MOT - ripped off?
Discussion
I took my car to a local garage for its annual MOT, I have used this garage before mostly because he knew a friend of a friend and has previously allowed me to pay in two instalments if work has needed doing.
He doesn't actually do the MOT he outsources, he just does the work if it fails. I took my car in at 9.15 and said he will call by 11 too let me know outcome. At 1pm when I hadn't heard from him I called him to be told it was just minor work that needed doing and he had gone ahead and done it without first consulting me. Costing me an additional 103 on top of MOT cost. Although we had discussed the front tyre replacement which was done no other work was authorised by myself. I collected my car on Monday and paid £70 leaving £68 outstanding. After looking at MOT certificate when I got home, it passed at 10.20am meaning no work was done before it passed and the work he said he did including a hole in exhaust and both ns tyres being worn where in certificate as advisories. Suggesting that the work wasn't essential yet he done it anyway leaving me with a bill. I plan to write to the garage asking for proof of work and reason for doing the work but in the mean time I begrudge paying until I know why work was carried out. Can he revoke the certificate if he doesn't receive payment?
He doesn't actually do the MOT he outsources, he just does the work if it fails. I took my car in at 9.15 and said he will call by 11 too let me know outcome. At 1pm when I hadn't heard from him I called him to be told it was just minor work that needed doing and he had gone ahead and done it without first consulting me. Costing me an additional 103 on top of MOT cost. Although we had discussed the front tyre replacement which was done no other work was authorised by myself. I collected my car on Monday and paid £70 leaving £68 outstanding. After looking at MOT certificate when I got home, it passed at 10.20am meaning no work was done before it passed and the work he said he did including a hole in exhaust and both ns tyres being worn where in certificate as advisories. Suggesting that the work wasn't essential yet he done it anyway leaving me with a bill. I plan to write to the garage asking for proof of work and reason for doing the work but in the mean time I begrudge paying until I know why work was carried out. Can he revoke the certificate if he doesn't receive payment?
Edited by lividbird on Wednesday 25th June 20:39
I read that as the garage sent it for MOT first, then fixed any advisories and then you collected the car.
I don't see a problem, yes maybe he could have rung to confirm you wanted the advisories fixing.
If the work hadn't have been done some people would complain they took a car in for an MOT and it came back with a page of advisories which the garage had not offered to fix.
I'd be happy he'd done preventative maintenance, if that turns out to be the case.
I don't see a problem, yes maybe he could have rung to confirm you wanted the advisories fixing.
If the work hadn't have been done some people would complain they took a car in for an MOT and it came back with a page of advisories which the garage had not offered to fix.
I'd be happy he'd done preventative maintenance, if that turns out to be the case.
Twenty odd years ago when I was a mechanic, we used to MOT cars for a guy much like the bloke you describe.
Occasionally, if a car was a fail we would issue a ticket and list the fails as advisories, and take it in trust he would do the work at his own place, which he always did, saving him the return trip if he or his customer were pushed for time.
Before you go off at one on him, this might well be the case here.
Occasionally, if a car was a fail we would issue a ticket and list the fails as advisories, and take it in trust he would do the work at his own place, which he always did, saving him the return trip if he or his customer were pushed for time.
Before you go off at one on him, this might well be the case here.
lividbird said:
I took my car to a local garage for its annual MOT, I have used this garage before mostly because he knew a friend of a friend and has previously allowed me to pay in two instalments if work has needed doing.
He doesn't actually do the MOT he outsources, he just does the work if it fails. I took my car in at 9.15 and said he will call by 11 too let me know outcome. At 1pm when I hadn't heard from him I called him to be told it was just minor work that needed doing and he had gone ahead and done it without first consulting me. Costing me an additional 103 on top of MOT cost. Although we had discussed the front tyre replacement which was done no other work was authorised by myself. I collected my car on Monday and paid £70 leaving £68 outstanding. After looking at MOT certificate when I got home, it passed at 10.20am meaning no work was done before it passed and the work he said he did including a hole in exhaust and both ns tyres being worn where in certificate as advisories. Suggesting that the work wasn't essential yet he done it anyway leaving me with a bill. I plan to write to the garage asking for proof of work and reason for doing the work but in the mean time I begrudge paying until I know why work was carried out. Can he revoke the certificate if he doesn't receive payment?
Pay him.He doesn't actually do the MOT he outsources, he just does the work if it fails. I took my car in at 9.15 and said he will call by 11 too let me know outcome. At 1pm when I hadn't heard from him I called him to be told it was just minor work that needed doing and he had gone ahead and done it without first consulting me. Costing me an additional 103 on top of MOT cost. Although we had discussed the front tyre replacement which was done no other work was authorised by myself. I collected my car on Monday and paid £70 leaving £68 outstanding. After looking at MOT certificate when I got home, it passed at 10.20am meaning no work was done before it passed and the work he said he did including a hole in exhaust and both ns tyres being worn where in certificate as advisories. Suggesting that the work wasn't essential yet he done it anyway leaving me with a bill. I plan to write to the garage asking for proof of work and reason for doing the work but in the mean time I begrudge paying until I know why work was carried out. Can he revoke the certificate if he doesn't receive payment?
Edited by lividbird on Wednesday 25th June 20:39
You have no idea how things work within this industry.
Oh, and lovely first post.
(Yes, I AM feeling grumpy)
Well I have also called the Garage who MOT'd the car and without naming anyone asked what his take on it was and he said if it was an advisory then work was not essential. I get the feeling he might have took the p*** a little as I am a naive female.
I am not trying to rip anyone off but I don't intend to be ripped off myself either. I can see clearly two tyres have been changed and as he told me that one would cost £20 the £70 I havjo e paid less five pound covers that.
As for you Mr Grumpy 😠, so my first post was a moan but I am just a woman haha
I am not trying to rip anyone off but I don't intend to be ripped off myself either. I can see clearly two tyres have been changed and as he told me that one would cost £20 the £70 I havjo e paid less five pound covers that.
As for you Mr Grumpy 😠, so my first post was a moan but I am just a woman haha
750turbo said:
Pay him.
You have no idea how things work within this industry.
Oh, and lovely first post.
(Yes, I AM feeling grumpy)
I will second that. This is a tough industry to survive in and the local garage don't have the support network like the big chains. It only takes a couple of bad weeks and it's closing down time, just settle your bill and be thankful it was only £138 I wouldn't call that expensive for a years motoring You have no idea how things work within this industry.
Oh, and lovely first post.
(Yes, I AM feeling grumpy)
Nigel Worc's said:
The chap who does all my vehicle maintenance operates in this way.
The garage that do the MOT trust him, they have a relationship that goes back a couple of decades or so.
Good and honest mechanics are very hard to find, if you've found one, don't piss him off.
Same here. My chap presents the car to his mot chap, gets the list of fails/advisories that need doing, they pass the car and he does the work. Saves time and retest fees.The garage that do the MOT trust him, they have a relationship that goes back a couple of decades or so.
Good and honest mechanics are very hard to find, if you've found one, don't piss him off.
lividbird said:
Well I have also called the Garage who MOT'd the car and without naming anyone asked what his take on it was and he said if it was an advisory then work was not essential. I get the feeling he might have took the p*** a little as I am a naive female.
I am not trying to rip anyone off but I don't intend to be ripped off myself either. I can see clearly two tyres have been changed and as he told me that one would cost £20 the £70 I havjo e paid less five pound covers that.
As for you Mr Grumpy ??, so my first post was a moan but I am just a woman haha
And a proper delight, obviously, by the sound of it. I am not trying to rip anyone off but I don't intend to be ripped off myself either. I can see clearly two tyres have been changed and as he told me that one would cost £20 the £70 I havjo e paid less five pound covers that.
As for you Mr Grumpy ??, so my first post was a moan but I am just a woman haha
I don't think you have been 'ripped off' at all, but given your obvious ire, perhaps it'd be best to take your business elsewhere in future.
Personally, I suggest Kwik-Fit.
Doesn't sound as if you've been ripped off, and the garage have made a sound judgement on your safety/maintenance issue IMHO.
As a guy who knows a fair bit about cars If I had advisories I'd either replace immediately or keep an eye on the items. Without wishing to be judgemental, if you don't have the knowledge, then they are likely to be left unattended to until next MOT, so the judgement to replace is sound. What I'd always do is to make it clear to any garage that I want a phone call stating if any work needs doing, and the cost BEFORE any work is carried out. This means no nasty surprises (hopefully) and they know they can't just write a blank cheque.
As a guy who knows a fair bit about cars If I had advisories I'd either replace immediately or keep an eye on the items. Without wishing to be judgemental, if you don't have the knowledge, then they are likely to be left unattended to until next MOT, so the judgement to replace is sound. What I'd always do is to make it clear to any garage that I want a phone call stating if any work needs doing, and the cost BEFORE any work is carried out. This means no nasty surprises (hopefully) and they know they can't just write a blank cheque.
You got 2 tyres changed plus some other work and the total bill was only £150?
How does that work? Tyres cost more than that, plus £10-£15 a corner for fitting, balancing and old tyre disposal.
Doesn't add up, you can't have had all that work done that cheaply.
If you have, Send the guy a nice Xmas gift.
How does that work? Tyres cost more than that, plus £10-£15 a corner for fitting, balancing and old tyre disposal.
Doesn't add up, you can't have had all that work done that cheaply.
If you have, Send the guy a nice Xmas gift.
Part worns not new, clearly you believe the garage was right to do the work without prior consent which is fair enough. I am a single mum with two children so if can save money on none essential work then I will. It was work I could have done a little at a time when I chose to afford it. I am not trying to obnoxious and I understand the issue with small business I have seen enough family business fall due to the struggle. I do have other knowledge on the garage and it's proprietor however I shall keep that to myself as I don't suppose it will change the opinion I will however seek further advice. Sorry for troubling you :-)
ShaunTheSheep said:
You got 2 tyres changed plus some other work and the total bill was only £158 (£103 + £55 standard not price)?
How does that work? Tyres cost more than that, plus £10-£15 a corner for fitting, balancing and old tyre disposal.
Doesn't add up, you can't have had all that work done that cheaply.
If you have, Send the guy a nice Xmas gift.
How does that work? Tyres cost more than that, plus £10-£15 a corner for fitting, balancing and old tyre disposal.
Doesn't add up, you can't have had all that work done that cheaply.
If you have, Send the guy a nice Xmas gift.
Very cheap and be glad that he is being pro-active, as if they found that at the MOT that means you weren't being pro-active with the maintenance. Cars cost money to run, and you ferry your family around - they need to be safe.
Do you fill up with petrol before the car runs out? Probably you do.
Therefore you'd assume some basic maintenance before the car breaks down? He is doing you a favor and ensuring it survives until the next MOT.
I just spent £650 putting two cars through basic services - I think you got off lightly.
Do you fill up with petrol before the car runs out? Probably you do.
Therefore you'd assume some basic maintenance before the car breaks down? He is doing you a favor and ensuring it survives until the next MOT.
I just spent £650 putting two cars through basic services - I think you got off lightly.
Edited by stuart-b on Wednesday 25th June 21:23
You are not troubling anyone and you are valued to your opinion. I understand it's hard in this day and age as money is very tight but if I'm honest the work you've had done is cheap. Your best bet is to bite your tongue and just get on with life at least you no the car is safe to put your children in
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