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MOT failed and they wanted £400+, retested at a different garage passed first time.
We brought a 08 Corsa about 6 weeks ago from my mum with only 20,000 miles on the clock. My mum only does a few miles in it and it’s like new. We had a 03 Megan which was costing us hundreds of pounds every time we went to the same garage which is why we sold it.
We then took our new car to the garage for its first MOT, thinking that it would pass without anything big needing doing. We were then told by the garage it had failed to our shock. They told me (via telephone) it had failed on three things:
When we got to the garage and saw the failed report, it stated some slightly different problems:
The garage then wanted £300 plus VAT, plus the MOT cost. The mechanic had written the price of all the work next to each item on the failure notice, which we still have. To say I was a little shocked would be an understatement. I was so shocked I wanted a second opinion. I spoke with a different garage and explained the year and miles of the car and the problems it had and it failing the MOT. They were also shocked. If the work still needed doing, it would put my mind a rest. I had the pay the garage for the failed MOT (£40).
The car was then retested at a different garage and their test found that it only needed a new window blade and the handbrake lever needed two bolts tightening. All in all it then cost £61.50. They also explained that the shock problem reported was just the way the car was designed and that because there was no weight on it would move a little, the mechanic then also informed us that this was a common problem on the new model Corsas and that Vauxhall had released a press release to garages explaining this. They did check the shock on the wheel and didn’t see any problems.
What should I do about the MOT garage that failed the car and also quoted for work on the car that didn’t need fixing?
We then took our new car to the garage for its first MOT, thinking that it would pass without anything big needing doing. We were then told by the garage it had failed to our shock. They told me (via telephone) it had failed on three things:
- Not enough water in the window washer.
- The handbrake had excessive movement possibly from over use.
- Front left shock had excessively moved in the upper area.
When we got to the garage and saw the failed report, it stated some slightly different problems:
- The front washer did not allow enough spray
- The handbrake needed a whole new lever
- And the front shock had excessive movement.
The garage then wanted £300 plus VAT, plus the MOT cost. The mechanic had written the price of all the work next to each item on the failure notice, which we still have. To say I was a little shocked would be an understatement. I was so shocked I wanted a second opinion. I spoke with a different garage and explained the year and miles of the car and the problems it had and it failing the MOT. They were also shocked. If the work still needed doing, it would put my mind a rest. I had the pay the garage for the failed MOT (£40).
The car was then retested at a different garage and their test found that it only needed a new window blade and the handbrake lever needed two bolts tightening. All in all it then cost £61.50. They also explained that the shock problem reported was just the way the car was designed and that because there was no weight on it would move a little, the mechanic then also informed us that this was a common problem on the new model Corsas and that Vauxhall had released a press release to garages explaining this. They did check the shock on the wheel and didn’t see any problems.
What should I do about the MOT garage that failed the car and also quoted for work on the car that didn’t need fixing?
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Comments
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trading standards maybe interested, local rag. You could confront the garage and ask for your MOT fee back. VOSA might also be interested.
I'm sure more will be along shortly to advise on best course of action, but atleast you now know not to use that garage!!Everyones opinion is the most important.....no wonder nothing is ever agreed on.0 -
You've learnt as to why your old renault was costing a fortune then every mot if it was the same garage you used, and you now know to use another garage so two valuable things learnt. I believe in this case it would be worthwhile contacting vosa which is on the back of your new mot certificate.0
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Garages do get prosecuted for this type of thing, report to trading standards.
http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/8377771.Pope_s_Garage_boss_guilty_of_MOT_scam/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-116851830 -
how do you know that the other garage received the memo from Vauxhall regarding the front shocks? Years ago when i was a tester i failed 3 cars (all citroens i think) for having excess play in the rack, if it werent for the fact i had 3 of the same model failing within 4 weeks due to the same fault i wouldnt have contacted the main dealers for advice to be told that it was a design tolerance and it was ok to pass it.Be Alert..........Britain needs lerts.0
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paddedjohn wrote: »how do you know that the other garage received the memo from Vauxhall regarding the front shocks? Years ago when i was a tester i failed 3 cars (all citroens i think) for having excess play in the rack, if it werent for the fact i had 3 of the same model failing within 4 weeks due to the same fault i wouldnt have contacted the main dealers for advice to be told that it was a design tolerance and it was ok to pass it.
Surely though the limits are set by VOSA who set the MOT not the manufacturers?? If it were they could say what they like when they make a huge !!!! up and call it a "design tolerance".Everyones opinion is the most important.....no wonder nothing is ever agreed on.0 -
paddedjohn wrote: »how do you know that the other garage received the memo from Vauxhall regarding the front shocks? Years ago when i was a tester i failed 3 cars (all citroens i think) for having excess play in the rack, if it werent for the fact i had 3 of the same model failing within 4 weeks due to the same fault i wouldnt have contacted the main dealers for advice to be told that it was a design tolerance and it was ok to pass it.
paddedjohn- A few days ago I took my 02 saxo for test. It passed but advisory threw up "slight play at steering wheel." Could that be the rack issue that you have mentioned? Thanks0 -
the play i found was in the rack itself when the wheels were rocked side to side and not at the steering wheel, when i say a few years ago i mean 10-15 and im not 100% sure that it was citroen or renault, i think it was something to do with the need to check for play with the engine running whereas i only checked for leaks and checked for play without it running. i do remember having to refund 2 of the customers and got a bo**oking off my then boss.Be Alert..........Britain needs lerts.0
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paddedjohn wrote: »is the play in the wheel up and down or when turning the wheel?
To be honest I don't know. I've never felt what I would call play. There is a slight wander to the right. I would suggest the play is when turning the wheel. Worst case scenario at next test, if I had to have rack changed what are we looking at? Thanks. south wales.0 -
with the engine off rock the steering left and right, any play could be at the rack/steering arms etc, if no play then put one hand at 12 oclock and the other at 6 oclock and try pushing up and down, if this has play then it could be a column bush.
depending on the model saxo you have i would think about £150/£180 would get you a rack, if you needed one that isBe Alert..........Britain needs lerts.0
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