Quick question regading MOT's

RICK..._2

Mum took her Astra for MOT last Thursday, failed on rear brake pipes only. Got them fixed on Friday elsewhere as MOT place were trying to rip her off. She's just took it back and they're refusing to pass it as the handbrake isn't 'how he would like it'

I've not had to MOT a car for quite some years now, so a bit of a grey area for me. But I always assumed that the re-test only checked the parts it failed on had been fixed?

Is the MOT tester right to refuse to pass it again? Handbrake is same as it was the last time he checked it and he didn't note anything then....

BillTrac

He's probably p****d off that she had the repairs done elsewhere...

but he can easily refuse her an MOT. Most MOTs (look no apostrophe!) are based on the tester's opinion

[Deleted User]

Report him to VOSA and write bad reviews about him on local review websites. Then take car for MOT elsewhere.

scotsbob

Check here for the test in detail

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Catalogue%20of%20Defects.pdf

Get the tester to specify the descriptor on which he is failing, because a vague "how he would like it to be" is neither satisfactory nor acceptable.

Then, either follow the appeal procedure or get the MOT done elswhere. Bear in mind that if you take it elsewhere, that testing station will have access to the database on which the fail is recorded and I assume they will pay very special attention to the brakes.

wantonnoodle

I agree, he's probably being picky because you got it fixed elsewhere.

I personally would go find your local council MOT testing centre and get them to test. They are mentioned here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot#hidden

They don't do repairs so don't have any incentive to "fail" the vehicle to get extra money for the rectification work. As a result, you are more likely to get a fair test. Many a garage near where I come from has a reputation for being excessively pedantic about the MOT standards, just so that they can try and get you to have an (often unnecessary) repair done with them meaning more profit for them.

mikey72

Unless someone contradicts me, the mot should be a re test only on the failed items.
If the brake pipes failed visually, that's all they should look at.
Braking efficiency should not be retested.

I would tell him to issue the fail certificate, and advise him you will be appealing to vosa, ask him if he has the complaint form.

PaulyB71

If the car is taken to another garage for the repairs to be made, the testing station will have to perform a full test. That being said, saying the handbrake isn't quite as he likes it isn't really a reason to fail.

colino

There is only a very limited number of items in the MOT that can be fixed (elsewhere) and qualify for a partial and free re-test. Changing brake pipes isn't one of them and while I agree the tester has to be more specific about the handbrake failure, he is entitled to complete a full MOT and charge again.

Premier_2

mikey72 wrote: »

Unless someone contradicts me, the mot should be a re test only on the failed items.
If the brake pipes failed visually, that's all they should look at.
Braking efficiency should not be retested.

I would tell him to issue the fail certificate, and advise him you will be appealing to vosa, ask him if he has the complaint form.

OK, I'll contradict you

Notwithstanding the details of the original failure (and hence whether or not only that item needs to be re-examined)

...the Tester may conduct a full re-inspection if at the Tester’s discretion it is deemed necessary...

http://www.motester.co.uk/CarOwnersGuidetoTheMOT/FreeRetestItems.aspx

Nine_Lives

BillTrac wrote: »

MOTs (look no apostrophe!)

Oh
My
God.

....*walks back out of thread shaking head*

Premier_2

RICK... wrote: »

... She's just took it back and they're refusing to pass it as the handbrake isn't 'how he would like it'...

So what does the full description of the failed item say, as this wording (alone) is not possible on the failure document?