MOT's and Main Dealers

TheTallGuy · Jul 2, 2021

Some years ago when I was a young driver I had an exhaust blowing somewhere near the front of a car, so took it to a certain big name outfit. "It's the original one piece exhaust so we'll have to replace the lot - we've got the bits in stock & can do a special price of £250", fair enough got it done as I needed it done quick.

Six months later the rear silencer started blowing, so realising that they'd probably had me I took it back & didn't mention the previous replacement... sure enough "sorry sir, it is the original one piece exhaust so we'll have to replace the lot...." I asked for a printed quote as I would have to get the money off my parents.... they got a bit cagey, but eventually gave me a quote.

I drove to the branch in the next town, explained the situation & showed the paperwork... the manager there couldn't have been more helpful. Up on the ramp with the car & he freely showed me that not only was the "one piece exhaust" made up of several pieces, but was also able to show that the previous fix was done with a sleeve & the exhaust fixings hadn't been disturbed for a long time. A quick call to his boss & I got a full refund and the exhaust properly repaired for free as a good will gesture. A couple of weeks later & there were "Under New Management" signs outside the original branch - apparently head office had already been investigating & my case was the clincher.

Paddington · Jul 2, 2021

I have posted this before, but it always makes me smile. Took my Astra to K*****t for two new tyres, left the car and went to do some shopping. Got back after half an hour and job not done Why ? Well they couldn't get my fancy alloy wheels off, didn't have the right sized socket. I didn't have alloy wheels. I borrowed a screwdriver from the young lad and flipped both plastic wheel trims off, to reveal steel wheels ! The expression on his face was priceless, he asked if I was an engineer ? Hate to think of him let loose on brakes. Think there was a parody of their advertising campaign "you can't get thicker than a K*****t fitter".

TheTallGuy · Jul 2, 2021

Paddington said:
I have posted this before, but it always makes me smile. Took my Astra to K*****t for two new tyres, left the car and went to do some shopping. Got back after half an hour and job not done Why ? Well they couldn't get my fancy alloy wheels off, didn't have the right sized socket. I didn't have alloy wheels. I borrowed a screwdriver from the young lad and flipped both plastic wheel trims off, to reveal steel wheels ! The expression on his face was priceless, he asked if I was an engineer ? Hate to think of him let loose on brakes. Think there was a parody of their advertising campaign "you can't get thicker than a K*****t fitter".

My first car (MK II cavalier) had different width wheels front to back - I bought new front tyres from K*****t & the fitter suggested that as one of them was okay & one of the back ones wasn't particularly good that he could swap them around!

Courier · Jul 2, 2021

Just do what should be the basic weekly checks B4 taking your vehicle to a main dealer service and mot - You will save a small fortune, change wipers for new, fill the screenwash bottle, check ALL the bulbs, rub your fingertips over the full width of each tyre and check the tyre pressures. Alloy wheels give you the chance to do a cursory brake pad/disc check without jacking up the vehicle and keep a record of the results of those checks.
Cultivate a good relationship with your local motor engineer ( ours prepares amateur rally cars and use them whenever your vehicle has run out of warranty

Martin Holden said:
I use an independent Volvo specialist for my XC 70. So far and 110000 miles later I have been very satisfied with their service and costs. The last service I asked for change of the auto trans’ oil and rear diff. That was expensive but well worth it. Very happy so far

Changing gearbox oil at recommended intervals could be one of the most cost effective servicing procedures "on the planet".

We have a Toyota Corrola runabout which suggests that the auto gearbox NEVER needs its oil changing, that is probably 'cos the lifetime expectancy is no more than 150,00 miles, whereas a change of ATF every 75k miles or so will make sure that the reason for scrapping the car will not be the transmission.

feilding · Jul 2, 2021

I always work on the principal that if a vehicle needs fuel then all the fluid levels need checking, and tyres for pressure. I do it for tractors or road vehicles. Don't think I need to change my system.

Mur Huwcun · Jul 2, 2021

Exfarmer said:
They do take a bit of getting used to, my wife hated it until her hip gave her issues with a clutch, having learnt to drive it properly she would never go back, even with a new hip.
Kick down coming in to the corner to change the gear down as you approach the bend.
The only issue I have is reversing out of the garage, why did they make it so you push the stick forward to go back? Makes it worse being used to driving tractors where it is the sensible way!

Have you tried a Merc with the stalk on steering column to select drive or revers!!! That’s wrong way around aswell!!!

Martin Holden · Jul 2, 2021

Courier said:
Just do what should be the basic weekly checks B4 taking your vehicle to a main dealer service and mot - You will save a small fortune, change wipers for new, fill the screenwash bottle, check ALL the bulbs, rub your fingertips over the full width of each tyre and check the tyre pressures. Alloy wheels give you the chance to do a cursory brake pad/disc check without jacking up the vehicle and keep a record of the results of those checks.
Cultivate a good relationship with your local motor engineer ( ours prepares amateur rally cars and use them whenever your vehicle has run out of warranty

Changing gearbox oil at recommended intervals could be one of the most cost effective servicing procedures "on the planet".

We have a Toyota Corrola runabout which suggests that the auto gearbox NEVER needs its oil changing, that is probably 'cos the lifetime expectancy is no more than 150,00 miles, whereas a change of ATF every 75k miles or so will make sure that the reason for scrapping the car will not be the transmission.

Volvo said no need to change the auto box, Haldex and diff oils!! I disagreed. Oil is way cheaper than a failed auto box because the oil is old. Mine was a bit on the dark side so my dealer was pleased we changed it (sure he’s earning from it but he hopes I buy another Volvo so he can retain my custom - and I probably will!)

2wheels · Jul 2, 2021

Exfarmer said:
They do take a bit of getting used to, my wife hated it until her hip gave her issues with a clutch, having learnt to drive it properly she would never go back, even with a new hip.
Kick down coming in to the corner to change the gear down as you approach the bend.
The only issue I have is reversing out of the garage, why did they make it so you push the stick forward to go back? Makes it worse being used to driving tractors where it is the sensible way!

totally agree about the stick operation being arse for elbow . who was the ++++ who thought that up?

Lincsman · Jul 2, 2021

Exfarmer said:
They do take a bit of getting used to, my wife hated it until her hip gave her issues with a clutch, having learnt to drive it properly she would never go back, even with a new hip.
Kick down coming in to the corner to change the gear down as you approach the bend.
The only issue I have is reversing out of the garage, why did they make it so you push the stick forward to go back? Makes it worse being used to driving tractors where it is the sensible way!

Mine is back to reverse, from Park at the very front, (in garage situation) but once in reverse you come back further to Drive

2wheels · Jul 2, 2021

Lincsman said:
Mine is back to reverse, from Park at the very front, (in garage situation) but once in reverse you come back further to Drive

they are all like that. it should be park with the stick rearmost the forward one for reverse, forward one more for neutral then all the way forward for drive. not going to happen as no manufacturer will want to be out of step.

kiwi pom · Jul 2, 2021

We have a couple of different testing stations in town, that only do tests, no repairs. I find they give a far better appraisal of your cars condition. Dealers will usually have you on something, even if its only wiper blades.

ollie989898 · Jul 2, 2021

Lincsman said:
What is special abouts Volvos Electric park brake? would have thought they are all from similar parentage, especially Ford.

As I understand it, you need to plug in a laptop to back the rear brakes off fully so you can change the discs.

Ford/Volvo did share some components and platforms but not for long. Volvo's way better built than any blue oval product.

Lincsman · Jul 2, 2021

ollie989898 said:
As I understand it, you need to plug in a laptop to back the rear brakes off fully so you can change the discs.

Ford/Volvo did share some components and platforms but not for long. Volvo's way better built than any blue oval product.

I dont know who makes the Ford type (and Evoke interestingly according to parts compatibility) but it only takes a button pressing sequence wind them back, which is good for the owner as anyone can do it at no cost, being committed to a dealer with a laptop is not ideal, but gives the dealer an income stream.

If i can find it again I will link it as it might work on a volvo anyway.

JeepJeep · Jul 2, 2021

Small battery and pigtail you'll rewind the EPB's.... to do the pads.

FonterraFarmer · Jul 3, 2021

kiwi pom said:
We have a couple of different testing stations in town, that only do tests, no repairs. I find they give a far better appraisal of your cars condition. Dealers will usually have you on something, even if its only wiper blades.

Ironically my ute only ever went back to the main dealer for it's first service... back in 1985....

ajcc · Jul 3, 2021

Took L200 to main dealer after lack of power and engine management light symptoms. Asked for analysis and quote to fix?
30 minutes later and a cup of coffee (no sir, we don’t allow customers in workshop) Hmmm turbo wastegate Sir. ....It will need a new turbo fitted sir, we could do it late next week for £1400.
I’ll give it some thought and get back to you!
Home, google, you tube,a pair of mole grips and a can of wd40. Never did get back to them over last four years!

Paddington · Jul 3, 2021

Despite the probably hundreds of pages of test procedures, the standards of MOT's seem to vary widely across the country from the hour on the ramp job (including tea breaks) to the quick walk round, kick the tyres, flash the lights job. My old Disco soldiered on for years with holes in the floor, wheel arches, inner wings etc (not structural, guv), only to fail after another 4K miles with 3 pages in red, when another tester did the job. On the other hand having a Rangie completely fail its braking system with two pipes rusted through at 70mph one morning,

with nine months remaining on its MOT, persuaded me to change to another MOT test station.

Pistonbroke · Jul 3, 2021

Local Toyota main dealer does our Mitsubishi. Last four years it's advisories that haven't been done,this year no mention of them. Maybe some magic mechanical elves snuck in at night and fixed everything

Campbell · Jul 3, 2021

DVSA small print says the test is a judgement of the vehicle on the day. So does that get them out of any subsequent litigation for failures..?

Lincsman · Jul 3, 2021

Paddington said:
Despite the probably hundreds of pages of test procedures, the standards of MOT's seem to vary widely across the country from the hour on the ramp job (including tea breaks) to the quick walk round, kick the tyres, flash the lights job. My old Disco soldiered on for years with holes in the floor, wheel arches, inner wings etc (not structural, guv), only to fail after another 4K miles with 3 pages in red, when another tester did the job. On the other hand having a Rangie completely fail its braking system with two pipes rusted through at 70mph one morning, with nine months remaining on its MOT, persuaded me to change to another MOT test station.

Maybe you should have a proper service and not rely on MOT testing to pick up faults, as most stuff they do isnt tested eg. age of cam belt.

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