MOT Rip Off? Quoted £860! Please help

seatbeltnoob

prowla wrote: »

Now, I've taken a car to an MOT with marginal tyres because I wanted to see what other jobs needed doing first, so that is a valid strategy. The MOT place is 200 yards from the tyre place, so it's easy for me. (But of course the car would fail on that.)

The problem with leaving tyres off like that is once the MOT has declared the tyres unroadworthy, you can't even use the vehicle to drive it to a garage. it's condemned on the MOT record and police will have the information on file. You can't even plead ignorance because the MOT would have informed you.


Getting the tyre you want is a 2 day way minimum. Can be a bit longer, not all tyres are kept in stock at tyre places. I've make the mistake of taking borderline tyres in (saw 2mm thread on it), only to be told that the inner shoulder is bald and unroadworthy). I needed my car urgently so I had to put part worn tyres on mis-matched to the tyres on the other axle.

Robisere

You are one of the many people who buy cars without having a clue how to carry out simple maintenance and regular checks to help them keep an eye on any possible issues that may occur. Most of that information will be in the car's handbook. If it's no longer there, they are easy to find online.

The same thing happens with other consumer products today: people buying computers and similar devices, without any idea how to use them. They buy expensive, complex TV's and do not read the handbook. Buy flat pack furniture and refuse to read the instructions. I'm not saying they should enroll for a course to get the information, but there is information out there: libraries, books. These forums are full of people asking for help, after situations created by lack of knowledge and unpreparedness.

The price you have been quoted, will either be not beaten elsewhere, or will be not enough of a difference to make up for having it transported. It's a simple choice: pay it, or scrap it. Next time you buy a car, try to learn a little about simple maintenance and regular checks.

Boomslang

seatbeltnoob wrote: »

The reports are suspicious.

The previous owner obviously didn't think so, s/he got shot with just 3 months MOT remaining!

Joe_Horner

AdrianC wrote: »

The tester says they don't. He's looked at them with a beam tester [/url]

To be fair, the tester hasn't said they're not pointing forward, he's said that the beam pattern (NOT aim) is obviously wrong - which makes checking the aim impossible.

Bad beam pattern means wrong (LHD) or damaged or (very) dirty light units or wrong or badly fitted bulbs.

They may still point in roughly the proper direction, but they'll be scattering light in areas that they shouldn't, which can be just as much a problem for others as bad aim.

Arklight

It really depends how much you trust your garage. My local indy would only charge you for the bulb if that was an MOT fail (and nothing for labour), likewise they top screenwash up for nothing and their prices for tyres are about the same as a fast fit. Which made me pretty complacent when I used to take the old Almera in.

Of course she needed an exhaust doing and some welding eventually but as I'd saved a lot of money by never putting any oil in, I spent it on that.

The OPs car sounds like a shed though. Don't think I would bother.

Are you in the market for an Almera, OP?

silverwhistle

Arklight wrote: »

Are you in the market for an Almera, OP?

OP, don't buy one which hasn't had regular oil changes..:D


It all sounds like an expensive lesson. If you do shift work would a push bike work for you whilst you save? My current bike was second hand (£50) and I did a few repairs myself. Get decent lights and locks though!