What do you think?????

becks.989

I had my MOT done in the middle of january at a local garage. i went to pick it up and it had failed. The garage order new brake discs and a back reg plate and asked me to come back the next day and he would do the work.

I drove the car home (approx 2 miles) and there was a loud knocking sound coming from the passenger back end.:eek:

i took the car back the next day and told the bloke about the banging and he said he would check it over for me whilst fitting the brake discs.

I picked the car up 2 hours later and there was only a receptionist at the garage, they had done the work (all £290 worth) but he hadn't been able to find were the banging was coming from. The car had passed the mot so he had left a message to say the sound would go away the car was safe.

Ok i thought.

The banging has not gone away so i took the car to another garage this week and they took the wheel of and said it is a wonder i am not dead as the shock absorber had snapped.:eek:

The garage fixed this for me (another £150) and the car is now fine. But surley the car should never have passed the mot like that. I carry my two young children round in that car and hate to think what could have happened to them.

i know the shock absorber could have snapped whilst i had the car, this is not what i am mad about. It is the fact that i was told the car was safe to drive and really it was a death trap.

Any advice on what i can do, I am so MAD.:mad:

Thank you

Wig

becks.989 wrote: »

I had my MOT done in the middle of january at a local garage. i went to pick it up and it had failed. The garage order new brake discs and a back reg plate and asked me to come back the next day and he would do the work.

For sure it should not have passed.

As the fault was present at the time the vehicle passed, I believe it would have been possible to sue the MOT tester to pay for the repair costs, I'm not sure what law this comes under but I do know it exists, esp for severe rust. I don't see why it should not be applied to suspension.

Now that the car has been repaired I'm not sure how this will affect your ability to recover your costs from the MOT station. You could ask trading standards for some advice.

Normal procedure would be have the car rechecked by VOSA within 28 days or 3 months where severe corrosion is concerned. You then sue the garage for the cost of repairs. However I'm not sure if the VOSA inspection would be absolutely necessary in a severe case.'

In the event you do want an inspection by VOSA it is important not to do any work on the car. Unfortunaltely you have broken this rule.

If you want to phone VOSA for advice, call them on 01792 470470

mrbadexample

Wig wrote: »

In the event you do want an inspection by VOSA it is important not to do any work on the car. Unfortunaltely you have broken this rule.

It's still worth reporting though. VOSA may have had previous complaints against the garage in question, and it may help them build a case. The garage who inspected the broken shock may give a statement to that effect.

Conor_3

To be fair, it's not a deathtrap and the garage who told you it was a wonder you're not dead are being over sensationalist. If it had been a front one, they'd have had a point but with a rear one, the average person wouldn't notice a difference, especially by the number of knackered rear ones I've seen about. And £150 to replace a rear shock absorber is an absolutely disgusting price - you've been had. It's not even an hour to change one and I doubt it cost more than £50.

You are correct about the MOT and I would report it to VOSA but anonymously as they can insist you take the car to them for them to inspect and they may revoke the MOT. As others have said, your right to redress has gone because you had it repaired.

jeannieblue

The garage where you had the shock repair done can back you up - it should not have passed the retest when you had the brakes done and recommend you do speak to VOSA for some advice.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Gotta get rid of the cowboys, they give us all a bad name.

Just out of interest, what make of vehicle is it? 150 sounds a lot but it would depend on price of the shock - and an hours labour to fit. I know - before anyone jumps in - that pattern shocks are available for most vehicles, but cheapest is not always the best.

Conor_3

I was thinking Monroes..

jeannieblue

Conor wrote: »

I was thinking Monroes..

Er.............. am I missing something here?????????

Possibly Or not

Conor_3

Yeah...was replying to the last bit of the post above mine about cheap shockers. Should've quoted it really.

jeannieblue

Conor wrote: »

Yeah...was replying to the last bit of the post above mine about cheap shockers. Should've quoted it really.

Ah....

And there was me thinking - Marilyn.. ?

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

The car wasn't a death trap, so don't worry. Each wheel on your car sits below a spring and a shock absorber. They work together, the spring takes up any lumps and bumps in the road, and the shock absorber controls the spring so that it doesn't bounce too much.

Ok its a layman's explanation but thats basically what they do. You can usually tell a dead shock, push down on the corner of a car, if it bounces back up, then down, then up a little, before resting, the shock has gone to shock-heaven.

Can I suggest that in future you take your car to be MOT'd at a council-run MOT station. They are legally obliged to provide MOT services, and they are not allowed to make repairs.

becks.989

Hi, Thanks for all the replies.

I am going to report them. When i can work out how to do it.

My car is a renault scenic, all the other parts i have ever paid for for it have been really expensive so i didn't even question the price (although this is for 2 back shocks as i wanted them both changed together) I would usually get the parts off the web and get a mate to fix them but with what the garage said i just wanted it done ASAP.

I will let you know of any progress.