MOT was i taken advantage of

QfanatiQ

I need some advice if anyoen is able.

Took car into a large brand place pretty much knowing it woudl fail on the front tyers.

I looked online to see tyers were 84 for two

MOT Failed, it was the tyers and all they had where some expensive ones because they said i had modified wheelrim sizes on the car.

I asked if i was able to take it away and come back fro a retest, they said not without paying. I am very car naive so felt forced this is what i needed to do.

I now find out,i coudl have tekn it away and returned it within 24 hours (working day) for a free retest.

I ended up paying a lotfor these tyers and also traced back (as i know the one previous owner of the car) and foudn out the wheels are as supplied (my car type did come up on thier internet search when looking for tyers using number plate (bran and type not specific model i do knwo the tyers are different on my (standard of the production line) sporty model)).

What is my best angle for as much money back as possible.

I feel very cheated and bluffed,am i wrong?

They also (i noticed just now) dated my MOT forthe day t was taken,this is normnallyforwarded to the date it is due.Meaning i have lost a good few days. Not the kind of thing i liek to stress about in the new year next year with less time.

Thanks,.....Q

BananasMel

That's odd.That they charged you again because last year my 106 failed on emissions but I needed it for work and took it back next day to get a new cat fitted.I wasn't charged for a retest even though I took the car away?

Before my MOT I had two dodgy front tyres and took the Pug to a cheapo tyre place beforehand to get them replaced.£15 each!

I think it depends where you go because I can't find anything about it on DirectGov about retest fees.

My mum had a Rover Metro GTi years and years ago and the garage tried to sell her expensive tyres saying that they were "Special" because they were low profile but my mum went somewhere else and got them half the price so I think they were telling porkies!

lal1234

from what you've said they told you that you could take the car away and get the tyres somewhere else and then return as long as you paid for the MOT up front? I don't see the problem? I don't imagine many garages would do work and then just let someone drive off? Re the dates for MOT - yes garages can put dates forward - did you ask them to do this for you?

toinfinityandbeyond

hi,
i know it won't help now but maybe next time...
I picked up advice on here actually to look online at your local council website and find their mot centre, as they only do mots they will not say things need doing that don't or mess about. I did it last year and will be doing again this year----it was the first time my car passed!!! Strange that???

Careful_with_that_Axe

We live and learn eh?
I just recently had my car serviced - knew it would be a little more expensive as was due an oil change. However, was charged £60 + VAT for the oil! Can't be right.
Next time will check cost of known additional items with garage before I book it in and shop around. Sigh.

Sooler

Was it NationwideAutocenter

they have a price promise, but it's only local - not online price match

"All parts are guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever is sooner) and if you find the same goods or service cheaper (within 3 miles of the Autocentre and 7 days), we will refund the difference."

Did you present your current MOT certificate to get the new one dated from when the old one ends?

Tallymanjohn

With the new computerised MOT certificates I was under the impression that they automatically dated them from the expiry of the previous one - I hope it is a computerised one you've got, with the peelable sticky bit in the corner?

Personally I'd go back, see the guy who told you the tyres were non standard & tell him that you've checked & he was basically lying. If no joy, & it is a largish organisation, start writing a few letters to the head office, laying down your grievances and naming the guy who's giving false info - last thing companies want in the current climate is bad press.

viktory

For future reference always take your car to a council owned MOT centre. They have nothing to sell and no axe to grind.

colin13

just a point, I agree tht the guy was prob telling porkies over tyres,, but if ur car fails on tyres then by law the car is illegal and dangerous,,he mayb should have put the spare on and then sent u on ur way for cheaper tyres as has been sid we live and learn

QfanatiQ

Thanks for the guidance.
It was both front tyers, so one spare would not have done the job.

I was happy to pay upfront for the MOT that showed the fail, it is the retest fee and more importantly the tyers that i am concerned about (price of tyers)

I have learnt by reading,asking and covertly calling the same MOT place and also my previous garage that i woudl have been allowed to take the car way to get the tyers sorted and if brought back within 24 hours to the same MOT test centre than i will get a free retest.

There are also other rules about three weeks (major repairs) also different rules if car is left on test site.

I will keep allposted for replies to complaint letter and anything i learn that might help others.

Cheers......Q

markelock

write to head office and complain.

also, bearing in mind you knew the tyres were illegal, you should count yourself lucky you weren't stopped, and fined (alot more than the cost of a tyre), or worse, involved in an accident where the tyres were a contributory factor.