£27 MOT at Nationwide, is there a catch?

goldspanners

ginvzt wrote: »

Nationwide told me MOT would have failed by cause lights were to high, which they adjusted for me for £10 by just turning the dial on the dashboard! Since I was not as smart as I am know, I didn't argue... And also - I have booked it with £10 off voucher online. So they charged me £10 for turning the dial! This was 2 years ago.

are you sure they done that? headlights are adjusted at the actual light unit by turning a screw. most garages will do this for free as its fairly common and easy to do.

Comstock

goldspanners wrote: »

are you sure they done that? headlights are adjusted at the actual light unit by turning a screw. most garages will do this for free as its fairly common and easy to do.

I think some of the modern cars are adjustable in-car.

Rolandtheroadie

Comstock wrote: »

I think some of the modern cars are adjustable in-car.

No, the beam is adjustable for whether the car is loaded or not. Full boot, headlights higher, move dial to bring down again.

th1982

Well last year I got a free MOT thorugh Kwik fit as I had my car insurance with them that year - I was convinced they'd find "something" to fail it on to make some pennies but it passed with flying colours (only 4 year old VW polo).

If they fail it ask them to show you - if you ask them they have to show you it so you can verify the problem (that's what i always do). Also remember if it fails on something you are within your rights to take the car elsewhere for the problem to be fixed and then return it to them for a re-test (if it's a bulb or something easy , go to halfords, buy a new one fit it yourself and save yourself a few quid!) - check their policy for the exact time period i think it may be 24/48 hours, but you should then be able to take it back to them within a set time period for a free re-test.

Even the big companies will try and rip you off so it's not always a cheap offer that can cost. My work colleague took his car to Jennings Ford in Stockton, and they failed his car on the tyre tread. He'd checked all 4 tyres the night before at various points along width and circumference and all were above the legal minimum, but they were adamant they were not and refused to release the car until he paid for them to replce the tyres. He ended up having to pay due to other circumstances which meant he needed the car back, but needless to say he isn't going back tehre ever again!

goldspanners

Comstock wrote: »

I think some of the modern cars are adjustable in-car.

i know what you mean, both my car and van have this function but headlights aim has always been adjustable at the headlight unit. you cant adjust the aim of your lights from the dash just the height.

gardner1

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

I'll take £50 on Exhaust, down pipe e/w

£100 double exhaust and brakes

ginvzt

goldspanners wrote: »

are you sure they done that? headlights are adjusted at the actual light unit by turning a screw. most garages will do this for free as its fairly common and easy to do.

Yes, I am sure. I could see that they turned the dial and when I moved to previous position, they where in exactly the same position as before MOT.

Wig

goldspanners wrote: »

i know what you mean, both my car and van have this function but headlights aim has always been adjustable at the headlight unit. you cant adjust the aim of your lights from the dash just the height.

Yeah but he said they failed him for lights being too high, and adjusted them via the dash.

I'd have thought that MOT testers are expected to ensure the dash lights control is set to zero before testing anyway. I'd have refused to pay 10 pounds for that after seeing them just turn a switch on the dash.

goldspanners

Wig wrote: »

Yeah but he said they failed him for lights being too high, and adjusted them via the dash.

I'd have thought that MOT testers are expected to ensure the dash lights control is set to zero before testing anyway. I'd have refused to pay 10 pounds for that after seeing them just turn a switch on the dash.

thats why i was asking if he was sure this is all they done. he might have seen them adjust at the dash and just assume this is all they done, they might have then gone to the front of the car and adjusted the lights.

i don't think they would need to be set at zero, i think they would have to be set at the correct setting there would be no point setting it at zero if the boot was full of heavy stuff.

hoyles10

Well it's been in and come back and all is well.

I dropped it off about half 10 this morning, they called me at half 12 and I was expecting them to tell me it needed something doing to it but no, they told me it had passed without a problem.

Went to pick it up still not convinced but they gave me the certificate, told me it was £27 and they hope to see me next year, which if it's still the cheapest MOT around they will do.

Looks like some of your betting abilities are good as mine are with horses