MOT failure - what next?
Discussion
Same old, same old. The times we see threads started like this with what appears costly repairs.
Two words. SHOP AROUND.
Others repair agencies are available. Many will be better too at more reasonable prices.
Even if the OP is not too clever with the tools, every one of those tasks is well within the capabilities of any half decent DIYer.... Apparently the vehicle has been usused for ten months so surely a few more days will not hurt.
Scrap value of a car that size currently about £150 tops locally ( Glos )
If OP likes the car and it is basically otherwise quite tidy, get it fixed. A used replacement may be a bigger headache for the car consumer if they are not too clued up about what to look for.
Finally, remember, if only everything was as reliable as a Volkswagen! Been on TV and everything...
Other makes of car are available.
Two words. SHOP AROUND.
Others repair agencies are available. Many will be better too at more reasonable prices.
Even if the OP is not too clever with the tools, every one of those tasks is well within the capabilities of any half decent DIYer.... Apparently the vehicle has been usused for ten months so surely a few more days will not hurt.
Scrap value of a car that size currently about £150 tops locally ( Glos )
If OP likes the car and it is basically otherwise quite tidy, get it fixed. A used replacement may be a bigger headache for the car consumer if they are not too clued up about what to look for.
Finally, remember, if only everything was as reliable as a Volkswagen! Been on TV and everything...
Other makes of car are available.
Edited by MGJohn on Friday 30th January 21:42
Andyjc86 said:
The top suspension bolt will need to be glowing before attempting to remove, factor in an oxyacetylene setup into your DIY costs
Unless the hub is ally depends on year so heat wont work on them.Why you need to touch that bolt when all you need to do is undo the bottom ball joints which will gain enough access to remove the strut and also remove the driveshaft.
£700 is a mental amount for that list of work needed, im a mechanic by trade and depending on parts that's well under £400 work.
Thanks for all the input chaps. Very helpful and also amusing 
I'll call a couple of other garages on Monday and see what they say.
A bit of history about the car. I bought the Mrs a newer car last spring, and we've lazily left the Passat on the drive since then. Shame on us - I know! The Passat has been in the family since 2006 and proved to be totally reliable. I know she's not a desirable car - but the Mrs and I are sentimental about her - hence I wanted her up and running and sold on to a good home (and not a scrap yard!)
I'll call a couple of other garages on Monday and see what they say.
A bit of history about the car. I bought the Mrs a newer car last spring, and we've lazily left the Passat on the drive since then. Shame on us - I know! The Passat has been in the family since 2006 and proved to be totally reliable. I know she's not a desirable car - but the Mrs and I are sentimental about her - hence I wanted her up and running and sold on to a good home (and not a scrap yard!)
Never done the job,but seen numerous Golfs & other VAG cars have drive shaft work done. Other makers used a spline input to the diff, but from what i've seen, VAG use an output from the diff to which the drive shafts are bolted. Something like eight bolts ,and then a massive nut on the wheel side.Undo the bolts ,drop the diff end, unbolt the wheel side and drive shaft can be removed.
However ,there's a VAG forum on here, with some professional blokes who'll give better advice, and a better idea of price. OR a VAG forum or even Briskoda.net, where VAG techs lurk, willing to give advice or help you to a forum. Both of the latter may well even have sponsors in the trade who'll sell the parts at discount prices. Again,i don't know about VAG, but there used to be plenty of CV boot repair kits ( new boot and sachet of grease ) about .Far cheaper than a new joint, and on the outer side ,secured with a circlip or some form of plastic wrap. Again something to ask on VAG forum on here /BRISKODA/VAG FORUMS ELSEWHERE.
Again, i'd suggest you got sucked in by one of the "cheap" fast fit places, who might loose out on the cost of MOT, but I'd wonder just how many cars past first time, as these places charge for subsequent MOT, and most jobs are done by monkeys ,for peanuts and where there might only be one or two true professional/qualified mechanics (including the man with hammer) on site. The rest, might think that it's OK to try and free a steering rack ball joint with heat, to adjust the tracking.
However ,there's a VAG forum on here, with some professional blokes who'll give better advice, and a better idea of price. OR a VAG forum or even Briskoda.net, where VAG techs lurk, willing to give advice or help you to a forum. Both of the latter may well even have sponsors in the trade who'll sell the parts at discount prices. Again,i don't know about VAG, but there used to be plenty of CV boot repair kits ( new boot and sachet of grease ) about .Far cheaper than a new joint, and on the outer side ,secured with a circlip or some form of plastic wrap. Again something to ask on VAG forum on here /BRISKODA/VAG FORUMS ELSEWHERE.
Again, i'd suggest you got sucked in by one of the "cheap" fast fit places, who might loose out on the cost of MOT, but I'd wonder just how many cars past first time, as these places charge for subsequent MOT, and most jobs are done by monkeys ,for peanuts and where there might only be one or two true professional/qualified mechanics (including the man with hammer) on site. The rest, might think that it's OK to try and free a steering rack ball joint with heat, to adjust the tracking.
Who me said:
Never done the job,but seen numerous Golfs & other VAG cars have drive shaft work done. Other makers used a spline input to the diff, but from what i've seen, VAG use an output from the diff to which the drive shafts are bolted. Something like eight bolts ,and then a massive nut on the wheel side.Undo the bolts ,drop the diff end, unbolt the wheel side and drive shaft can be removed.
However ,there's a VAG forum on here, with some professional blokes who'll give better advice, and a better idea of price. OR a VAG forum or even Briskoda.net, where VAG techs lurk, willing to give advice or help you to a forum. Both of the latter may well even have sponsors in the trade who'll sell the parts at discount prices. Again,i don't know about VAG, but there used to be plenty of CV boot repair kits ( new boot and sachet of grease ) about .Far cheaper than a new joint, and on the outer side ,secured with a circlip or some form of plastic wrap. Again something to ask on VAG forum on here /BRISKODA/VAG FORUMS ELSEWHERE.
Again, i'd suggest you got sucked in by one of the "cheap" fast fit places, who might loose out on the cost of MOT, but I'd wonder just how many cars past first time, as these places charge for subsequent MOT, and most jobs are done by monkeys ,for peanuts and where there might only be one or two true professional/qualified mechanics (including the man with hammer) on site. The rest, might think that it's OK to try and free a steering rack ball joint with heat, to adjust the tracking.
Pub mechanic! However ,there's a VAG forum on here, with some professional blokes who'll give better advice, and a better idea of price. OR a VAG forum or even Briskoda.net, where VAG techs lurk, willing to give advice or help you to a forum. Both of the latter may well even have sponsors in the trade who'll sell the parts at discount prices. Again,i don't know about VAG, but there used to be plenty of CV boot repair kits ( new boot and sachet of grease ) about .Far cheaper than a new joint, and on the outer side ,secured with a circlip or some form of plastic wrap. Again something to ask on VAG forum on here /BRISKODA/VAG FORUMS ELSEWHERE.
Again, i'd suggest you got sucked in by one of the "cheap" fast fit places, who might loose out on the cost of MOT, but I'd wonder just how many cars past first time, as these places charge for subsequent MOT, and most jobs are done by monkeys ,for peanuts and where there might only be one or two true professional/qualified mechanics (including the man with hammer) on site. The rest, might think that it's OK to try and free a steering rack ball joint with heat, to adjust the tracking.
Never seen a Passat.
Never done the job
Why even post?
Rich_W said:
MG CHRIS said:
...im a mechanic by trade and depending on parts that's well under £400 work.
There you go OP. He'll do it for under £400. Of course Chris has no option but to do it now for that price. And we'll allow maybe £30 for travel costs if he's no where near you.Rich_W said:
Who me said:
Never done the job,but seen numerous Golfs & other VAG cars have drive shaft work done. Other makers used a spline input to the diff, but from what i've seen, VAG use an output from the diff to which the drive shafts are bolted. Something like eight bolts ,and then a massive nut on the wheel side.Undo the bolts ,drop the diff end, unbolt the wheel side and drive shaft can be removed.
However ,there's a VAG forum on here, with some professional blokes who'll give better advice, and a better idea of price. OR a VAG forum or even Briskoda.net, where VAG techs lurk, willing to give advice or help you to a forum. Both of the latter may well even have sponsors in the trade who'll sell the parts at discount prices. Again,i don't know about VAG, but there used to be plenty of CV boot repair kits ( new boot and sachet of grease ) about .Far cheaper than a new joint, and on the outer side ,secured with a circlip or some form of plastic wrap. Again something to ask on VAG forum on here /BRISKODA/VAG FORUMS ELSEWHERE.
Again, i'd suggest you got sucked in by one of the "cheap" fast fit places, who might loose out on the cost of MOT, but I'd wonder just how many cars past first time, as these places charge for subsequent MOT, and most jobs are done by monkeys ,for peanuts and where there might only be one or two true professional/qualified mechanics (including the man with hammer) on site. The rest, might think that it's OK to try and free a steering rack ball joint with heat, to adjust the tracking.
Pub mechanic! However ,there's a VAG forum on here, with some professional blokes who'll give better advice, and a better idea of price. OR a VAG forum or even Briskoda.net, where VAG techs lurk, willing to give advice or help you to a forum. Both of the latter may well even have sponsors in the trade who'll sell the parts at discount prices. Again,i don't know about VAG, but there used to be plenty of CV boot repair kits ( new boot and sachet of grease ) about .Far cheaper than a new joint, and on the outer side ,secured with a circlip or some form of plastic wrap. Again something to ask on VAG forum on here /BRISKODA/VAG FORUMS ELSEWHERE.
Again, i'd suggest you got sucked in by one of the "cheap" fast fit places, who might loose out on the cost of MOT, but I'd wonder just how many cars past first time, as these places charge for subsequent MOT, and most jobs are done by monkeys ,for peanuts and where there might only be one or two true professional/qualified mechanics (including the man with hammer) on site. The rest, might think that it's OK to try and free a steering rack ball joint with heat, to adjust the tracking.
Never seen a Passat.
Never done the job
Why even post?
Sheepshanks said:
Rich_W said:
MG CHRIS said:
...im a mechanic by trade and depending on parts that's well under £400 work.
There you go OP. He'll do it for under £400. Of course Chris has no option but to do it now for that price. And we'll allow maybe £30 for travel costs if he's no where near you.pinchmeimdreamin said:
Limpet said:
Slight question mark over the cause of the indicator issue aside,
Possibly connected to the Hazard switch issue.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/99-00-01-02-03-04-05-VW-...
Black_S3 said:
exactly connected to the hazard switch, indicator relay is built into hazard switch on these. £10 ebay.. excuse the us link, but you for the idea:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/99-00-01-02-03-04-05-VW-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/99-00-01-02-03-04-05-VW-...
I changed the hazard switch on my 2003 Passat in 5 minutes replacing it with one off eBay. Simple job, just gently ease the old one out but make sure you don't break the plastic 'lugs' at each side of the switch.Rich_W said:
3 Bulb. Possibly because the lamp itself is corroded to hell. £10ish and another £5 to fit (f
k knows where anyone thinks a festoon bulb is 40 pence from Halfords own website says £2. Maybe 30 years ago it was 40 pence ) (£15 done)
17.9pk knows where anyone thinks a festoon bulb is 40 pence from Halfords own website says £2. Maybe 30 years ago it was 40 pence ) (£15 done)http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-X-239-FESTOON-12V-5W-...
briang9 said:
Its not though is it, you have to buy ten so it is £1.79...We charge £4.20 for bulbs but that includes fitting them
Over the years, I've lost count of the number of so called professionals "in the trade" with the "It's very complex and you will struggle to understand" attitude towards their customers where their cars are concerned. Doesn't take long to realise that enthusiastic non-professional me often has a better understanding than the pro.
Some of the stories out there defy belief. Like the poor owners who paid the best part of a grand to renew most of the fuel system on their non-starting cars when others, including myself, fixed the same problem for less than twenty quid and a leisurely hour with the tools.
Not just the Motor Trade, when having extensive improvements to my office, I asked if I could have a look at the plans only to be told there's no point as I would not understand. Numerous instances like that from early in life means I now always have in the back of my mind the maxim :~
BEWARE PROFESSIONALS.
Be they fixing your car, your teeth or just about anything.
Keep 'em peeled.
Some of the stories out there defy belief. Like the poor owners who paid the best part of a grand to renew most of the fuel system on their non-starting cars when others, including myself, fixed the same problem for less than twenty quid and a leisurely hour with the tools.
Not just the Motor Trade, when having extensive improvements to my office, I asked if I could have a look at the plans only to be told there's no point as I would not understand. Numerous instances like that from early in life means I now always have in the back of my mind the maxim :~
BEWARE PROFESSIONALS.
Be they fixing your car, your teeth or just about anything.
Keep 'em peeled.
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