Car Damaged During MOT

Author
Discussion

mighty kitten

431 posts

132 months

Saturday 16th March 2013
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I've had this a few times over the years but thankfully have 3cctv cameras on my test lane and three outside covering the yard . One was damaged by another customer collecting their car and I managed to get them to pay for the damage and the other memorable one was a snotty woman claiming we broke the front splitter on her bumper when it was clearly visible on the footage to be broken as the car drove onto our recessed ramp .

The best ones are when brake pipes burst and the owner tries to make it my responsibility to fix them as they were fine the day before .


honest_delboy

1,498 posts

199 months

Saturday 16th March 2013
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I just got the Z4 mot'ed this morning and i've noticed a scuff on the lower part of the front bumper, i'm pretty sure its me though. Gutted as its quite noticeable and i'm just about to sell the car.

I realise this post is of no help to you whatsoever.

GrizzlyBear

1,072 posts

134 months

Saturday 16th March 2013
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I always discretely take a few photos of the car outside the garage, before it goes in for work.

Rubin215

3,985 posts

155 months

Saturday 16th March 2013
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I had a local garage return my beetle to me with a pass certificate and a snapped handbrake cable.

Apparently it must have happened when it was being parked after the test so wasn't their responsibility...

With a bit of negotiation though, I convinced them to fit the new one as long as I paid for the part. Fair enough, it could have snapped at any time, it was just unlucky it was their mechanic who did it.

Athlon

4,999 posts

205 months

Saturday 16th March 2013
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Ozzie Osmond said:
Which is why I never use cheap-and-cheerful MOT centres. Any "unusual" cars which I've owned I just put into the nearest BMW/Merc/Audi garage who are used to looking after decent cars and have proper lifts flush fitted into the workshop floor. MOT costs the same whoever does the work (unless you take your life/wallet in your hands and venture to the half-price boys).
I am sorry but this attitude really pisses me of, you bunch all non dealer workshops into one hat, many on here do.

We are a non dealer garage, I am an MOT tester at said garage, we do not charge full price for MOT's because the market is to competitive, main dealers tend to because they have lured you in, if you honestly think a tech on bonus is going to take more time and care with your car you are wrong, they want/need the job done and out.

We are small, we have to be double careful with all jobs, no bonus, just get it right and don't take the piss time wise.

Our MOT ramp is flat, modern (within 4 years) the approach is straight and level, the brake rollers have plates to allow flat access onto the ramp, the jacking beam is level and all blocks are coated to praotect the chassis.

In the last year I have tested Ferrari, Caterham, Westfield, MGA lots of American classic and modern and plenty of exotic and bloody low cars and managed to do this without damaging them.

So please think before you slate all garages, some of us are careful and enthusiastic about the job we do and the cars we work on.

Rubin215

3,985 posts

155 months

Saturday 16th March 2013
quotequote all
Athlon said:
Ozzie Osmond said:
Which is why I never use cheap-and-cheerful MOT centres. Any "unusual" cars which I've owned I just put into the nearest BMW/Merc/Audi garage who are used to looking after decent cars and have proper lifts flush fitted into the workshop floor. MOT costs the same whoever does the work (unless you take your life/wallet in your hands and venture to the half-price boys).
I am sorry but this attitude really pisses me of, you bunch all non dealer workshops into one hat, many on here do.

We are a non dealer garage, I am an MOT tester at said garage, we do not charge full price for MOT's because the market is to competitive, main dealers tend to because they have lured you in, if you honestly think a tech on bonus is going to take more time and care with your car you are wrong, they want/need the job done and out.

We are small, we have to be double careful with all jobs, no bonus, just get it right and don't take the piss time wise.

Our MOT ramp is flat, modern (within 4 years) the approach is straight and level, the brake rollers have plates to allow flat access onto the ramp, the jacking beam is level and all blocks are coated to praotect the chassis.

In the last year I have tested Ferrari, Caterham, Westfield, MGA lots of American classic and modern and plenty of exotic and bloody low cars and managed to do this without damaging them.

So please think before you slate all garages, some of us are careful and enthusiastic about the job we do and the cars we work on.
This is the kind of place I look for.

Over the last few years I have become good friends with the manager of my local "greasy-floor" garage, knowing that he will advise me what he thinks needs done, what he thinks I can do myself before I need to pay them to have a look at it, and also knowing that he is never scared to put a job off and apologise if another one needs finished properly first.

That's proper service, not a shiny reception area with pot plants and courtesy coffee.