MOT rip-off: what to do?

[Sp!ke]

Really? I've never seen this. If the strut is attached to the balljoint how do you separate the strut from the wishbone? I'm not saying its not true, but I now need to go and look at the fische to understand this.

OOOH!

I've never played around with any front setup like this on a car (looks similar to a leading link motorcycle front end)

Looks Exbenzive but as Olly says, there appears top be a number of balljoints so without knowing which particular joint is at fault its impossible to comment on the cost to fix.

 

[jaymanek]

I took the car to the garage to get the fault repaired, and they phoned me back to say there was no fault. The car then went to an MOT station, who confirmed this and passed the car. I will contact the initial MOT station again tomorrow and request a refund of the fee they charged me. If they refuse, then I will go via VOSA.

I think you will find you will get nowhere with VOSA.

Something like a ball joint is a matter of opinion and VOSA will probably side with the garage for being thorough.

If the garage wanted to fail your car to get work, they could pick from a thousand other easier to replace and higher profit parts.

Just because another garage or two say its ok, doesnt mean it is necessarily.

If you really want to get to the bottom of it, take the car back to the garage and ask the tester to demostrate the fault.

 

[kwakdonut]

We use a local Vauxhall dealer for MOTs and some repairs as its only 100m from our office and the guys are generally friendly and helpful. However they failed my wifes car on low rear brake pads, I took the car away to put a new set in, only to find the brake pads they failed were hardly worn at all, as I had the new set I put them in anyway. I took the car back for retesting and took the old pads with me to show they still had plenty of life left. The MOT tester was not in that day but it was explained to me that its impossible to see the pads properly , so I asked how can it fail if it cant be seen, I just got waffle then. There were no problems with the brake test. Its a shame these things happens just to create work, I thought about reporting to VOSA but I didnt want to stir up any trouble as we use them all the time. However if it was a garage I only used for MOTs then I would report them and go elsewhere.

My car (a 2003 E320), appears to get an advisory every year from the MOT test. Because of the design of the (standard fit) alloy wheels and the shape of the front brake callipers, you just cannot physically see the brake pads to check.
I must admit I found it strange, being a primary system on the car - the design doesn't make it easy!

 

[flango]

You can't fail a car for low brake pads it either passes the brake test or it doesn't

 

[Rory]

^ Exactly. Be intereresting to know what the failure code was.

 

[The mallard]

Is it not a failure if the tester can be sure the brake pad thickness is below 1.5mm. If he cannot be sure, he can only 'advise' the fault.

 

[dokalj]

Hi all,

I hope everyone is well.

Out of interest, does VOSA make annual inspections to all the MOT test stations? Or only if requested by an individual?

Thanks

dokalj

 

[flango]

Is it not a failure if the tester can be sure the brake pad thickness is below 1.5mm. If he cannot be sure, he can only 'advise' the fault.

Brake pads are only inspected if visible and then if anything is wrong it would only be an advisory as long as it passes the brake efficiency test. If they are not visible then there is no requirement to inspect them.

 

[flango]

Hi all,

I hope everyone is well.

Out of interest, does VOSA make annual inspections to all the MOT test stations? Or only if requested by an individual?

Thanks

dokalj

Usually more than annual, last year (2010) we had 2 x visits from VOSA, 1 x Visit from Trading Standards and one test car sent anonymously by VOSA. So yes they check and check thoroughly, pleased to say we passed every one with flying colours and still have a 100% rating with VOSA and TS :bannana:

 

[corned]

Speaking of Flanaia1 and 211s and ball joints - see you Thursday Ian!!!

 

[dokalj]

Usually more than annual, last year (2010) we had 2 x visits from VOSA, 1 x Visit from Trading Standards and one test car sent anonymously by VOSA. So yes they check and check thoroughly, pleased to say we passed every one with flying colours and still have a 100% rating with VOSA and TS :bannana:

Nice one!

Can an individual find out how well an MOT station has done?

dokalj

 

[flango]

Nice one!

Can an individual find out how well an MOT station has done?

dokalj

I think you can check their rating with VOSA but I'm not really sure, I'll ask VOSA the question.

 

[dokalj]

Out of interest are ARB's down to the MOT person on the day? I.e. are they necessary? The only reason I am asking is because my vehicle has had problems reported on previous MOT's and then my MOT station picks up different problems and an Indy said a different part has failed, which wouldnt pass an MOT and the ride is a little bumpy. Saying that I took the car to Kwik fit and they said the front ARB are gone.

 

[renault12ts]

In NI MOT testing is government owned and centrally operated. The centres do the testing and have no interest in repairs or servicing. In general it works very well indeed. However, the prats on the Hill, want to go the way you guys have it...madness.

 

[rizzer]

Is it not a failure if the tester can be sure the brake pad thickness is below 1.5mm. If he cannot be sure, he can only 'advise' the fault.

The tester reported rear brake pads were below 1.5mm, although he could not see to inspect them. When removed all four pads were around 5mm thick. The code used was 3.5.1f. The brake performance was fine.

 

[kusanku]

Just a quick follow up to my tales of woe with the rip-off MOT centre. On the VOSA website, you can opt to have another MOT test done, which of course you must pay for. The money is refunded if the car passes. Having paid for two MOT tests already, I was not keen to shell out for a third, so I photocopied all the relevant documentation and sent it off with a letter of complaint about the garage to VOSA. They did not respond at all. In fact, they went to the trouble of sending the whole lot back to me, without even having the courtesy to included a letter of explanation.

With an attitude like that, hardly surprising these dodgy MOT centres get away with it.

 

[Tiff]

Is it not a failure if the tester can be sure the brake pad thickness is below 1.5mm. If he cannot be sure, he can only 'advise' the fault.

It is a failure if you can clearly see the pads-even the shoes if you have an inspection hole. If unsure-you advise it, this is what advisories are for. VOSA say, if in doubt, pass and advise.This goes for any part on the MOT. Things like the Lotus Elise are fun, as the entire underside is shielded, you can't see much at all..

On older Mercs where the spring and shock are 2 seperate parts, you MUST jack the car under the wishbones to check the balljoints, otherwise the force of the spring will hide any play. Even the ATL ramps can miss this if not checked properly, and I'm sure you can all imagine the carnage of a balljoint going at speed. Luckily they do seem to let go at vary low speed if they are really badly worn. The best giveaway on W201's and W124's is a creaking from the steering whilst manouvreing- if you hear this, get them checked PROPERLY ASAP.

I've been a tester for a long time now, and still see people checking balljoints and suspension incorrectly.

 

[john925]

I would say Use a test station that doesnt carry out repairs Then they have no motive to fail a car !