MOT problem - leaking shock absorber

Goldust

Hi,

I just took my car for it's MOT and I'm sure the garage is trying to pull a fast one. They phoned me up to tell me it had failed because of the tread on the rear near side tyre is below the acceptable standard. I knew about this and was going to get them to replace the tyre except that their prices were prohibitive so I thought I'd see if it passed first. Not a problem I'll pay the £80 odd for a tyre.

However, the are saying the reason it is worn is because the shock absorber "has a major leak". There are no noticeable symptoms of this and never has been and they want £140 for a new absorber and they should be replaced as a pair so another £280!

I've been stung in the past with a shock absorber tale at a different garage and I'm not sure what to do. I know nothing about cars but I get the impression that some garages report such faults especially ones that do very reasonably priced MOTs!

I've taken the car away now and I think I'll get a second opinion but its a shame because I've wasted the money already on one MOT.

Anyone got any similar experiences or advice they can offer?

Thanks a lot

MATT

northern_munky

Check it yourself Matt, what car is it, is it front or rear shocker leaking? In general you just need to jack the car up, you wont even need to take the wheel off, as long as you can have a look under the wheel arch, you'll see lots of oil leaking from the shocker if its as bad as they say.

Tallymanjohn

I think everyone should use the independant, non-garage testing stations. OK, you don't get the 'cut-price' MOT but at least you can be certain that any fail is genuine. Around here they all seem to be in bus garages but I'm sure every area has them. Maybe I'm paranoid but I figure no garage is going to offer reduced rates unless they can recoup the costs by failing on marginal, or 'invented' faults.

Goldust

Its the rear tyre on the near side. I'm getting the tyre done tomorrow at another (cheaper) garage and I'll ask them to look at the shock absorbers then - can't do it now as its too dark!

I agree that garages do seem to be using MOTs to grab whatever cash they can by being over-fussy and making up faults now - I'm even worrying now that they may have even saboutaged my car seeing as they had it all day because I said I didn't have the money to pay for the repair right now. Probably just being paranoid but there you go..

Thanks for the replies so far

MATT

saintjanet

This used to be a "trick" used by some fast fit tyre and exhaust companies years ago,it may still be!,I found this out when i took my car for an exhaust,a friend picked it up and they told him one of the shocks was leaking,he said he would tell me,they did not know he was a fitter,they were probably expecting me to pick it up,he had a good look and said they were trying it on!!I suppose this could be the same fiddle,of course they may be genuine but it should be easy to tell.

ArsenalFC

I go to a MOT testing station only, they dont do repairs and cost £40. My previous bmw (year95) passed 1st time last year. My current car nissan micra (2000) passed 1st time too in august, the car needed a new cv gaitor as it was leaking. Still passed it and recommend me to a local mechanic who charged me a reasonable £36 supplied and fitted.

I would always get a second opinion first on parts they say needs replacing . For people who need tyres in the future, I use www.mytyres.co.uk - they have very good prices.