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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Dropped my mates car off for it yearly inspection of men in dirty overalls, sucking through there teeth ready to charge whatever they like for something that isn't broken...... Daylight robbery if you ask me!!!!  |
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"Dropped my mates car off for it yearly inspection of men in dirty overalls, sucking through there teeth ready to charge whatever they like for something that isn't broken...... Daylight robbery if you ask me!!!! "
That's one clever car to have the ability to inspect the men. Puts a whole new slant on things...will it charge nuts and bolts?  |
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First thing I do before taking my car for it's service is fill the washer bottle up, no way are they charge me £5.00 when I can buy a huge container of the stuff that lasts me over the winter for the same amount |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Join some motoring forums, its full of stories of garages 'inventing' problems with cars so they fail there MIT's. It's not just backstreet garages either, Kwik Fit is renowned for it. One guy I spoke to was told his car needed over £600 of work doing to pass, including 2 tyres. He produced the receipt for the very 2 tyres they'd failed....fitted, brand new, two weeks previously at that very garage!
He took it to another garage down the road and it passed with no work needed.
I drive an Alfa and was just quoted 2hrs labour and £150 for a thermostat by one local garage, I did it myself for £40 in less than an hour! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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We found the best way to get an honest MOT is to use the local council. Their licensing department inspect Taxis, Private hire cars etc, but also have a duty to offer MOTs if you ask them. As they don't undertake any repairs, they wont fail something that isn't faulty in order to make a quick buck. The MOT is there for safety and like it or not, it is a good thing.
When we have tyres put on our car we invariably hear at least one or two customers being told their car has failed its MOT, and funnily enough it always seems to be related to brakes, tyres, wipers, exhaust system - all things that the facility specialise in fitting!
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"We found the best way to get an honest MOT is to use the local council. Their licensing department inspect Taxis, Private hire cars etc, but also have a duty to offer MOTs if you ask them. As they don't undertake any repairs, they wont fail something that isn't faulty in order to make a quick buck. The MOT is there for safety and like it or not, it is a good thing.
"
I totally endorse this. I used my local council test centre for the first time last week. 2 minor fail items, fixed myself for £20. It's the cheapest MOT i've ever had (and my car is 14 yrs old so it's had a few!)
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"We found the best way to get an honest MOT is to use the local council. Their licensing department inspect Taxis, Private hire cars etc, but also have a duty to offer MOTs if you ask them. As they don't undertake any repairs, they wont fail something that isn't faulty in order to make a quick buck. The MOT is there for safety and like it or not, it is a good thing.
"
Thank you, that's very good advice. I will remember this when it's time to have mine done |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I always worry about being the stupid woman who knows nothing about cars when I take mine for mot. Lucky for me both garages I have used have been fantastic and car has passed first time with both. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Last month both my car and my wife's needed their MOT's. we took them both to the same garage but, as she took hers in on a different day to when I took mine in, the garage was unaware of this. Both cars failed on a few things. But what I thought funny/suspicious was that both apparently needed new 'dust caps'. Which led me to wonder whether the garage in question had bulk brought a load of these dust caps and added one on to each MOT. Seeing how they charged £35 for each one would be a quick money earner. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"We found the best way to get an honest MOT is to use the local council. Their licensing department inspect Taxis, Private hire cars etc, but also have a duty to offer MOTs if you ask them. As they don't undertake any repairs, they wont fail something that isn't faulty in order to make a quick buck. The MOT is there for safety and like it or not, it is a good thing.
When we have tyres put on our car we invariably hear at least one or two customers being told their car has failed its MOT, and funnily enough it always seems to be related to brakes, tyres, wipers, exhaust system - all things that the facility specialise in fitting!
"
Never heard of a Local Council doing MOT's! Where does it say they have a 'duty' to provide them? Would love to know - amount of run-ins I've had with our licensing dept over the years!!
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Last month both my car and my wife's needed their MOT's. we took them both to the same garage but, as she took hers in on a different day to when I took mine in, the garage was unaware of this. Both cars failed on a few things. But what I thought funny/suspicious was that both apparently needed new 'dust caps'. Which led me to wonder whether the garage in question had bulk brought a load of these dust caps and added one on to each MOT. Seeing how they charged £35 for each one would be a quick money earner."
£35 each for a dust cap! They're pence, even from Halfrauds. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"We found the best way to get an honest MOT is to use the local council. Their licensing department inspect Taxis, Private hire cars etc, but also have a duty to offer MOTs if you ask them. As they don't undertake any repairs, they wont fail something that isn't faulty in order to make a quick buck. The MOT is there for safety and like it or not, it is a good thing.
When we have tyres put on our car we invariably hear at least one or two customers being told their car has failed its MOT, and funnily enough it always seems to be related to brakes, tyres, wipers, exhaust system - all things that the facility specialise in fitting!
Never heard of a Local Council doing MOT's! Where does it say they have a 'duty' to provide them? Would love to know - amount of run-ins I've had with our licensing dept over the years!!
"
Google council mot shows everything there |
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I will only use mechanics, or any tradesmen that have been recommended by a friend.I would never pitch up to a garage I do not know, unless I was 100s of miles away from home of course.
The certificate they receive when they are trained is a licence to print money. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Last month both my car and my wife's needed their MOT's. we took them both to the same garage but, as she took hers in on a different day to when I took mine in, the garage was unaware of this. Both cars failed on a few things. But what I thought funny/suspicious was that both apparently needed new 'dust caps'. Which led me to wonder whether the garage in question had bulk brought a load of these dust caps and added one on to each MOT. Seeing how they charged £35 for each one would be a quick money earner.
£35 each for a dust cap! They're pence, even from Halfrauds."
Yeah should really have kicked up a fuss but was only when I said out loud: '£35 for a dust cap!' and wife goes 'yeah it is ridiculous isn't it?' That I found out she'd been charged for one the week before, and I couldn't be bothered to go back. Won't be using that garage again though. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Last month both my car and my wife's needed their MOT's. we took them both to the same garage but, as she took hers in on a different day to when I took mine in, the garage was unaware of this. Both cars failed on a few things. But what I thought funny/suspicious was that both apparently needed new 'dust caps'. Which led me to wonder whether the garage in question had bulk brought a load of these dust caps and added one on to each MOT. Seeing how they charged £35 for each one would be a quick money earner.
£35 each for a dust cap! They're pence, even from Halfrauds.
Yeah should really have kicked up a fuss but was only when I said out loud: '£35 for a dust cap!' and wife goes 'yeah it is ridiculous isn't it?' That I found out she'd been charged for one the week before, and I couldn't be bothered to go back. Won't be using that garage again though."
You have a case to report them to the VOSA if you still have the receipts, that is grounds for them to revoke their status as an MOT inspecting garage. I'd also consider it a public duty to do so to stop them ripping off other motorists in future. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Someone has broken my door mirror, I only have a KA the garage quoted me £156 + vat to replace it, I can get one from ebay, but not sure what I need, I'm sure I could fit it if I tried hard enough, but I think it's daylight robbery grrr |
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By *orkieMan
over a year ago
Who knows |
"We found the best way to get an honest MOT is to use the local council. Their licensing department inspect Taxis, Private hire cars etc, but also have a duty to offer MOTs if you ask them. As they don't undertake any repairs, they wont fail something that isn't faulty in order to make a quick buck. The MOT is there for safety and like it or not, it is a good thing.
When we have tyres put on our car we invariably hear at least one or two customers being told their car has failed its MOT, and funnily enough it always seems to be related to brakes, tyres, wipers, exhaust system - all things that the facility specialise in fitting!
Never heard of a Local Council doing MOT's! Where does it say they have a 'duty' to provide them? Would love to know - amount of run-ins I've had with our licensing dept over the years!!
"
Yeh its a little known fact that if a council has a garage providing MOT's for its own vehicles or taxis / private hires it has to offer the same facility to the general public , they have no interest in failing for failing sake as they are not offering repairs, servicing etc |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
You have a case to report them to the VOSA if you still have the receipts, that is grounds for them to revoke their status as an MOT inspecting garage. I'd also consider it a public duty to do so to stop them ripping off other motorists in future."
I guess I should. Will try and find receipts... Not a great filer lol. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I have an amazing mechanic who doesn't take my lack of knowledge in cars to his advantage. He just looks at me and takes pity on the fact that I don't know how to lift the bonnet on my car! I told my mum's partner today that part of his role as almost stepdad is to look after my car! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Someone has broken my door mirror, I only have a KA the garage quoted me £156 + vat to replace it, I can get one from ebay, but not sure what I need, I'm sure I could fit it if I tried hard enough, but I think it's daylight robbery grrr"
It's fairly simple, you will probably need to remove the interior door trim, which can be a little involved. The mirror is usually a couple of screws and an electrical connector. Not done one on a KA but have done plenty on Focus's. Try a local scrappy too, they're often as cheap as eBay. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Someone has broken my door mirror, I only have a KA the garage quoted me £156 + vat to replace it, I can get one from ebay, but not sure what I need, I'm sure I could fit it if I tried hard enough, but I think it's daylight robbery grrr
It's fairly simple, you will probably need to remove the interior door trim, which can be a little involved. The mirror is usually a couple of screws and an electrical connector. Not done one on a KA but have done plenty on Focus's. Try a local scrappy too, they're often as cheap as eBay."
Thank you, it's a manual mirror, no electrics, I've seen some on ebay for about £18, I'm sure I could manage it, but if not, maybe if I flutter my eyelashes someone will help me out lol |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Someone has broken my door mirror, I only have a KA the garage quoted me £156 + vat to replace it, I can get one from ebay, but not sure what I need, I'm sure I could fit it if I tried hard enough, but I think it's daylight robbery grrr
It's fairly simple, you will probably need to remove the interior door trim, which can be a little involved. The mirror is usually a couple of screws and an electrical connector. Not done one on a KA but have done plenty on Focus's. Try a local scrappy too, they're often as cheap as eBay.
Thank you, it's a manual mirror, no electrics, I've seen some on ebay for about £18, I'm sure I could manage it, but if not, maybe if I flutter my eyelashes someone will help me out lol"
Even easier if its a manual mirror. Make sure you get a mirror with a baseplate. If memory serves, there's one 17mm bolt that holds it in place, the only hard bit is lining up the doorcard when you're refitting it. |
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"Last month both my car and my wife's needed their MOT's. we took them both to the same garage but, as she took hers in on a different day to when I took mine in, the garage was unaware of this. Both cars failed on a few things. But what I thought funny/suspicious was that both apparently needed new 'dust caps'. Which led me to wonder whether the garage in question had bulk brought a load of these dust caps and added one on to each MOT. Seeing how they charged £35 for each one would be a quick money earner.
£35 each for a dust cap! They're pence, even from Halfrauds.
Yeah should really have kicked up a fuss but was only when I said out loud: '£35 for a dust cap!' and wife goes 'yeah it is ridiculous isn't it?' That I found out she'd been charged for one the week before, and I couldn't be bothered to go back. Won't be using that garage again though."
in which case how about bunging me £70 ?
m8 dig the receipt out and go back down there, local paper and trading standards will be very interested..
robbing feckers.. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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The last garage I took my car too I had a service at it.... Rear brake pads new tyre (which I knew was on its way out) and that's it.... Bonus I thought .... Month later same garage for an mot.....front brake pads, all my brake pipes corroded and new tyre (which funny enough was the one they replaced at service) and a caliper they broke renewing my brake pipes.... Good garage scheme my ass.... I took it on the chin except the tyre which I argued the toss about. Then reported them to trading standards and the good garage scheme for false representation.... Won the battle and got half my money back yay me lol..... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"We found the best way to get an honest MOT is to use the local council. Their licensing department inspect Taxis, Private hire cars etc, but also have a duty to offer MOTs if you ask them. As they don't undertake any repairs, they wont fail something that isn't faulty in order to make a quick buck. The MOT is there for safety and like it or not, it is a good thing.
Thank you, that's very good advice. I will remember this when it's time to have mine done "
Me too though, though I have been using a garage recommended to me; very cheap, family run, always good as gold, even fix it and pay later too, anything else, my son's a mechanic so I can get it done for a pint |
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