Possible dodgy MOT
Discussion
Son buys a near mint low miles Focus ST 225 (10 plate) in Jan 23
Was MOTed from November 22 by supplying car dealer. (this is a long standing well regarded dealer)
He puts car into MOT and it fails on having No Cat and obviously emmssions, everything else was fine.
MOT tester said that pipe has been on for well over 12 months and previous tester should have failed it on having no cat.
Does my son have any recorse on the supplying dealer or is this a suck it up and take the hit of getting a cat fitted.
PS The dealer has ramps as he fitted new discs to the car when he purchased it. so cant use the did nreasise the cat was missing.
Was MOTed from November 22 by supplying car dealer. (this is a long standing well regarded dealer)
He puts car into MOT and it fails on having No Cat and obviously emmssions, everything else was fine.
MOT tester said that pipe has been on for well over 12 months and previous tester should have failed it on having no cat.
Does my son have any recorse on the supplying dealer or is this a suck it up and take the hit of getting a cat fitted.
PS The dealer has ramps as he fitted new discs to the car when he purchased it. so cant use the did nreasise the cat was missing.
Just because the tester missed something that may look obvious to others doesn't make the MOT "dodgy".
Having said that, if they did the MOT then 100% yes, go to them & without getting all shouty just say that this has come to light & that you would like it to be put right as they should have seen it.
Having said that, if they did the MOT then 100% yes, go to them & without getting all shouty just say that this has come to light & that you would like it to be put right as they should have seen it.
My impression of the MOT test is that 10 years ago a lot of dodgy behaviour went on, but in 2022/23 that has pretty much all been stopped due to better use of technology and loss off livelihood/criminal prosecution if caught.
They now won't cheat the emissions test even for mates who own the garage across the road and give them 10-20 MOTs a month to process.
They now won't cheat the emissions test even for mates who own the garage across the road and give them 10-20 MOTs a month to process.
pigface1000 said:
Son buys a near mint low miles Focus ST 225 (10 plate) in Jan 23
Was MOTed from November 22 by supplying car dealer. (this is a long standing well regarded dealer)
He puts car into MOT and it fails on having No Cat and obviously emmssions, everything else was fine.
MOT tester said that pipe has been on for well over 12 months and previous tester should have failed it on having no cat.
Does my son have any recorse on the supplying dealer or is this a suck it up and take the hit of getting a cat fitted.
PS The dealer has ramps as he fitted new discs to the car when he purchased it. so cant use the did nreasise the cat was missing.
Sounds like the 2nd MOT tester has removed the stock standard cat and fitted a dodgy decat on it then failed it. Likely they have a customer or staff member that needs a stock cat. Was MOTed from November 22 by supplying car dealer. (this is a long standing well regarded dealer)
He puts car into MOT and it fails on having No Cat and obviously emmssions, everything else was fine.
MOT tester said that pipe has been on for well over 12 months and previous tester should have failed it on having no cat.
Does my son have any recorse on the supplying dealer or is this a suck it up and take the hit of getting a cat fitted.
PS The dealer has ramps as he fitted new discs to the car when he purchased it. so cant use the did nreasise the cat was missing.
Its as likely as the supplying dealer getting it dodgily through an MOT last year.
Or did you lad know it was decatted previously? Maybe he had it decatted, not told you, and is not reaping the consequences?
It wouldn't be the first time a de-catted car has passed the MoT. It happens quite frequently, especially when you have to maintain an old TVR / (insert expensive cat car here), they are known as 'friendly' garages. 
It isn't what I'd call 'dodgy,' that would be a car that passes with serious faults that made the car dangerous. I bought a car 3 years ago that had an MoT with no advisories but on closer examination, many of the brake hose ferrules were extremely rusty, and some of the bushes obviously very worn. But it had received a 'clean' MoT to look good for sale when it should have at least had several advisories.
If that was the only fail point, I can understand you annoyance but could be worse! Are 2nd hand cats available or have they been all scrapped for the 'precious' metals (Gollum smilie???)

It isn't what I'd call 'dodgy,' that would be a car that passes with serious faults that made the car dangerous. I bought a car 3 years ago that had an MoT with no advisories but on closer examination, many of the brake hose ferrules were extremely rusty, and some of the bushes obviously very worn. But it had received a 'clean' MoT to look good for sale when it should have at least had several advisories.

If that was the only fail point, I can understand you annoyance but could be worse! Are 2nd hand cats available or have they been all scrapped for the 'precious' metals (Gollum smilie???)
QBee said:
My impression of the MOT test is that 10 years ago a lot of dodgy behaviour went on, but in 2022/23 that has pretty much all been stopped due to better use of technology and loss off livelihood/criminal prosecution if caught.
They now won't cheat the emissions test even for mates who own the garage across the road and give them 10-20 MOTs a month to process.
With a TVR, you protesteth too much, methinks. They now won't cheat the emissions test even for mates who own the garage across the road and give them 10-20 MOTs a month to process.
Sounds like you've been let down, or do you not know anywhere that does any more?Is also possible under certain conditions that it could pass at one Garage & not at another.
Had a de-cat zorst on my previous Mk7.5 Golf R & it's first MOT was a fail due to emissions, however the tester suggested rebooking immediately & take the car for a very spirited drive & bring it back warm/hot for testing. Hey presto with this being the case, the emissions test passed (just).
Had a de-cat zorst on my previous Mk7.5 Golf R & it's first MOT was a fail due to emissions, however the tester suggested rebooking immediately & take the car for a very spirited drive & bring it back warm/hot for testing. Hey presto with this being the case, the emissions test passed (just).
poo at Paul's said:
Sounds like the 2nd MOT tester has removed the stock standard cat and fitted a dodgy decat on it then failed it. Likely they have a customer or staff member that needs a stock cat.
Its as likely as the supplying dealer getting it dodgily through an MOT last year.
Or did you lad know it was decatted previously? Maybe he had it decatted, not told you, and is not reaping the consequences?
Son was at MOT station, nothing has been taken off. He was shown it missing. Also he has not done anything to car. He is not that dumb to do it and not put one back on for the MOT.Its as likely as the supplying dealer getting it dodgily through an MOT last year.
Or did you lad know it was decatted previously? Maybe he had it decatted, not told you, and is not reaping the consequences?
sixor8 said:
QBee said:
My impression of the MOT test is that 10 years ago a lot of dodgy behaviour went on, but in 2022/23 that has pretty much all been stopped due to better use of technology and loss off livelihood/criminal prosecution if caught.
They now won't cheat the emissions test even for mates who own the garage across the road and give them 10-20 MOTs a month to process.
With a TVR, you protesteth too much, methinks. They now won't cheat the emissions test even for mates who own the garage across the road and give them 10-20 MOTs a month to process.
Sounds like you've been let down, or do you not know anywhere that does any more?Used to have a Focus ST and even eith a 100cel sports cat they were sometimes difficult to get through emissions.
Possible the dealer put on a standard cat for the MOT then removed it again and sold the Cat for a couple of hundred pounds but you will never prove it.
There was a guy who was a shady trader on these forums who even admitted taking original cats off cars he sold and fitting aftermarket low quality ones so he could sell the original cats for a profit.
Think that thread got deleted when people objected to it.
Possible the dealer put on a standard cat for the MOT then removed it again and sold the Cat for a couple of hundred pounds but you will never prove it.
There was a guy who was a shady trader on these forums who even admitted taking original cats off cars he sold and fitting aftermarket low quality ones so he could sell the original cats for a profit.
Think that thread got deleted when people objected to it.
Your issue is with the supplying dealer not the MOT station.
You need to write them (send it signed for) giving them 14 days notice explaining the part was missing and the car was mis-sold. Give them a chance to resolve it but if they don't offer to resolve it then threaten to take them to court.
You need to get an independent inspection of the missing part.
You could initially try to speak to them but most dealers do palm you off (in my experience they will try everything to wriggle out issues because they know the majority of people persist in complaints) If it's a large dealership network there is probably a complaints procedure, I suppose you could try that route, but the chances of them palming you off are high.
You need to write them (send it signed for) giving them 14 days notice explaining the part was missing and the car was mis-sold. Give them a chance to resolve it but if they don't offer to resolve it then threaten to take them to court.
You need to get an independent inspection of the missing part.
You could initially try to speak to them but most dealers do palm you off (in my experience they will try everything to wriggle out issues because they know the majority of people persist in complaints) If it's a large dealership network there is probably a complaints procedure, I suppose you could try that route, but the chances of them palming you off are high.
pigface1000 said:
poo at Paul's said:
Sounds like the 2nd MOT tester has removed the stock standard cat and fitted a dodgy decat on it then failed it. Likely they have a customer or staff member that needs a stock cat.
Its as likely as the supplying dealer getting it dodgily through an MOT last year.
Or did you lad know it was decatted previously? Maybe he had it decatted, not told you, and is not reaping the consequences?
He is not that dumb to do it and not put one back on for the MOT.Its as likely as the supplying dealer getting it dodgily through an MOT last year.
Or did you lad know it was decatted previously? Maybe he had it decatted, not told you, and is not reaping the consequences?

Why does he not take it back to the MOT place that passed it last year?
You think this is bad, wait til it blows up because of the remap...

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