Feel ripped of by MOT, what do you think?

Penniestopounds_2

Hey guys,

I'd be grateful for any help you can offer.

I took my car for an MOT this morning. It failed but the fault was identical to a fault their sister garage had failed it on 2 years ago. My dad took the car then and paid them the £190 for the repair but I got the impression he felt ripped off even back then. He never went back to that chain of garages again.

This is the fault (the wording is identical to 2 years ago when £190 was paid to repair it):

Nearside (and offside) Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment.

Since then the car has done 900 (no that's not a typo) miles and that's over normal road (no speed bumps). I've owned cars for years and never had this fault before let alone twice in 2 years on a car that I don't use much so I don't know what to think. Can I get this car tested somewhere else or is the fault already recorded on the national database?

Thanks for any advice you can offer

Volcano

While it could be a rubber bush that has perished (and quite feasible if the model of vehicle is known for it), it seems strange it's gone so soon. Maybe lack of use has caused it to harden? (thinking about how rubber exhaust fittings are constantly flexing and seem to last for many years despite being exposed).

While it may seem dodgy, your priority is getting it through its MOT. Do you think the price is unreasonable to fix this? If so, then another garage is the next stop. I don't think they'd check for previous failed components on the database, (anyone?).

jeannieblue

You can take it somewhere else for a second opinion. If the shock absorbers are found to be ok - then I recommend you complain to VOSA as this fail will be on their system.

Penniestopounds_2

Thanks for your replies. The car is an old Golf. The part could have perished I suppose but when I said to the garage guy that this was only repaired 2 years ago and the car had done less than a thousand miles since then, his reply was that I must have been driving over a lot of bumps then (I don't).

I'll maybe take it to another garage and see what they say.

jeannieblue

Penniestopounds wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. The car is an old Golf. The part could have perished I suppose but when I said to the garage guy that this was only repaired 2 years ago and the car had done less than a thousand miles since then, his reply was that I must have been driving over a lot of bumps then (I don't).

I'll maybe take it to another garage and see what they say.

I doubt that the shocks will cost alot - even genuine ones, as VW parts are generally very reasonable - and I hazard a guess at around an hour to fit them.

But do get a second opinion!

Penniestopounds_2

Quoted £190 for supply and fit, same as last time. If I thought it was genuine it wouldn't be a problem but I'm not convinced this time.

kalaika

Could you get the MOT centre to point our exactly what the fail referrs to so that you know what they are trying to charge you for? You would then be able to see for yourself if they look worn or not (not necessarily an exact science as you might not be able to tell unless you're an expert) but it'll mean you'll be more informed when you go and get a second opinion as you'll know exactly what caused the first fail.

I know that if my car failed an MOT on "Macpherson struts" I wouldn't have a clue but if you can get them to show you precisely what they think needs replacing it would put you in a better position when you have someone else looking at it.

jeannieblue

kalaika wrote: »

Could you get the MOT centre to point our exactly what the fail referrs to so that you know what they are trying to charge you for? You would then be able to see for yourself if they look worn or not (not necessarily an exact science as you might not be able to tell unless you're an expert) but it'll mean you'll be more informed when you go and get a second opinion as you'll know exactly what caused the first fail.

I know that if my car failed an MOT on "Macpherson struts" I wouldn't have a clue but if you can get them to show you precisely what they think needs replacing it would put you in a better position when you have someone else looking at it.

They are shock absorbers.

LittleMissAspie

Take it to a council MOT test centre, they don't do repairs so they have no reason to make up faults.

http://www.ukmot.com/MOT%20test/Council%20MOT%20Test%20Centers.asp

mick307

People with a yellow sign/black writing starts with H or a green sign that starts with an A????

Only reason i ask is that there have been many threads over the years about 2 particular garage groups, and its asways suspension faults that they seem to fail a car on. I would name the groups but not sure if thats allowed. Do a search on Google for the garage and MOT fails to see if it brings up very much.

As far as i know VW's are not prone to rubber mountings perishing, however it is possible that lack of use could lead to it. The cost will come way down if you shop around, or DIY it, does seem to be a high cost as i would have thought total time for the job would only be an hour, could be wrong though.

Mick.

harveybobbles

The wording will be the same as we all use the computerised systems now, so all that gets done is little tick boxes. The VOSa computer fills the rest in.

900 miles in a year could make a whole host of things wear out thru lack of use as it will just rot!

Your car has failed, deal with it.