An MOT fail but it could be worse!

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DSM10000

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I booked the MOT for today a few weeks early as I normally do.

It failed on the: "Nearside front (rear lower) suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint"

Not really anything to get upset about at 107,000 miles. The garage will sort it next week and then issue the new MOT, typically of a small local garage they did not want payment for the MOT today as "we will sort it all out next week sir"

There was an advisory regarding wear to the outer edge of the nearside front tyre of which I was aware, could the play in the ball joint have caused this? I am getting the tracking adjusted and new tyres but will wait until the suspension arm is replaced.

The emissions were very good, CO <0.200% HC 6PPM and the Lamda value was 1.001. They charge £50 per hour labour so I imagine about £180 including the MOT and repair for another 12 months of motoring:thumb:
 
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There was an advisory regarding wear to the outer edge of the nearside front tyre of which I was aware, could the play in the ball joint have caused this? I am getting the tracking adjusted and new tyres but will wait until the suspension arm is replaced.

Very possible that it is the cause but once the balljoint has been changed it might be worth spending £30 on getting the alignment checked at an establishment that knows what they are doing with MB alignment.

If it were me I'd consider doing both ball joints as the other side probably isn't far off failing. Use a decent brand of BJ, either OEM or Lemforder or something as you don't want to have to have the job redone in 12 months or so as most of the cost is labour.
 
Very possible that it is the cause but once the balljoint has been changed it might be worth spending £30 on getting the alignment checked at an establishment that knows what they are doing with MB alignment.

If it were me I'd consider doing both ball joints as the other side probably isn't far off failing. Use a decent brand of BJ, either OEM or Lemforder or something as you don't want to have to have the job redone in 12 months or so as most of the cost is labour.

The other side was replaced a year ago. I have a local MB specialist who will set the tracking, I asked what maufacturer of parts they use and they said Lemforder.:thumb:
 
LOL... thats why I normally replace them in pairs. :D


Ah yes but that was done by the selling garage as it was picked up as faulty by my MB specialist 3 days after they had passed it for an MOT so I did not pay for that one!

Any idea as how much the arm should be anyone?
 
Not sure if you need the whole arm on yours or just the £10 balljoint.
 
Not sure if you need the whole arm on yours or just the £10 balljoint.

That would be nice!:)
 
Well it is fixed, total cost was £275.68 which was higher than I expected.

One hours labour to remove, refit and track at £50, the MOT test fee of £54.85 and the part described as a "cross strut- near side rear lower suspension arm" at £134 plus VAT.
 
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How much for the MOT?.

Where to where I live an MOT only costs £27. Other places doing the same at similar prices. Depending where you go of course.
 
How much for the MOT?.

Where to where I live an MOT only costs £27. Other places doing the same at similar prices. Depending where you go of course.

£54.85 is the standard fee.
 
Does anyone have a picture of the part that was replaced ("cross strut- near side rear lower suspension arm" ) as I was curious as exactly what has been replaced and if £134 was a reasonable price for such a part.

Thanks in advance.
 
How much for the MOT?.

Where to where I live an MOT only costs £27. Other places doing the same at similar prices. Depending where you go of course.


£27 for me too and has been for the last three MB MOT's.

A MB main dealer loss leader to get you in the dealership.
 
£27 for me too and has been for the last three MB MOT's.

A MB main dealer loss leader to get you in the dealership.


To then empty your wallet .................................:D
 
I took the sludge-burner in for it's test this morning and collected a fail for o/s track rod end worn, due to not being able to check things over beforehand.
I bought a new Lemforder part from (Boo-Hiss) ECP :D and had it fitted then 4 wheel aligned.

Just need to get it back now for the pass to be issued and recover from the undiscounted price at ECP...oh and the very, very, very, slow counter service.
(No discount due to being counter service)

The alignment centre made an error first time so I took it straight back and now all measurements are absolutely spot on, with zero thrust angle.
 
I took the sludge-burner in for it's test this morning and collected a fail for o/s track rod end worn, due to not being able to check things over beforehand.
I bought a new Lemforder part from (Boo-Hiss) ECP :D and had it fitted then 4 wheel aligned.

Just need to get it back now for the pass to be issued and recover from the undiscounted price at ECP...oh and the very, very, very, slow counter service.
(No discount due to being counter service)

The alignment centre made an error first time so I took it straight back and now all measurements are absolutely spot on, with zero thrust angle.

I cannot see any part on ECP that relates to the part I had to have replaced that costs £134. I think I will ring MB and ask what the retail price for the lower rear suspension arm is.

I was not exactly impressed with the garage that did the MOT and repair. I asked for the car to be ready at 14:00, they did call to say they were running late and it would be 15:00 but they would call. I eventually received a calll at 16:00 to be told it was ready but they were closing so could I please hurry up!
 

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