Best of a bad situation - MOT Advice
Discussion
Probably should have posted this earlier as there's not much time left now.
Basically, bit of an emergency MOT situation where I've left things a little late; it needs to be done today. Not too many local garages around, and added complication that they need to be open early as I'm coming off a night shift, haven't slept for 27 hours and need sleep. This leaves me with... Halfords or Kwik-Fit.
Ordinarily I wouldn't go near either, but seeing as the only local independent garages with websites I could find are closed on Saturdays, I don't have a huge amount of choice.
So, which to go with? Not much difference in price, I'm vary wary of Kwik-Fit but have had very little contact with either of them to be honest. Whilst I'm sure there are good and bad branches, lets assume they're bad for a second, what are the usual things they like to try on? (New brakes needed when they're not, etc)
Basically, bit of an emergency MOT situation where I've left things a little late; it needs to be done today. Not too many local garages around, and added complication that they need to be open early as I'm coming off a night shift, haven't slept for 27 hours and need sleep. This leaves me with... Halfords or Kwik-Fit.
Ordinarily I wouldn't go near either, but seeing as the only local independent garages with websites I could find are closed on Saturdays, I don't have a huge amount of choice.
So, which to go with? Not much difference in price, I'm vary wary of Kwik-Fit but have had very little contact with either of them to be honest. Whilst I'm sure there are good and bad branches, lets assume they're bad for a second, what are the usual things they like to try on? (New brakes needed when they're not, etc)
I'm not sure you can second guess which parts of your vehicle may fail to meet MOT standards, unless you've checked the car over yourself to the same rigour. In your situation, I'd go the the nearest one and wait outside to be first in the queue. If it fails, you have to assume it's legitimate. If for any reason you think it isn't, then you must lodge a complaint. Good luck!
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...
Seriously, wait till next week! My current steed was bought as an mot failure for not many pennies. The previous owner had the mot done at kf and it failed, badly.
I took it to the local guy I have used for years where it failed on completely different things, but things it genuinely needed!
For example kf failed it on ARB droplinks, track rod end and brake hoses amongst other things. All easy to change parts that regularly need replacement. They did however miss the fact there was an inch of play in the radius arm bushes.
You would have to be seriously unlucky to get a pull for no mot and if you take it today and it fails I'm sure plod will take a dimmer veiw on you driving a car that's failed an mot to one that's just lapsed
I took it to the local guy I have used for years where it failed on completely different things, but things it genuinely needed!
For example kf failed it on ARB droplinks, track rod end and brake hoses amongst other things. All easy to change parts that regularly need replacement. They did however miss the fact there was an inch of play in the radius arm bushes.
You would have to be seriously unlucky to get a pull for no mot and if you take it today and it fails I'm sure plod will take a dimmer veiw on you driving a car that's failed an mot to one that's just lapsed
I see your point, but it lapsed just over a week ago! I was on holiday when it expired and it completely slipped my mind until last night.
Probably very unlikely to get pulled for it, but I spent the best part of yesterday on various motorways, through average speed checks etc (I don't know if they double up as ANPR cameras?) so I'd be very surprised if I haven't been flagged up at least once... I'd much rather get it done today so if I do get into trouble at least I can show I did it ASAP.
Anyways, parked outside Halfords for the next half hour till they open. Can't say I'm not eager!
Probably very unlikely to get pulled for it, but I spent the best part of yesterday on various motorways, through average speed checks etc (I don't know if they double up as ANPR cameras?) so I'd be very surprised if I haven't been flagged up at least once... I'd much rather get it done today so if I do get into trouble at least I can show I did it ASAP.
Anyways, parked outside Halfords for the next half hour till they open. Can't say I'm not eager!
There's a fair few, but they're either closed on a Saturday, or no opening times available. Because of the lack of sleep, its easier to just go somewhere I know will be open and save messing about. Just a shame it's Halfords.
As for the £60, I've heard that too. But the ...DVLA? (I think) website lists the fine as 'upto £1000'.
As for the £60, I've heard that too. But the ...DVLA? (I think) website lists the fine as 'upto £1000'.
I would choose kwik fit over halfords. The MOT should be done to VOSA standard. Stand in the viewing area and ask the tester to point out anything the car has failed on. If you feel he's pulling a fast one, then pay the fee, take the keys, leave the car there and phone VOSA, they will examine the car on site.
MOTs aren't as bad as they used to be.
MOTs aren't as bad as they used to be.
Alex@POD said:
Surely any garage can't fail an MOT just because they want to replace parts? Isn't that illegal? I would have thought they'd give a shed load of exagerated advisories to get you to pay up, but not a made up refusal?
Oh you have a lot to learn.I had a customer in tears as his £1,000 car that I had fixed the previous year "needed" £2k of work to pass the MOT at Halfords.
IIRC I ended up doing a service plus all the jobs for £350.
They wanted to charge nearly £1000 for a £100 alternator even though all it actually needed was a belt.
redgriff500 said:
Oh you have a lot to learn.
I had a customer in tears as his £1,000 car that I had fixed the previous year "needed" £2k of work to pass the MOT at Halfords.
IIRC I ended up doing a service plus all the jobs for £350.
They wanted to charge nearly £1000 for a £100 alternator even though all it actually needed was a belt.
I understand they will overcharge anywhere they can, but can they actually refuse to issue an mot if there is nothing but advisories, and they say things need changing?I had a customer in tears as his £1,000 car that I had fixed the previous year "needed" £2k of work to pass the MOT at Halfords.
IIRC I ended up doing a service plus all the jobs for £350.
They wanted to charge nearly £1000 for a £100 alternator even though all it actually needed was a belt.
Not sure I'm making much sense...
Advisories would be fine. I could go away and have someone I trust check it over and confirm it. I was more worried about them trying it on and failing it for things which "needed doing".
Everything I'm able to check myself I have done and it's all fine. But I'm no mechanic so at some point there'll be a point where I'm going to have to trust the garage/mechanic, and no offence to anyone here who works there but Kwik-Fit / Halfords hardly have the best reputation; particularly Kwik-Fit ( and rightly so).
I'm just going to take it to a garage I trust on Monday and if by chance it does fail, I can be confident that it's genuine.
Everything I'm able to check myself I have done and it's all fine. But I'm no mechanic so at some point there'll be a point where I'm going to have to trust the garage/mechanic, and no offence to anyone here who works there but Kwik-Fit / Halfords hardly have the best reputation; particularly Kwik-Fit ( and rightly so).
I'm just going to take it to a garage I trust on Monday and if by chance it does fail, I can be confident that it's genuine.
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