Service and MOT

Lidon1

Hi
Dropped car off this morning for its yearly mot and service. Car is 15 years old had from new, an old A Class. Have been using local garage for this for years.
Just checked online says MOT failed due to
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i)).

Will be speaking to the garage later, but just wanted some insight into things.
Assuming now will have to repay for MOT test (its not failed before).
Would/should the service not have spotted this ?
As used the same garage just wondering how thorough they are.

Wondering if service would have spotted in the checks, then fixed prior to MOT?

Thanks

stator

If the garage do the repairs for you and a retest you shouldn't have to pay extra for the retest.


If you had the MOT and service done at the same time, does it matter whether they would have spotted it or not?

spadoosh

A service and MOT are different. A service is like eating healthily and exercising and an MOT is like going to your doctor. If you eat healthy and stay fit it should make thigns better for when you go to your doctor but that doesnt mean they wont find cancer.

Inner_Zone

You will have to ask the test station / garage.


The test station / garage I use do not do repairs but provided you take the car back within seven days they don't charge for the retest either.

Alfrescodave

Did the garage not phone you to say that the car had failed the MOT?

Mine does so that often the repair is done then and there. No extra MOT charge and no having to book it in another day for the work to be done.

Lidon1

stator wrote: »

If you had the MOT and service done at the same time, does it matter whether they would have spotted it or not?

Yes, car had a clean MOT, not failed before as stated. So if had spotted could have fixed prior to MOT.
Even if no MOT retest fee. Car now has black mark against it on MOT affecting resale values. OK not a lot as car not worth that much,

Lidon1

Garage did not call just looked online during lunch.

I'm wondering if part of a standard yearly service, whether this would have been checked, by reputable garages. If so then they would not have MOTd it to fail.

Thanks

DoaM

What's failed wouldn't likely be checked as a service item anyway, so it's a moot point. See post #3 ... that explains the general differences between a service and an MOT.

Lidon1

Thanks DoaM, that's what I was wondering

PDC

Lidon1 wrote: »

Even if no MOT retest fee. Car now has black mark against it on MOT affecting resale values. OK not a lot as car not worth that much,

I think I'd be more suspicious if I saw a 15 year old car that had never failed an MOT, this won't effect its resale value in any way so I woldn't worry about that part of it.

k6chris

Pretty much standard practice when an MOT and service are being done at the same time - MOT first - see what needs fixing, then do the service + fixing, then re-MOT it. This way fixing can be done at the same time as servicing, which saves them time and you money!