MOT - unusual advisory

[kianok]

I am always amazed people take their cars to Halfords for an MOT test.

Why?

had two without any issues and they didn’t try to sell me anything.

In fact one was free!

 

[ChipChop]

Why?

had two without any issues and they didn’t try to sell me anything.

In fact one was free!

There are plenty of independent garages with good reputations you can use for an MOT not a chain like Halfords. The notion that you get the same level of expertise at Halfords that you will get at an independent local specialist is ludicrous.

 

[kianok]

There are plenty of independent garages with good reputations you can use for an MOT not a chain like Halfords. The notion that you get the same level of expertise at Halfords that you will get at an independent local specialist is ludicrous.

What’s your point?

That you should only use independent garages or that Halfords don’t comply to DVSA’s testing standards?

 

[KennyN]

The notion that you get the same level of expertise at Halfords that you will get at an independent local specialist is ludicrous.

We are talking about an MOT , not an engine rebuild. Do you thing the qualified MOT tester at Halfords is any less qualified to carryout an MOT than one at a "specialist".

We have all our cars done at Halfords (Paisley) and never had an issue , it it failed on anything it has been a fact and we have never been upsold any work over the last five years we have been using them.

That is why my BM + Porsche will be going in next month to be tested.

K

 

[jamesfuller]

Did he ask you for approval to remove anything from your car?
If not, make an official complain.

But then maybe we would be reading about how the tester failed the test and didn't use discretion?

 

[jamesfuller]

I am always amazed people take their cars to Halfords for an MOT test.

All testers have to be qualified to level 3 plus mot training and all work from the same manual. Upsell is something that comes from servicing, either preventative maintenance or from the view that a part may not make it to the next scheduled service. An MOT test is specific to the time of the test.

 

[ChipChop]

What’s your point?

That you should only use independent garages or that Halfords don’t comply to DVSA’s testing standards?

I would have thought my point is very clear. Use a local independent not a national chain just like you probably do when you get your car serviced. Try taking a 30 year old car to Halfords for the newly qualified mot tester to examine. Maybe his / her / it's vast experience will inform them that a missing jacking hole rubber bung is not a rust hole.

I am sure though some Halfords branches are fine at testing cars that have just reached their third birthday.

 

[tonysmb]

Just had my MOT done by Halfords. The phone holders that fit in the vents move about so I got a suction pad one. I fitted it by the right hand A pillar.

They took the phone holder off and put an advisory - item removed from driver view prior to test. Really???

I think you'll find that satnavs are not allowed to be fixed to windscreen, assuming yours was, it's a failure. It does say that tester can remove with permission; it sounds as if he/she was actually doing you a favour.

Funny old world, people moan when somebody tries to help them.

eta
Copy/paste from gov uk mot site:
You can remove items such as a sat nav or air fresheners that obstruct the driver’s view of the road. However, make sure you tell the driver.

Nb, not ask permission, simply 'tell the driver'.

 

[kianok]

I would have thought my point is very clear. Use a local independent not a national chain just like you probably do when you get your car serviced. Try taking a 30 year old car to Halfords for the newly qualified mot tester to examine. Maybe his / her / it's vast experience will inform them that a missing jacking hole rubber bung is not a rust hole.

I am sure though some Halfords branches are fine at testing cars that have just reached their third birthday.

No hence why I asked.

I have three reasons for using Halfords.

1. It was free.
2. convenience.
3. I don’t drive an old rust bucket.

 

[ChipChop]

No hence why I asked.

I have three reasons for using Halfords.

1. It was free.
2. convenience.
3. I don’t drive an old rust bucket.

Fair enough. Free MOT testing is a compelling argument but i will stick to the MOT test stations i have always used.

Quick lesson about old Mercedes. They are not old rust buckets. They are appreciating assets as opposed to a depreciating asset such as a modern Mercedes.

 

[kianok]

They are appreciating assets as opposed to a depreciating asset such as a modern Mercedes.

Now you are being silly.

 

[neilrr]

Will:

"One of those threads…"


I honestly think some members here would be happier posting on AIBU? | Am I being unreasonable? | Mumsnet

 

[UrbanM]

Did he ask you for approval to remove anything from your car?
If not, make an official complain.

I used to be good at complaining. I find that these days you just give yourself more stress. I just put it back where it was.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

I have my mot done with my service at Mercedes, only £35.

Ditto

 

[BTB 500]

I have my mot done with my service at Mercedes, only £35.

They are £35/£30/£20 at the dealership I use, depending on the age of the car:

Platinum Programme Offer | Mercedes-Benz & Smart Car Offers From Sandown

Take a look at the platinum programme offer at Sandown. Filter the offers online until you find the right car for you.

www.sandown-group.co.uk

Until a few years ago they were free on my SL, but £20 now is still pretty good.

 

[MercedesDriver]

Official complaint ??
He should be praising the tester, it passed the MOT.
I seen someone in a mini the other day, she had her sat nav stuck over the speedo !!

But then maybe we would be reading about how the tester failed the test and didn't use discretion?

I used to be good at complaining. I find that these days you just give yourself more stress. I just put it back where it was.

The tester made a remark that phone holder stuck in a vent had obscured his vision?! I just don’t see how it could obscure anything but a vent and as I know vents are not an MOT item. He could have damaged it and then what? Oh, sorry Mr. Tester do as you’re pleased as long as the car passes the test. If the car is not road worthy it must fail but if the car is in good nick it must pass it. No ifs no buts it’s very simple and regulated by DVSA.

 

[Deleted member 159894]

The tester made a remark that phone holder stuck in a vent had obscured his vision?! I just don’t see how it could obscure anything but a vent and as I know vents are not an MOT item. He could have damaged it and then what? Oh, sorry Mr. Tester do as you’re pleased as long as the car passes the test. If the car is not road worthy it must fail but if the car is in good nick it must pass it. No ifs no buts it’s very simple and regulated by DVSA.

It was on the screen.

 

[MercedesDriver]

It was on the screen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey, can we just move this thing along, before it drives us all round the bloody bend?

 

[MrGreedy]

Did he ask you for approval to remove anything from your car?
If not, make an official complain.

The risk with this approach, which smacks of enforcing my rights at any expense instead of being a bit more understanding about what has happened, is that it leads to a 'Jobsworth' and work to rule culture, as the MOT tester would potentially be reprimanded for actually helping someone out in a possible grey area.

Next time there is a trivial issue that could/might be a fail, it will be a fail.


Sorry sir, your car has failed its MOT due to the mobile phone holder.

Couldn't you just remove it for me?

No sir, that is literally more than my job's worth.

 

[geoffus]

Don’t people realise you cannot restrict your view through the windscreen. ?
the tester did him a favour removing it, I can imagine his response when a policeman asks him why he didn’t see the motorcycle as he pulled out .