their livelihood if they do.

hewhoisnotintheknow

you knew it was going to fail on tyres yet you still drive round in it

Discraceful

sarahbrown

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

you knew it was going to fail on tyres yet you still drive round in it

Discraceful

NO - THE TYRES AND BULBS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED.

sarahbrown

jeannieblue wrote: »

Think the cost of new switch/indicator stalk and fitting being £250 - does sound excessive, but we don't know anything about the vehicle, so it could be one that has over priced parts....

Its faulty - you knew that - it failed its MOT - don't be surprised.

I think the fact that you didn't ask for it to be repaired when you initially bought the car, unusual... I would've been back straight away. The fact that it passed MOT previously, doesn't matter. Plus, MOT rules and 'tightness' etc, does change. VOSA have been tightening up on the testers that were known as slack in their ways.

Bad luck. You could always check out some breakers for the part required.

MOT HAS NOW BEEN CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH UP TO DATE VOSA REGULATIONS (MECHANIC SHOWED HIM RECENT VOSA MANUAL) AND AS ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT, CAR PASSED MOT.

jeannieblue

sarahbrown wrote: »

MOT HAS NOW BEEN CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH UP TO DATE VOSA REGULATIONS (MECHANIC SHOWED HIM RECENT VOSA MANUAL) AND AS ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT, CAR PASSED MOT.

I'm really glad that you have it all resolved now and the car has passed its MOT.

I'm not sure why you are replying in capitals tho. It looks like you are shouting.

Gatos

I think people here are giving Sarahbrown a hard time. What she is trying to say is that these places offering a combined MOT Service can be dodgy. Not all of them are, but some are. All she is pointing out is that there are some rogue mechanics out there that the only thing they care is to make easy money for simple work. Her post was meant to warn people of possible rip offs and that people should be smart and shop around to avoid rip off mechanics.

When my display panel (speed, revs etc) went dead, I was quoted 600 pounds for a new one including fitting. I decided to take it out myself and replace it. But I found out that it was only a loose connection somewhere, which I tightened. Total cost 7.99 for the Haynes manual from fleebay and a couple of hours of my weekend.

I am not a mechanic myself but carry on the servicing on my car. I take it to my local Volvo dealer and for 50 pounds they do a check on the car and tell me if any work is required. As long as it is an easy job, I carry out the work, if it more complicated I take it to a local garage for the major work.
My first time i took the car to one of these combined MOT service crap, I payed 220 thinking it was a good deal. Being a trustful idiot I assumed everything was fine. Two weeks later when I opened the bonet to check the oil, I found out that the plastic engine cover had been broken (where the screws go in) and that a few plastic screws for fittings were missing. I took my car to the local Volvo dealer a month later and they found out a problem with a bolt underneath the car which they tightened for no extra cost and told me that it was extremely dangerous and that it could cause a major accident.
I have since decided to do the work myself and a Haynes manual and having the car checked by Volvo once a year for 50. Not bad:beer: