Mercedes - MOT Test

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Tue 9 Apr 2013 22:47
Mercedes - MOT Test - jacko028

Hi all , just wanted peoples advice ......had my car MOT'd last week and it failed on a lower arm ball joint . I asked how much this would be to repair and I was told £160 , I asked how much was the actual part was and I was told £90 and then 2hrs labour to fit . As it happens they were a stones throw away from Euro Car Parts so I popped in there to get a price on the part and my registration details and the part prices were still on their system as the garage had just called them for a price .....the price for the part was £14.25 and that was to me not the garage who get a better price £11 ! I know garages mark up on parts but that's crazy ! Anyway it doesn't end there , I get my mechanic to do the job and in his opinion the ball joint wasn't too bad , slight movement but not a fail ( but that was his opinion ) so he replaced the ball joint and brake pads . I took the car back in for a re-test today and was asked for the keys so he could check the mileage . I watched ( the owner of the garage ) go out to my car , lean in and get a mileage reading and come back into the office . Not once did he even glance towards the wheel . He then charged me £14 for a re-test and handed me a certificate . I was stunned that he did not check to see that the work had been completed . What do you all think ?

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Tue 9 Apr 2013 22:48
Mercedes - MOT Test - brum

Welcome to the real world......

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Tue 9 Apr 2013 23:02
Mercedes - MOT Test - gordonbennet

If you own a Mercedes you should find a recommended make specialist indy, not a car to let any tom dick or harry mess about with.

Out of interest the genuine ball joint would have been about the same price from the MB parts counter, be thankful you don't have one with welded in ball joints that requires (in my case) a complete new wishbone @ £250 to £325 each, or an air suspension sports model which would have meant a new strut @ over £1000 each, plus fitting of course..;)

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Tue 9 Apr 2013 23:02
Mercedes - MOT Test - jacko028

That's helpful thanks ....so you obviously think it's ok to have an MOT done and for a garage to not check the work before issuing a certificate ?

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Tue 9 Apr 2013 23:13
Mercedes - MOT Test - gordonbennet

so you obviously think it's ok to have an MOT done and for a garage to not check the work before issuing a certificate ?

I didn't mention the MOT so what gives you that impression.

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Tue 9 Apr 2013 23:23
Mercedes - MOT Test - jacko028

Well the thread was about the MOT so I presumed that this was the subject you were referring to ....." welcome to the real world " is hardly very constructive in this situation , but we are all entitled to our opinions so that's obviously yours . Thanks for the welcome !!

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Tue 9 Apr 2013 23:01
Mercedes - MOT Test - Cyd

I would have insisted that if he's going to charge, then the least he should do is put the car on a ramp and check the work has actually been done.

Or offer him the opportunity to discuss his actions (or lack of) with an official from VOSA.

I wouldn't be going back there again. If his workmanship on the retest is so sloppy, it brings into question his workmanship on the MoT itself. I like my MoTs to be firm but fair and I like to know if there's anything I should be aware of, even if its not a fail.

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Tue 9 Apr 2013 23:19
Mercedes - MOT Test - jacko028

No - I will definitely not be going there again !

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 09:33
Mercedes - MOT Test - TeeCee

Oh, I dunno.

I used to use a place that did that. They'd fail the car on something, I'd go away, fix it and then bring the thing back. They'd look at me, ask if I'd fixed it, I'd say yes, they'd check the milage and write the ticket.

I always thought that it was nice that they trusted me.

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 10:20
Mercedes - MOT Test - jacko028

Never thought of it like that , but maybe I should be pleased that I have an honest face !!

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 10:56
Mercedes - MOT Test - 72 dudes

In your shoes I think I would be going back, asking why they didn't check the repair had been done and why the price for the ball joint was as quoted rather than say £11 plus a 50% mark-up?

The only thing I can think of is that the MOT guy would have a close relationaship with the Euro Car Parts guy and may have said in passing "oh the guy with the Merc you failed bought the part and is getting it done himself".

Still no excuse though.

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 18:32
Mercedes - MOT Test - Andrew-T

I think I would be going back, asking why they didn't check the repair had been done and why the price for the ball joint was as quoted rather than say £11 plus a 50% mark-up?

The thing is - you know the testers tried to screw you on the cost, and you know they know you know. So if you go back they may play straight? But perhaps not, so go somewhere else ....

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Thu 11 Apr 2013 18:52
Mercedes - MOT Test - jamie745

This is why I always used to buy my own parts and just get the garage to fit them. I've stumbled across an honest independent these days though who looks after any car i've got. The S-Type's main dealer service history has been ruined, as the stamps read '....Jaguar, Jaguar, Jaguar, Jaguar, Steve...'

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Fri 12 Apr 2013 12:25
Mercedes - MOT Test - martint123

This is why I always used to buy my own parts and just get the garage to fit them. I've stumbled across an honest independent these days though who looks after any car i've got.

The only problem with this is if something goes wrong shortly after. I know of someone who had a clutch replaced with his own supplied parts - it failed after a month - now who pays for the labour in replacing the failed part (which was supplied as a free replacement)? If the indy supplied the part in the first place I guess it would be down to him.

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Fri 12 Apr 2013 13:21
Mercedes - MOT Test - Rats

use the local council for MOTs........better off all round

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Sat 13 Apr 2013 07:28
Mercedes - MOT Test - Simon
The garage sound like right sharks, I would just steer clear of them and encourage others to do the same...
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Sat 13 Apr 2013 09:14
Mercedes - MOT Test - Collos25

The mark up on parts is no more than any main agents puts on and the hourly rate might be a lot cheaper.

I also notice in the new MOT regs a part regarding DPFs if a car was fitted with one when new then it must have one for the test all those people who ilegally removed theirs will no doubt be rushing around trying to get them refitted when the test is due.

Edited by Collos25 on 13/04/2013 at 09:18

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