Another MOT passed along with a slightly expensive service......but still happy :)

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DSM10000

Hardcore MB Enthusiast
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Jul 12, 2011
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Near Salisbury
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E32O CDi Sport, MX5 1.8 Sport, Range Rover 5.0 SC, BMW X1
Although I had received the 6 month MOT extension I did not want to let the car go that long without a check over plus it was slightly overdue a service due to a combination of my MB Specialist being closed for a month during the initial lockdown and then both of us contracting C19!

As usual I gave him two days to sort out the service and MOT in case he needed to order in any parts. He outsources the MOT to another garage on the same Industrial estate and his practice is to test drive the car, scan it with Star, service it whilst checking over and correcting any obvious MOT issues and then put the car in for test.

I had noticed an exhaust rattle and , I thought a slight knock form the front suspension so these were investigated as well because last year the MOT tester noted "slight play in a ball joint but not excessive". This "slight play" was almost imperceptible according to my Specialist and indeed the MOT tester did not mention it (same tester!).

The exhaust however had a number of issues. There was a loose heat shield, two brackets had corroded and a brace between the rear boxes had snapped so new parts were made and welded into place so the system is now fully braced. The knock I heard turned out to be a loose electrical connector in the dashboard.

MOT was passed with no issues and the smoke test was 0.19, last year it was 0.30, unsure if this is just down to normal variation or the regular use of injector cleaner? Not bad for a car that is now just shy of 137,000 miles.

The service and MOT came to £671. This was for 5.75 hours labour which was more than normal but included the time looking for and fixing the rattle plus all of the work on the exhaust.

It also included the usual Oil (Mobil 1) oil filter, cabin filter, fuel filter, rear brake pads, fit and adjust new Xenon bulbs (supplied by me), replace batteries in both keys, fuel cleaner, 3 new engine cover mounting rubbers and the standard £1 for screenwash.

That came to £522 before VAT and the MOT at £54.

Overall considering the work carried out I was not unhappy and I have peace of mind that the car has been properly checked over by the garage with a confirmation (for what it is worth) by the MOT Station.

My Specialist (who likes to chat) said that the car was overall in excellent condition and well looked after so hopefully another year of trouble free motoring lies ahead :)
 
Always good when you have a guy you can trust to do the job, it makes things so much easier and knowing that sort of reassures you when you go to pay the bill.

I'm quite chuffed with my MOT on the E55 for £54.85 all in plus £45 to charge the aircon.

On a couple of cars I specifically instruct the guy to do a "pre MOT" on it saying I'm more than happy to pay for 2 MOT's as I just don't want a fail recorded or an advisory.
He hasn't found any faults on any and just charges the full MOT cost rather than reduced ~£40 cost and I'm more than happy with that.
 
Always good when you have a guy you can trust to do the job, it makes things so much easier and knowing that sort of reassures you when you go to pay the bill.
Indeed

He always gives a list of advisories from his inspection and service.

All were trivial; some light corrosion on a suspension spring (now wire brushed and coated with Hammerite smooth black), slight corrosion on OSF brake pipe (about 8 inches of very light corrosion, rubbed over with wire wool and a coat of silver paint), very slight play in rear suspension rose joints not requiring attention.

He always goes through each item with you to point out that these are just things he has noticed and that they are not of concern and do not need any immediate attention.
 

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