Discussion
I took my car for mot check(Kia Sportage 2008), the tester failed it and said it was not worth fixing. The work needed and especially replaing the exhaust would cost alot. So I took his advice and sold it for a cheap price on Gumtree. A week later I checked mot online and found that it has passed, but some major defects have become advisory.
Is this right?
Is this right?
Some garages are picky, some aren't. A guy I used to use in Liverpool wasn't too picky, a local guy i used (once and never again) tried to pull up all sorts of needless issues. Also you never know the guy who bought it my have done some work to it himself, your tester may have meant its not worth fixing if youre going to have to pay full wack for all the work.
Looks like someone has fixed the exhaust and sorted the brakes. The other items left are the opinion of the MOT tester. Your tester thought the suspension parts were excessively worn, the next one noted them as worn but thought they were OK for now.
Did you take the word of your MOT guy or get some prices before selling it on on Gumtree?
Did you take the word of your MOT guy or get some prices before selling it on on Gumtree?
My SAAB had some deteriorating rubber bits in 2017 - in 2018 they had magically fixed themselves all by themselves and it passed with no advisories at all!
I simply ignored the advisories in 2017 because I checked them myself and couldn't see anything wrong. Needless to say, I don't go to that garage any more!
Until MOT checks are done by computers, you're relying on a human's opinion which will differ dramatically from person to person.
I simply ignored the advisories in 2017 because I checked them myself and couldn't see anything wrong. Needless to say, I don't go to that garage any more!
Until MOT checks are done by computers, you're relying on a human's opinion which will differ dramatically from person to person.
Just checked prices of 2008 Kia sportage, looks to be about £2000 at that mileage.
To get an exhaust fixed and some brake work, I would have though £400 max. The suspension arm bushes I would ges at £100 a side if they actually needed doing. So maybe £600 of work for you to get the car MOT'd.
Did you take it anywhere to get a price to fix? I'm guessing not and that you took the word of your MOT tester. If you sold it on Gumtree for anything over £1000 you've probably not lost out too much. The guy you sold it to probably knows his cars, is handy with the spanners and will have spent a few quid and a few hours to get it sorted... and knew a decent MOT station to take it to.
To get an exhaust fixed and some brake work, I would have though £400 max. The suspension arm bushes I would ges at £100 a side if they actually needed doing. So maybe £600 of work for you to get the car MOT'd.
Did you take it anywhere to get a price to fix? I'm guessing not and that you took the word of your MOT tester. If you sold it on Gumtree for anything over £1000 you've probably not lost out too much. The guy you sold it to probably knows his cars, is handy with the spanners and will have spent a few quid and a few hours to get it sorted... and knew a decent MOT station to take it to.
Yes it is Edinburgh, Scotland. Car was running out of Mot so took the mechanic's word, he said it needed £1000 + labour to fix all the stuff. About £1500.
Paid £50 for mot. To be honest, I knew the car needed lots of work done and the buyer is a dealer/mechanic so he got a good deal. £250.
You win/loose that's life ...but what really ennoys me is we rely on a human opinion to decide for us and I don't think those mot desicions are correct.
Paid £50 for mot. To be honest, I knew the car needed lots of work done and the buyer is a dealer/mechanic so he got a good deal. £250.
You win/loose that's life ...but what really ennoys me is we rely on a human opinion to decide for us and I don't think those mot desicions are correct.
My Zafira was taken to the main dealer for warranty recall last November . They offered an MOT for £25 so as it had less than a month left I said ok. It failed on about 4 things , one being a major exhaust leak. They quoted in excess of £1000 for the work. I said no way and left with it despite them saying I couldn't. Called at a local tyre and exhaust / mot station just two miles from home. £50 for a new front exhaust Flexi - though they said it was only a very minor leak an they could do a repair that would last 6 months or so for £25 if I wanted. Another MOT from them for £30 and it passed.
The MOT is a total piss-take these days!
I took my BMW 325i for an MOT a couple of weeks ago and the tester was planning on failing it for worn rear brakes pads.
I asked if it met the efficiency test, and was told it did. Then I pointed out that the On Board Computer said the rear pads had 28,000 miles to go - so dip-s
t decided it was an advisory. 
It's done less than 6,000 miles since the last MOT - with 28K to go why is that an issue?
In that case the front pads should have been highlighted as the OBC says they "only" have 26K miles left, but dip-st obviously couldn't work that out!
But I thought the MOT was supposed to identify the condition of the car on the day it was presented for the test, or is there some sort of advisory incentive system?
I'm seriously p*ssed off - no names (yet)!
I took my BMW 325i for an MOT a couple of weeks ago and the tester was planning on failing it for worn rear brakes pads.
I asked if it met the efficiency test, and was told it did. Then I pointed out that the On Board Computer said the rear pads had 28,000 miles to go - so dip-s
t decided it was an advisory. It's done less than 6,000 miles since the last MOT - with 28K to go why is that an issue?
In that case the front pads should have been highlighted as the OBC says they "only" have 26K miles left, but dip-s
t obviously couldn't work that out!But I thought the MOT was supposed to identify the condition of the car on the day it was presented for the test, or is there some sort of advisory incentive system?
I'm seriously p*ssed off - no names (yet)!
Warnings have been issued about MOT testers exploiting the new regulations e.g. https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-5...
The answer is to find a non-repair test centre, they are out there, council run ones for example: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot...
The answer is to find a non-repair test centre, they are out there, council run ones for example: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot...
But it doesn't help when MOT stations fail cars that should pass, and pass those that shiuld fail... I know of a car trader that has retested cars that fail at another garage without doing any repairs to get a 'pass' same day or next day! Blatantly something iffy going on! And as an MOT tester myself, does make me cross!!
Allegedly there are no 'grey areas' in the MOT but every tester different opinions of the test and items.. the mantra is supposed to be 'if in doubt, pass and advise' stuff like brake pads are incredibly hard to measure in situ, so if the look low, advise unless on the metal
Allegedly there are no 'grey areas' in the MOT but every tester different opinions of the test and items.. the mantra is supposed to be 'if in doubt, pass and advise' stuff like brake pads are incredibly hard to measure in situ, so if the look low, advise unless on the metal
There are loads or grey areas in MOT testing and opinions will vary from tester to tester, it’s always been the case. Ask around. Not all test stations are ste. Find one you are happy with and stick with it. If you don’t have your car serviced on a regular basis, check your tyres at least before you go for test. Try to avoid the “dangerous to drive” defects.
te. Find one you are happy with and stick with it. If you don’t have your car serviced on a regular basis, check your tyres at least before you go for test. Try to avoid the “dangerous to drive” defects. Moxcis said:
Yes it is Edinburgh, Scotland. Car was running out of Mot so took the mechanic's word, he said it needed £1000 + labour to fix all the stuff. About £1500.
Paid £50 for mot. To be honest, I knew the car needed lots of work done and the buyer is a dealer/mechanic so he got a good deal. £250.
You win/loose that's life ...but what really ennoys me is we rely on a human opinion to decide for us and I don't think those mot desicions are correct.
Which garage was this...just curious as i have my mot coming up... Have been looking for a reasonably good garage.. No luckPaid £50 for mot. To be honest, I knew the car needed lots of work done and the buyer is a dealer/mechanic so he got a good deal. £250.
You win/loose that's life ...but what really ennoys me is we rely on a human opinion to decide for us and I don't think those mot desicions are correct.
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