VW Polo MOT Failure

fabs35

Hi

I have a 2008 1.2 VW Polo (done 22,000 mile) that has failed it's MOT on the following:

1) Rack gaiter - O/S gaiter insecure (£111.97)
2) N/S/F lower suspension arm bush deteriorated causing excess movement (£172.57)
3) O/S/F lower suspension arm bush deteriorated causing excess movement (£172.57)

Has anyone else had similar issues with their Polo and are the repair quotes reasonable?

Any advice appreciated.

JustinR1979

1 could be a cable tie, guessing they want to fit a new one - still expensive.
Bushes, not sure, sounds a lot to me depending on parts prices.
Low miles and not that old to be deteriorated.
Would want a second opinion on all of that.

BeenThroughItAll

fabs35 wrote: »

Hi

I have a 2008 1.2 VW Polo (done 22,000 mile) that has failed it's MOT on the following:

1) Rack gaiter - O/S gaiter insecure (£111.97)
2) N/S/F lower suspension arm bush deteriorated causing excess movement (£172.57)
3) O/S/F lower suspension arm bush deteriorated causing excess movement (£172.57)

Has anyone else had similar issues with their Polo and are the repair quotes reasonable?

Any advice appreciated.

They're having a laugh. Steering rack gaiter 'insecure' could just need a new clip, about 50p plus ten minutes to fit. Equally, could need a new gaiter, perhaps £10 plus half an hour fitting.

A new lower arm costs about £30 retail from ECP (lower at trade price), and should take about an hour to fit at the outside.


I would hazard a guess at those prices that it's either a main dealer, or a Krap-Fit type outfit.

Fluff15

I got two rubber bushes done for £97 on my Toyota Yaris (after 87,000 miles so lasted a lot longer) and it's a small car but not much smaller than a Polo. I definitely think that that's too expensive, I would ring around and get a second opinion. Sounds like main dealer prices, you're better off taking your car to a (recommended) independent garage or one of those MOT places that only does MOTs (so they can't tie you in for repairs).

fabs35

Thanks guys for the replies.

The MOT and quotes are from a Halfords Autocentre - I should have believed all the negative reviews!! I fell for the service/MOT offer of £119.

Taking it to a recommended local independent garage in the morning - fingers crossed!

worried_jim

Take it to a real garage. Halfrauds, !!!!!!, when will people learn.

OP find a good indy near you and take it, also use your local council MOT center or if there is a "just MOT" chain use them.

JustinR1979

Pop a cable tie on and put it in for mot elsewhere, may well pass.
I used to do mot's, one of the best failures was a pug 405 with split bushes. This is the way they were designed, and peugeot did the mot....
You do get a fair bit of trying it on at times, and just plain stupid at others.
Think council mot places are a favourite as they have no interests in repairs.

attila_

They haven't explained which bush. There are two on each side. Front which is a small one embedded into the arm itself. The second a rear arm bush (still at the front) which fits into the console and you squeeze the arm inside.

It is a pig of a job. I replaced mine myself with poly bushes so they don't give anymore.

VW will charge £300 to change the rears and whilst you're there you may as well change the whole arm.

I would imagine you can get both done for £150/200.

attila_

Here is a the guide I used:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/92625-fabia-wishbone-bush-replacement-diy-guide/

Not saying do it yourself but at least you know what your part your looking at. Get them to clarify which bush it is.

Ebe_Scrooge

worried_jim wrote: »

Take it to a real garage. Halfrauds, !!!!!!, when will people learn.

OP find a good indy near you and take it, also use your local council MOT center or if there is a "just MOT" chain use them.

Just to echo what has been said here. A couple of weeks ago, arrived home on Friday evening, handbrake on, cable snapped. Bu&&er ! My local indy only works weekdays, need the car for work on Monday. Phoned the local branch of said cowboys for a quote - "Certainly Sir, £298, we can fit you in today". Bu&&er that, I thought, booked the Monday off work. Went down to trusted local man on Monday morning - "No problem, leave it with us". He presented me with a bill of £52. Nuff said.

Sure, I know Halfords, Kwik-fit etc. have more overheads than the local grease-monkey, but really - 6 times the price ???

fabs35

fabs35 wrote: »

Thanks guys for the replies.

The MOT and quotes are from a Halfords Autocentre - I should have believed all the negative reviews!! I fell for the service/MOT offer of £119.

Taking it to a recommended local independent garage in the morning - fingers crossed!

UPDATE - went to the local independent garage who failed on just the offside bush - they are charging £7 for the part and £55 for labour (including using a tie for the gaiter). Quite a difference!!

I think I've found a garage for life.