Halford BS MOT

[Combustion29]

Hi all,

I just had my mot done at a halfords autocentre ( not my first choice but was in a bind). Anyway it failed on three trivial things; rubber suspension bush worn, headlight at wrong angle and windscreen wiper not adequately clearing Window.

They want to replace the whole suspension arm rather than just the bush as they don't have the right tool to compress the springs or something. They are charging me £15 for 'fixing ' the light and also want to replace the whole wiper . This will now be hundreds which is a joke for what should be a bush and a wiper blade. They are taking the piss but what can i do?

[Combustion29]

It's all been over the phone as iv been driving my other car. Yeh i wasn't sure if the retest was free or not. But presumably it's only free if i take it back to halfords again. Ive heard stories that they can then say they are not happy with the work carried out

[Combustion29]

"If the vehicle is removed from the testing station for repair and returned for retest within 10 working days following the day of failure, then only a partial retest is needed and a partial retest fee is charged."

[Combustion29]

KungFuPanda said:

They want to replace the whole wiper? Which part of the wiper do you want to change if not the whole thing?

I asked what was actually the issue and the guy just kept quoting the mot failure statement. The wiper works fine as iv been driving it up until the mot.

[Combustion29]

CS Garth said:

Change the bulb and blade yourself. Go for a retest somewhere you would happily have the Bush done. I suspect it might pass if Halfrauds have been harsh, if not get them to just replace the part and the saving will wipe out the extra MOt cost.

If your old MOT is still valid you are still covered as non of those create a dangerous vehicle in my mind

The mot has just run out. The main issue is that i don't see why i should pay for their lakc of tools. I was hoping if i just make enough of a fuss, they will reduce the charge. I don't really have time to find a slot at another garage.

[Combustion29]

TooMany2cvs said:

Combustion29 said:

They want to replace the whole suspension arm rather than just the bush as they don't have the right tool to compress the springs or something.

Chinese whispers. Bushes are often only supplied with an arm. It's quicker and cheaper to replace the whole thing. The on-car work to remove the arm from the car, then replace the bush, before replacing the arm is the same as to remove the arm from the car then put a new arm on.

Combustion29 said:

They are charging me £15 for 'fixing ' the light

That'll be a fixed charge. A proper test centre would likely just do it while it's on the ramp. Did you not notice one light was pointing the wrong way?

Combustion29 said:

and also want to replace the whole wiper

Again, chinese whispers. They'll replace the whole blade, rather than just frig with the rubber. Blades really should be replaced annually anyway. Did you not notice it wasn't doing its job?

I'm literally quoting them on the tool issue. They said they used to order just the bush. I checked you can order it on its own. The whole arm is £70.

Yeh the wiper blade is fine. They want to change the entire arm. The wiper is fine, this been raining loads lately, it clears the windscreen.

My old garage would have just adjusted the light for free. What are the actually charging me £15 for?

Edited by Combustion29 on Wednesday 22 March 20:56

[Combustion29]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll make some calls in the morning and see what works out cheaper. Only reason i went to halfords was due to another garage delaying the not by a week the evening before the test.

[Combustion29]

TooMany2cvs said:

Combustion29 said:

Only reason i went to halfords was due to another garage delaying the not by a week the evening before the test.

You know you have a month before the expiry to retest it and retain the same expiry date, right...?

My booked mot fell through the night before. The mot then had 1 day left so needed to find a new garage quickly

[Combustion29]

The halfords mot was bs. Took it to another garage and the wiper and suspension weren't even flagged. Halfords also refused a free retest because it required using the lift. Anyway, just saved a ton of money and a valuable lesson. Who ever said pay up and move on earlier clearly likes wasting money.

[Combustion29]

I'll do some work on the car myself now as there's no rush. The point is halfords overpricing and retest policy. Even to do the suspension work would have been half the cost at the other garage.