VOSA Testing/Return used car??

[skye11]

Hi All,

Wondering if anyone has any experience of a car passing MOT when it shouldn't and getting it re-tested by VOSA?

Basically I bought an Impreza wrx from what I thought was a reputable dealer a week Saturday. It came with brand new MOT and 60mth service (no advisories). After two days its engine started making a strange noise and grey smoke came out of exhaust. Contacted dealer who said as I lived so far away from them to take it to my local garage to be checked. They couldn't find anything wrong as typically it made no noise or smoke for them! Fine maybe something had cleared but was a bit wary... So two days later another noise; back to garage who confirmed rear pads were worn below legal limit and discs were completely corroded all needed replacing and should not have passed MOT and most definitely should have been noticed during the cam belt service . Contacted dealer who immediately agreed to pay for the repair (great) but when I said was dubious about the car in general they said this was the only problem and they had an advisory about it which was why they were covering the cost. So they knowingly sold me a car with rubbish brakes and didn't tell me?!!!

Anyway I contacted CAB who advised me to contact VOSA as they may want to look into the MOT - has anyone any experience of this process?

I now have no faith in the car or dealer (wonder if there is anything else wrong with the car I've not been told about) and honestly just want to hand it back for a refund - has anyone done this successfully?

Thanks for any advice.

[t400ble]

Why would a garage look at the rear brakes whilst doing a cam belt?

[TooMany2cvs]

skye11 said:

back to garage who confirmed rear pads were worn below legal limit and discs were completely corroded all needed replacing and should not have passed MOT

There is no "legal limit" for brake pads. The only test performed on the MOT is of their function - if they give enough stopping power, and the handbrake holds, then they pass. And the limit is LOW.

skye11 said:

I now have no faith in the car or dealer (wonder if there is anything else wrong with the car I've not been told about) and honestly just want to hand it back for a refund - has anyone done this successfully?

Sale of Goods Act gives the supplier the right to repair the goods. There's no legal redress for "I've lost faith".

[skye11]

They didn't do the cam belt anyway so I've no idea what the stamp in the service book for 60000miles/60mth service actually covered.... But somehow they knew about the brakes anyway so im guessing they looked.

[skye11]

TooMany2cvs said:

Sale of Goods Act gives the supplier the right to repair the goods. There's no legal redress for "I've lost faith".

Thanks for that I was just going on what the garage told me with regards to the pads so that's useful to know in both cases. Much appreciated TooMany2cvs

[steveo3002]

good chance they stamped the book and done very little service wise , mot'd at their pals place that passes everything they sell

if its bothering you have a mot at a place you trust then have it serviced by someone you trust to do a good job

[t400ble]

What date did the car pass an MOT?

[confused_buyer]

Corroded discs will normally pass an MOT. It is usually only if worn so much the discs are likely to break they'll fail - and that is only done at a glace so it is a bit subjective. Pads should be 1.5mm thick (which isn't a lot) but the MOT tester isn't allowed to move anything to inspect them so can be difficult to see on some cars. If they can't see, they should give the benefit of the doubt.

A lot of it is down to the personal opinion of the tester. There is a big difference between "could do with replacing" and a MOT failure.

A set of rear brake pads and discs really isn't a big deal IMO.