Used car/or MoT repairs - advice needed urgently

Rolandtheroadie

Just because the MOT wasnt done at a council run MOT place doesnt mean the OP is being ripped off either.
Theres also far easier ways to rip someone off other than claiming that welding and a cat need done (both easily checked).

AliceBanned

gardner1 wrote: »

just because garage says it needs welding does not mean it will need it get second oppinion


OP who did mot was it a big chain centre or small garage

Hi

It is a small local garage that I've taken it to for the past 3 years. I can only say that he seems honest - he is a young guy who started up on his own three years ago and has expanded since then but still does most of the work himself - he doesn't do the MOT;s - a unit next door does them. I know there could be a conflict of interests but I've been to far worse places where I definitely got a feeling that something dodgy was going on. I think 1995 is really old! It uses so much petrol so I want to get something more economical next year, even though it will be a struggle to buy. I've driven it for four years and it feels like a tank sometimes!

AliceBanned

scotsman4th wrote: »

Just because the MOT wasnt done at a council run MOT place doesnt mean the OP is being ripped off either.
Theres also far easier ways to rip someone off other than claiming that welding and a cat need done (both easily checked).

There comes a point when you have to try and trust a mechanic, I agree! I have no reason not to trust this one and he seems like a decent guy. He replaced a broken bracket on my exhaust for nothing last year - the part only cost about £2 but he wouldn't take any money for the work. Just a small gesture but even so, I like to think I can trust him.

AliceBanned

Also year before last it failed on steering as well as emissions. Steering felt fine before I took it to a different garage, and after their "service" the steering was loose and it failed the next MOT on steering! This guy (the one I go to now) fixed it for me rather than saying I had to replace the whole steering column. They do need to make a living as well anyway!

AliceBanned

gardner1 wrote: »

the emissions results may just be over nothing that a good run to warm engine up before mot test and hey presto pass

Third time it's failed on emissions in four years. I only do 3000 miles per year and more short journeys than long. This may be why. He is replacing the cat anyway. Hopefully this will get it through as it did last time.

Hintza

I agree with you Alice you just have to trust folk (until youhave a reason not to).

The on hing I would say is that once you start welding it can only get worse. If I were you I would continue making plans to get another car in 6-8 months.

AliceBanned

Hintza wrote: »

I agree with you Alice you just have to trust folk (until youhave a reason not to).

The on hing I would say is that once you start welding it can only get worse. If I were you I would continue making plans to get another car in 6-8 months.

Thanks Hintza - that was my plan - get something around later summer next year. I won't have much money but can save a deposit and get the rest on HP. I may get something with a long term plan - ie nearly new but even with that I don't know where to start! I don't want to get either an old banger again or spend 2-3k on something and need to replace it or have expensive repairs in 1-2 years.

espresso

AliceBanned wrote: »

Third time it's failed on emissions in four years. I only do 3000 miles per year and more short journeys than long. This may be why. He is replacing the cat anyway. Hopefully this will get it through as it did last time.

Are you saying that this cat has only done 3000 miles? I know someone with a 1995 Fiesta who only does very low miles and it will fail the emissions test every year unless it given a good fast run before the test.

JimmyTheWig

AliceBanned wrote: »

Makes me think of keeping it, but it isn't very economical for fuel.

AliceBanned wrote: »

I only do 3000 miles per year

Hi,

If you've got your heart set on replacing it next year and you can afford to do so then go for it.
But if you're doing for cost reasons, think again.

Lets say by changing cars you can get your petrol costs down from 20p/mile to 10p/mile. I would be shocked if you could do that well, but lets assume you could.
That would save you 10p per mile. Doing 3000 miles a year, this will save you £300 a year on petrol.
That is nothing, absolutely nothing, compared to the cost of buying a new / newer car.

By far the most cost effective thing to do would be to keep this car until it dies.


Jim

AliceBanned

espresso wrote: »

Are you saying that this cat has only done 3000 miles? I know someone with a 1995 Fiesta who only does very low miles and it will fail the emissions test every year unless it given a good fast run before the test.

Perhaps I should phone the garage and ask him whether it is necessary then? He may not have done that yet.