MOT - Appeal BMW 3 Series.

[iTurniCar]

So my car failed it's MOT at garage number 1 for

Nearside front inner track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))
---

There was a different reason for my suspicions about garage number 1 and there testing
'It also failed on a bush and the guy started going off about how it would need welding done etc.'

Anyway I took it to garage number 2 that said.. none of that was needed 'the welding and subframe coming off' and also said

'This car does not have an inner track rod end it has a tie rod. The tie rod has slight play but it's not excessive and should not have failed.'

Garage 2 also mentioned I have a steering rack.

Garage number 1 is adamant in there story and number 2 said above.

I'm just wondering if I should proceed with the appeal or not, I have posted on other forums and they seem to agree that I could go forward with the appeal. I don't know much about cars so relying on other opinions, if anyone needs the car registration I'll gladly PM it.

[bearman68]

If it has a steering rack, it has an 'inner track rod end' - well it has an inner ball joint on the steering rack anyway, which is what I think the guy is referring to.
Why not just take it to garage 2 and get them to do the work needed for an MOT, and be done with the hassle?

[iTurniCar]

bearman68 said:

If it has a steering rack, it has an 'inner track rod end' - well it has an inner ball joint on the steering rack anyway, which is what I think the guy is referring to.
Why not just take it to garage 2 and get them to do the work needed for an MOT, and be done with the hassle?

I'm in no rush, I got a new car coming.
I already know that they were trying to rip me off with all the welding stuff I got hit with at the start as he quickly changed his tune when I came back saying it wouldn't need any, also unsure as to why he mentioned subframe etc coming off.
Whole thing just seemed odd, hence the reason for going to garage 2. So I would like to proceed with it if it's gonna be worthwhile.

Also getting mixed answers about it - different forum answer

'Garage number 2 is correct steering racks assemblies do not have an inner track rod end as such, the construction is generally a captive joint, and as such is not listed as a component requiring examination during the MOT.'

Edited by iTurniCar on Monday 21st December 20:39

[Mave]

I don't know what type of 3 series you have, but mine had a starting rack and ECP lists both track rods and tie rod ends. I would worry less about what garage 1 called it, and more about whether there is excessive play in your steering.

[RUSSELLM]

My advice... Get the car MOT’d at garage number 2

Never use garage 1 again.

Done.

[4rephill]

Mave said:

I don't know what type of 3 series you have, but mine had a starting rack......

I don't know what type of 3 series you had, and I have no idea what a: "starting rack" is?

[Mave]

4rephill said:

Mave said:

I don't know what type of 3 series you have, but mine had a starting rack......

I don't know what type of 3 series you had, and I have no idea what a: "starting rack" is?

It's the thing connected to the starter motor - or is that the steering motor?

Edited by Mave on Wednesday 23 December 11:45