Brake problem not picked up in MOT should I complain?

wgl2014

arcon5 wrote: »

What's the breakdown on the Bill?

+1

What damage was allegedly caused to the caliper by a worn out pad? I wouldn't be surprised if the pad backing scored the disc but wouldn't normally affect the caliper.

TheMoonandBack

As a former mechanic and MOT tester I would say you have no grounds to complain about the MOT test. The MOT test is a merely a test that the vehicle is safe to be on the road on the day of the test.
If the brakes pass the efficiency test, and the pads cannot be properly inspected with the wheels on, it could be ok at the time off the test, despite parts being on the verge of needing replacement.
As Tarambor states why weren’t the pads replaced at the previous service ? A vehicle properly maintained and serviced would not have this problem as the pads would be replaced before they wear out...
As for KwikFit - use them at your own risk. Would love to hear the explanation how a worn pad damages a caliper and £700 for discs, pads and a caliper is pretty steep (and that’s being polite !).
Having had a couple of Octavias myself I would say pads £30, discs £40 each, Caliper £150 ish and that’s full retail price. 1.5 hours labour max.

ssparks2003

tubbymalov wrote: »

Our 07 reg Skoda Octavia recently passed its MOT. We did not have a service at the same time as the garage could not fit the service on the same day.

Within a few weeks, there was a noise while braking and it transpired that the pad was worn .

On some cars the pads have metal in them that cause a noise when they need replacing, as an audible warning. It could be that your skoda has this. Either way i don't believe that you have a claim,

Jackmydad

The problem is not with the MOT, which "is what it is". A visual inspection on the day.
The problem is with people who think that an MOT makes the car "safe" and is an alternative to proper servicing.

The MOT serves it's purpose and hopefully keeps the worst of the old bangers off the road, which would be run until the wheels, literally, fell off. It's not a replacement for proper servicing though.

Muscle750

As stated the MOT is basically applied to the state of the car on that day I understand your point thou. Its like one car i looked at it passed the test however the sills behind the plastic sill covers were non existent rotten as all because on a test you cant see behind the covers

AdrianC

Muscle750 wrote: »

As stated the MOT is basically applied to the state of the car on that day I understand your point thou. Its like one car i looked at it passed the test however the sills behind the plastic sill covers were non existent rotten as all because on a test you cant see behind the covers

...and then people whinge because there's an advisory saying that undertrays meant full inspection wasn't possible.

Jackmydad

Muscle750 wrote: »

As stated the MOT is basically applied to the state of the car on that day I understand your point thou. Its like one car i looked at it passed the test however the sills behind the plastic sill covers were non existent rotten as all because on a test you cant see behind the covers

Let's admit it, most cars that have got to that stage are either going to have rust holes elsewhere, or are going to have other issues due to lack of maintenance.

As I said the test keeps the worst of the unloved old bangers off the road.
I can just remember the "ten year test" coming in. I was a small, car obsessed boy then. I can remember an old "sit up and beg" type car parked by the side of the road with the wings all rotten, and the tyres showing canvas. I said something about ti to dad, and he said something like "That'll be gone soon when the new test comes in"
There was a scrapyard up until mid / late 60s where those type of cars were piled up. Presumably from 1960 when the test cam in.

AdrianC

Jackmydad wrote: »

Let's admit it, most cars that have got to that stage are either going to have rust holes elsewhere, or are going to have other issues due to lack of maintenance.

Not by any stretch - plastic sill and arch covers are an absolute !!!!!! for promoting rot, as well as hiding it.

Jackmydad

AdrianC wrote: »

Not by any stretch - plastic sill and arch covers are an absolute !!!!!! for promoting rot, as well as hiding it.

Shows how long it is since I ran any real bangers!

Joe_Horner

AdrianC wrote: »

Not by any stretch - plastic sill and arch covers are an absolute !!!!!! for promoting rot, as well as hiding it.

Yep, whoever first suggested "let's fit bolt-on plastic water traps over structural areas near the salty road level so they'll keep looking good but be scrap in a decade" probably got a tasty bonus that year