Paying twice for MOT?

Ames

On monday night my car broke down, the AA man diagnosed a burnt out clutch and towed me to a garage he recommended. As it's MOT was due this week I asked them to do that too.

They sorted the clutch, and did the MOT. It's failed on coil springs (or something, don't really know anything about cars). It's going to cost me £200 plus another MOT.

I always thought that if the second test was done in the same garage, after staying there since the failed one, that they couldn't charge for a second test? Or have I just always been to nice garages before?

The whole thing is costing £600 altogether so the extra test isn't that much in the big picture, but it's annoying me.

Altarf

If the vehicle is left at the MOT test station for repair and re-examination no fee can be charged for such a retest.

But is the garage that is doing the work also actually doing the MOT, or are they taking it to an MOT test station for you. If the latter then they are allowed to charge the full MOT cost.

This is all a by-product of the introduction of the new computerised MOT system. In the past although the rules may not have allowed the MOT test station to only do a partial retest, most turned a blind eye and did just check the bit that had failed. Now the computerised system is designed to stop such 'cheating' and they have to do a full test.

Ames

As far as I know it's all being done on site, they haven't told me that it's being taken elsewhere for the tests. Might have to try and argue with them when I get the car back.

Ames

I've just read that it's only if it failed on certain things that a retest is free, and the suspension bits weren't listed, is that true? I don't want to try and argue to get the £45 back if they are allowed to charge it.

Altarf

The list of 're-test without paying the full fee items' is if the car is taken away from the testing station. If the car is not taken away, then no-fee is payable irrespective of what was wrong.

derrick

No retest fee if left at the garage to do the repairs, or for certain items if car taken away for repair and brought back within 24 hours, from HERE:-

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Retest Re-Examinations[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
• If the vehicle stays at the test station which failed the vehicle, to be repaired
No Additional Fee (Partial Re- Examination)

• If the vehicle is brought back to the same test station and retested before the end of the next working day on one or more of the following items only:
No Additional Fee (Partial Re-Examination)
[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ABS Warning
Bootlid
Brake Pedal Antislip
Direction Indicators
Doors
Dropsides
Emissions
Fuel Filler Cap[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Hazard Warning
Headlamp Aim
Horn
Lamps
Loading Door
Mirrors
Rear Reflectors
Registration Plates[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Seat Belts (But Not Anchorages)
Seats
Sharp Edges or Projections
Steering Wheel
Tailboard
Tailgate[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] VIN
Windscreen and Windscreen Wipers/Washers
Wheels and Tyres*

* But not classes 1 & 11[/FONT]

Ames

So if they do a full retest they can charge but not if they do a partial one? What's to stop them doing the full retest then just so they can charge the full fee again?

Sorry if I'm being awkward, it's just that I know nothing about cars and am rubbish at complaining but obviously don't want to be conned into paying twice if I don't need to.

derrick

If its left at the garage to be repaired, why would they want/need to do a full retest? they know whats wrong and if they repair it will then pass the test, if removed for the reasons applicable and returned the following day still no retest fee as nothing should have changed,except the faults should have been put right, and that is what the regs allow.