Halford BS MOT

Author
Discussion

Combustion29

Original Poster:

111 posts

95 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
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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?

SystemParanoia

14,343 posts

204 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
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not leave your car with them for a start.

you can drive your car home from an MOT test legally, whether its passed or not.

Chainsaw Rebuild

2,050 posts

108 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
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You are free to refuse the work and take it else where to be repaired. If you submit your car for retest within 10 days (check that number, I'm not 100% sure) it should be free.

Combustion29

Original Poster:

111 posts

95 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
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

KungFuPanda

4,444 posts

176 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
They want to replace the whole wiper? Which part of the wiper do you want to change if not the whole thing?

Combustion29

Original Poster:

111 posts

95 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
"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."

CS Garth

2,870 posts

111 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
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

Combustion29

Original Poster:

111 posts

95 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
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.

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

132 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
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?

Combustion29

Original Poster:

111 posts

95 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
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

Original Poster:

111 posts

95 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
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

Minty12

3 posts

104 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
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Have you checked for a quote from another garage for the same repairs? I would agree that if the bush is worn it is sometimes as cheap to fit the arm as pressing out and in a new bush. The wiper blade will not be expensive and you should fit it yourself. It sounds like headlamp alignment out which is either a quick screw adjustment or if the bulb has been fitted incorrectly will need corrected. (Depending on what make/model of vehicle this is not always quick)
As mentioned previously you are free to take the vehicle away from the MOT site to a place of repair as long as the defects would not make the vehicle dangerous. The retest must be done at the original site, if you went elsewhere it would be a new test and maybe? different outcome.

Winky151

1,269 posts

147 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
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Regardless of whether the MOT has already expired, its still legal to drive home from an MOT unless they've deemed the car unroadworthy.

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

132 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Combustion29 said:
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.
How much is the bush, how long does swapping the bush into the arm take, and what are the relative likelihoods of long-term success?

Combustion29 said:
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.
Their opinion differs, clearly.

Combustion29 said:
My old garage would have just adjusted the light for free. What are the actually charging me £15 for?
The pleasure of being parted from your money by a big corporate chain.

Combustion29

Original Poster:

111 posts

95 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
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.

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

132 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
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...?

bigdom

2,115 posts

151 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
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Having taken my car in for an MOT yesterday, not Halfords. I think they're all on the take.

Evidently my rear discs/pads are worn, and the front disc have slight lipping...They put both down as an advisory and mentioned it would be dangerous to continue to drive it rolleyes

The onboard system states the rear pads have 24k left, the fronts 60k. Think I'll drop it into BMW next year.

Mr Snrub

25,198 posts

233 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Combustion29 said:
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.
Are you sure? I've never heard of a wiper arm needing to be changed unless it was damaged

Rich_W

12,548 posts

218 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
bigdom said:
Having taken my car in for an MOT yesterday, not Halfords. I think they're all on the take.

Evidently my rear discs/pads are worn, and the front disc have slight lipping...They put both down as an advisory and mentioned it would be dangerous to continue to drive it rolleyes

The onboard system states the rear pads have 24k left, the fronts 60k. Think I'll drop it into BMW next year.
60K on front pads laughrolleyes

They aren't "on the take" You're delusional about matters mechanical!

Worth pointing out that "advisory" means just that. Not an order!

Rat_Fink_67

2,459 posts

212 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
quotequote all
Well if the dashboard says there are 60K left on the pads then it must be true laugh Wow.