Discussion
My recently (unseen) purchased C70 shed-of-sheds is currently being looked at by my friendly indy and as expected there's a shopping list of items come out of the back of it.
It has a completely full MOT, which makes me wonder: Rear brakes are absolutely effed and the handbrake plain doesn't work. Oil leak, mildly perished tyres, etc. suspension not brill etc etc.
Not an advisory in sight for any of the above less than 50 miles ago.
I bought it unseen and I knew the risks of doing so, caveat emptor and all that, and I'll get it all rectified because I like the car and then I know it's all good, but it's a bit naughty.
Makes me wonder how many small dealers have 'pet' MOT testers that pass anything for a few quid? My old shed C4 definitely came with a bent MOT from a dealer as well.
I think it's probably commonplace. Maybe the best approach to shed buying is buy one with a colourful MOT!
It has a completely full MOT, which makes me wonder: Rear brakes are absolutely effed and the handbrake plain doesn't work. Oil leak, mildly perished tyres, etc. suspension not brill etc etc.
Not an advisory in sight for any of the above less than 50 miles ago.
I bought it unseen and I knew the risks of doing so, caveat emptor and all that, and I'll get it all rectified because I like the car and then I know it's all good, but it's a bit naughty.
Makes me wonder how many small dealers have 'pet' MOT testers that pass anything for a few quid? My old shed C4 definitely came with a bent MOT from a dealer as well.
I think it's probably commonplace. Maybe the best approach to shed buying is buy one with a colourful MOT!
Baldchap said:
My recently (unseen) purchased C70 shed-of-sheds is currently being looked at by my friendly indy and as expected there's a shopping list of items come out of the back of it.
It has a completely full MOT, which makes me wonder: Rear brakes are absolutely effed and the handbrake plain doesn't work. Oil leak, mildly perished tyres, etc. suspension not brill etc etc.
Not an advisory in sight for any of the above less than 50 miles ago.
I bought it unseen and I knew the risks of doing so, caveat emptor and all that, and I'll get it all rectified because I like the car and then I know it's all good, but it's a bit naughty.
Makes me wonder how many small dealers have 'pet' MOT testers that pass anything for a few quid? My old shed C4 definitely came with a bent MOT from a dealer as well.
I think it's probably commonplace. Maybe the best approach to shed buying is buy one with a colourful MOT!
I went to view an M140 at a garage. I'd put a deposit down on the car and they had told me it would be MOT'd for me coming to collect as I was coming from the North East of Scotland and wanted it to be as smooth as possible. Got there and the car was at the back of the shed behind about 8 cars, not impossible that the MOT was done the day before but unlikely. It has a completely full MOT, which makes me wonder: Rear brakes are absolutely effed and the handbrake plain doesn't work. Oil leak, mildly perished tyres, etc. suspension not brill etc etc.
Not an advisory in sight for any of the above less than 50 miles ago.
I bought it unseen and I knew the risks of doing so, caveat emptor and all that, and I'll get it all rectified because I like the car and then I know it's all good, but it's a bit naughty.
Makes me wonder how many small dealers have 'pet' MOT testers that pass anything for a few quid? My old shed C4 definitely came with a bent MOT from a dealer as well.
I think it's probably commonplace. Maybe the best approach to shed buying is buy one with a colourful MOT!
It had been raining for the whole week leading up to me going to collect it (including the day when it was getting MOT'd) and yet the car was covered in a thick layer of dust, an inspection showed a big chip/crack in the windscreen right in the drivers eyeline (you couldnt miss it sitting in the car) and the rear wiper blade had completely separated (which the 'owner' of the garage feebly tried to reattach, it was pathetic).
Challenged the salesman that this car hadn't been out of the shed for the MOT and he blew his lid at me... prick had the cheek to keep my deposit despite plenty calls/emails and letters. With hindsight I should have demanded it back there and then but feeling pissed off and intimidated I turned heel and headed back home
Moderator edit: no naming & shaming
Our cars have frequently come back with a few (already known to us) advisories. The sort of things that are safe, but will need a replacement within the year. I value these garages that play it straight down the line. They are also the sort of places that will replace a bulb rather than fail a car, and do not tout for business.
Baldchap said:
....
Makes me wonder how many small dealers have 'pet' MOT testers that pass anything for a few quid? My old shed C4 definitely came with a bent MOT from a dealer as well.
I think it's probably commonplace. Maybe the best approach to shed buying is buy one with a colourful MOT!
.Makes me wonder how many small dealers have 'pet' MOT testers that pass anything for a few quid? My old shed C4 definitely came with a bent MOT from a dealer as well.
I think it's probably commonplace. Maybe the best approach to shed buying is buy one with a colourful MOT!
If you were so minded, you could get the DVSA to have it retested. Supposedly they take this sort of thing seriously.
Pica-Pica said:
Our cars have frequently come back with a few (already known to us) advisories. The sort of things that are safe, but will need a replacement within the year. I value these garages that play it straight down the line. They are also the sort of places that will replace a bulb rather than fail a car, and do not tout for business.
A garage I used to use got done for dodgy MoT`s https://www.motortrader.com/motor-trader-news/auto... Rather ironic as while they were doing this they wouldn't help me when an indicator bulb failed literally turning into their car park for an MoT test.Gericho said:
The fact is the car is tested as presented and the MOT test is subjective. If I clear an EML code in the car park before it goes for a test, they won't pick up on it. As soon as I start the car again it will probably show up. It doesn't make the test bent.
It doesn't, you are right. However... tyres don't perish in a week and brakes don't badly lip in under 50 miles (could be nearer 30).Baldchap said:
It doesn't, you are right. However... tyres don't perish in a week and brakes don't badly lip in under 50 miles (could be nearer 30).
I see where you're coming from but I've had an S60 that had fresh pads and discs from the dealer which completely warped within 30 miles.I've had another car with a major defect for an oil leak. Took it to be repaired and got told it was just slight spillage after a service and they wiped it off then it passed.
carinaman said:
It's concerning for less savvy individuals who'll trust every MoT to be correct and wouldn't even think an MoT could be dodgy.
I would counter that most people wouldn't care if the MOT was dodgy as long as they get a pass as most seem to deem it an inconvenience in their lives. You only have to see the images of some cars from the U.S where there's no mandatory testing to see what most would happily consider as appropriate for road use.Richard-390a0 said:
I would counter that most people wouldn't care if the MOT was dodgy as long as they get a pass as most seem to deem it an inconvenience in their lives. You only have to see the images of some cars from the U.S where there's no mandatory testing to see what most would happily consider as appropriate for road use.
This is true but some people do get an order to attend an inspection and there are quite severe penalties if you don't go. But watching Just Rolled In, I dare say they are few and far between. It's not just small indy tradesmen that do this either. I've been to a used car megastore in Cambridgeshire 5 years ago to pick up a car and the car clearly hadn't had it's MOT done legitimately - the car had a leaking damper and failed tyre (worn on inside edge). Both of which should have been picked up.
Legitamately the MOT test is only valid for when the car went in for the test. Immediately after the test the garage/seller could indicate to the garage to remove XYZ from the car to make a profit down the line whilst doing their best to hide it from a punter. In the same way they don't care if it fails on some minor items yet gets them the sale.
I trust dealers as far as I can throw them - too many bad experiences.
Legitamately the MOT test is only valid for when the car went in for the test. Immediately after the test the garage/seller could indicate to the garage to remove XYZ from the car to make a profit down the line whilst doing their best to hide it from a punter. In the same way they don't care if it fails on some minor items yet gets them the sale.
I trust dealers as far as I can throw them - too many bad experiences.
To counter any arguments on here, Brakes will pass a test if they work, it is then up to the tester to decide if they need an advisory or not. Does not explain the handbrake not working though, although that could be a snapped cable that happened after the test. Perished tyres will only fail if you can see the cords. But should be advised. Suspension can be worn but not fail, oil leak is not a fail or even necessary to advise for.
If you then take your car to a specialist to get it checked you are going to end up with a big list of faults. If you took it for another MOT you would probably only get a couple of advisories.
The wear a specialist or dealer will highlight as bad will be very different to any legal limit an MOT tester will highlight.
If you then take your car to a specialist to get it checked you are going to end up with a big list of faults. If you took it for another MOT you would probably only get a couple of advisories.
The wear a specialist or dealer will highlight as bad will be very different to any legal limit an MOT tester will highlight.
I had a cortina ( paid £100) that the inner / outer sills were black mastic , it passed its mot with my mate for a few years but even he said change it in the end .
Got another cortina for apx £150 , lasted a fair few years motd at my mates .
Didn’t have a choice as that’s all the money we had , amazing as all we hear is boomers like me have had an easy life !!!!
Doubt these kids of today have to fill there cars bodywork with black mastic !!
Got another cortina for apx £150 , lasted a fair few years motd at my mates .
Didn’t have a choice as that’s all the money we had , amazing as all we hear is boomers like me have had an easy life !!!!
Doubt these kids of today have to fill there cars bodywork with black mastic !!
Those are valid points ARHarth. MOT isn't a 12 month warranty, it isn't even a 12 day warranty, it's just a test of basic functions at a point in time.
Statistics are supposedly analysed to ensure a testing station doesn't have a suspiciously high proportion of passes. I guess that could in theory me manipulated by a dodgy tester creating false fails to balance out false passes and generate some more workshop income along the way.
Statistics are supposedly analysed to ensure a testing station doesn't have a suspiciously high proportion of passes. I guess that could in theory me manipulated by a dodgy tester creating false fails to balance out false passes and generate some more workshop income along the way.
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