M.0.T rant!!!

Wig

larmy16 wrote: »

No, the car was taken back for a fresh MOT as I had to think about and find someone to do the work. I knew I would be paying the full price. Yes I will be paying for a new MOT when they fix second lamp.

What I am cross about is their mechanic saying they would have to send off for a complete new headlamp, which would take time, be very expensive. blah blah, when clearly the headlamp itself was fine, just needed re-bolting. When we looked at the previously fine headlamp to see just what was needed to faulty headlamp No. 1, it all appeared to be without fault.

How come they can just fix headlamp number two and I don't need a complete new headlamp?

I don't understand. For one thing no rules have changed in the last few weeks AFAIK.

If you returned it within 10 days there should have been a partial retest fee (half price).

If you returned it after 10 days, a full retest is appropriate - Then you say they failed 1 headlamp on this full retest. Is that all?

You now have choices*
1. You can let them fix it within 10 days for a FREE retest
2. You can take it away and return it within 1 day for a FREE retest
3. You can return it within 10 days for HALF price retest

*But as you have now left it with them, you have restricted yourself to option 1 (assuming they have started working on it), if not both other options are still open to you.

larmy16

Wig, he told me one day only and then I would have to pay for yet another full MOT. I was told this at 6.30 last night and I could not be sure anyone else could fix it in that time. I have spent all this money so far and felt it was my only option!

I overheard them telling another customer that due to new MOT rules they only had one day in which to get the work done for a retest. Oh I am confused by it all. All I know is I am dreading that they decide there is something else wrong with it. I won't be using them again that is for sure.

PS. thanks for the info anyway. I felt so sorry for the other customers being told oh you have to pay £578 - all really big amounts of money. Owning a car is sure expensive.

This one is deffo going for scrap after and if we get one more year out of it. Shame as its a damn reliable car. Always goes, whatever the weather.

PS. To answer your question, yes they did fail it on the other headlamp, the one that was ok about 14 days ago.

anewman

larmy16 wrote: »

I feel the garage were miffed that I took the work elsewhere.

It's the way it should work in my opinion. Garages shouldn't fail your car to drum up business for themselves. I have found a non local authority MOT test centre in my area that only does MOT and doesn't do work. Bonus is the MOT test fee is only £40 and you can get booked in much sooner than the local authority one which you'd be waiting a month or so for.

anewman

larmy16 wrote: »

Wig, he told me one day only and then I would have to pay for yet another full MOT.

Sounds like he was BSing to me as he wanted to make money. I'd be reporting this guy to VOSA.

Wig

Please say what date was the first test? (ok, I see your edit above says 14 days ago.)
What date was the second test? Yesterday - 18th Feb?

If yesterdays test was a full test, and it ONLY failed on one headlamp, I am almost positive (99%) You have the 3 options I gave to you above.

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/repository/MOT%20Fees%20and%20Appeals%20Poster%20Nov.%2006.V1.1.pdf

My only 1% of doubt is whether "lamps" includes a headlamp that is loose - I would think it does.

It may be that he was using weasel words "If you want a free retest - you will have to leave it with us" That is true for some fails but not for your fail of 1 headlamp. What he is failing to point out is that if it is returned within 10 days only half price retest applies to ALL types of failure.

larmy16

Hi Wig, I cannot tell you the exact date as they have the failure notice there but I was fully aware that we were out of the ten days allowance so would have to pay another fee. I thought I would get the work done elsewhere as once before they had to replace a back light unit, and not only did they send off for the part from the original manufacturer, it took ages and cost me about £450 in all. This car only cost me £400 in the first place!!!

No worries, I just wanted to let off a little steam.

larmy16

Hah - I am getting paranoid now - imagining their receptionist checks into MSE and is reading this!!!!:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::o

anewman

larmy16 wrote: »

Hah - I am getting paranoid now - imagining their receptionist checks into MSE and is reading this!!!!:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::o

Unlikely, they're probably at https://www.thievingmoneyoffmotcustomers.com :rotfl:

larmy16

Thanks for the link, but unfortunately not working. I would have liked to read that!:)

Wig

It was a joke link

Don't let them charge you for the retest, they are not allowed to.