We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!

Car damaged by MOT centre

2

Comments

  • LittleMoo wrote: »
    Not a bad idea. It *shouldn't* fail, but if it does it should only be on a calliper.


    I wasn't expecting mine to fail. It didn't after I gave them £200 to fix it!
  • LittleMoo
    LittleMoo Posts: 122 Forumite
    I wasn't expecting mine to fail. It didn't after I gave them £200 to fix it!

    :) Never let the place that MOT's it do the work. It just encourages them to find things to fail it on!
  • LittleMoo
    LittleMoo Posts: 122 Forumite
    They've come back with the funniest solution....

    They've MOT'd it, without the barrel in (as they're still waiting for the part...) and said it's failed on such a long list of things that we'd be better off scrapping it. As a gesture of goodwill for the inconvenience they're willing to give us £100 and the car back unfixed.

    How generous of them! I'm sure it's nothing to do with them finding out it's going to cost them a ****load to mend the barrel and so they just want to throw £100 at it to go away... :think:

    I've told them we won't be scrapping it and we'll have the car back once they've mended the damage they've done and they can just give me a hire car until it's ready.
  • LittleMoo wrote: »
    :) Never let the place that MOT's it do the work. It just encourages them to find things to fail it on!

    I use the garage for both our cars and am on first name terms with all 3 MOT guys and they with me. In fact this is the first time my car has failed. It's done 96k miles and is 7 years old. They took me under the car and showed me why it had failed, showed me the difference afterwards and the old parts. It's like driving a new car now!
  • YoYoY
    YoYoY Posts: 281 Forumite
    LittleMoo wrote: »
    My car went in for it's MOT and they tried to start it using someone else's car key. This activated the anti-theft device and has immobilised it.

    They've had the car since Saturday morning and say that the lock specialist is still awaiting the part to repair it.

    Am I entitled to any compensation for the damage and inconvenience they've caused?

    What car is this you have, where the inadvertent use of an incorrect key permanently disables the car until a specialist repairs it?

    I'd really like to know so that I can avoid ever buying one ;)
  • mcjordi
    mcjordi Posts: 4,238 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    YoYoY wrote: »
    What car is this you have, where the inadvertent use of an incorrect key permanently disables the car until a specialist repairs it?

    I'd really like to know so that I can avoid ever buying one ;)

    same... ive never heard of a car doing that... sounds like theyve maybe snapped the key in the barrel if it needs replacing..
    Sealed pot challenger # 10
    1v100 £15/300
  • arcon5
    arcon5 Posts: 14,099 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I use the garage for both our cars and am on first name terms with all 3 MOT guys and they with me. In fact this is the first time my car has failed. It's done 96k miles and is 7 years old. They took me under the car and showed me why it had failed, showed me the difference afterwards and the old parts. It's like driving a new car now!

    I'm betting you use a local garage rather than a chain garage?
  • arcon5 wrote: »
    I'm betting you use a local garage rather than a chain garage?

    Nearly right! It's a 'chain' of three in three towns.
  • LittleMoo
    LittleMoo Posts: 122 Forumite
    It's a Rover 800. Apparently it's an anti-theft device they had fitted as standard on a lot of older cars. Never heard of it before personally and it seems a silly idea.
  • bod1467
    bod1467 Posts: 15,214 Forumite
    LittleMoo wrote: »
    It's a Rover 800.

    I can well imagine it has lots of issues - it's basically a poorly-built Honda Legend. ;)
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 353K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.8K Spending & Discounts
  • 246.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 602.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.8K Life & Family
  • 260K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.