Mot fail 2014 E-Class W212 brake pipes

[Blobcat]

I'm grateful for the responses received. Some are obviously not aware of the latest MOT tests as 'failed' can have two levels. 'dangerous' and 'major' Only a 'dangerous' fail means that you cannot drive it.
UPDATE: I took the car today to an independent garage which is also an MOT test centre. They applied emery and have reported that all pipes are worthy and will pass the test. As to why an authorised Mercedes dealer passes their customer's cars to another garage for MOTs I do not know. Maybe they lost their MOT qualification at one point. If they were sure that their inspection report was accurate they should have taken my side and discussed the failure with the MOT garage before telling me that the repair was going to cost £400.
Bottom line is that the independent garage now has me as a customer for my Mercedes and for my Mazda MX-5 Mk4. Oh and after owning three E-Class I doubt I'll be heading back to Mercedes. I know that I will not have ongoing digital service records but I have all the past records on paper.

A lot of garages farm their MOT tests out. I used Mercedes because they’d do it for £30 and give it a wash as well.

 

[00slk]

A lot of garages farm their MOT tests out. I used Mercedes because they’d do it for £30 and give it a wash as well.

Car machine wash or hand wash?

 

[Blobcat]

Car machine wash or hand wash?

Machine wash, not keen on a hand job...

 

[ajlsl600]

These days it pays to check everything.

 

[joderest]

Yes, was unaware of new rule.
I suspect your Mercedes garage were looking forward to taking £400 + off you to replace brake lines. In the past I have had advisories on MOT the brake lines corroded, my tester always said to clean them up and re paint them, which I always did. Only ever replaced one on our old Discovery TD5.
Well done for seeking a 2nd opinion.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Pleased you’ve resolved the problem goodness knows how many brake lines have been replaced due to a light coat of rust providing you can see all the brake line and treat it not a problem.

Some useful information on rigid brake pipes here:

https://www.motester.co.uk/mot-test-of-brakes/

 

[Craiglxviii]

Machine wash, not keen on a hand job...

With all those grubby microfibre cloths and those big nasty containers of unchanged wash solution used across the day...

 

[Jason63]

My 2014 C63 had a full MB service history. Before my MoT this year I checked the car over and found my rear brake lines were corroded. It was just the one line across the rear of the car; the rest were fine. I'm disappointed a B service six months before at MB didn't pick up on the problem.

It's incredibly difficult to assess how bad the corrosion is and sometimes it can look bad. The wall thickness is quite decent so often they can be rubbed down and painted anyway I wasn't prepared to take the risk. Here's what they looked like:

 

[Blobcat]

With all those grubby microfibre cloths and those big nasty containers of unchanged wash solution used across the day...

Don't forget the 38% hypochlorite... Does a great job on the wheels...

 

[Jason63]

And here's what the worst bit was like when I replaced it! Not ideal. Not impressed with MB, the car had even had two B services in a row prior to this.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Not good is it cost cutting at it’s worst the grade of metal used on 14 plate cars must be suspect I’d certainly have a good look underneath if I owned one but not always easy with all the plastic underbody covers used nowadays

 

[Altamar]

My local MB garage did a B/C service yesterday and all items were ticked okay including brakes. A video was sent. They sent the car to a local MOT test centre where it failed stating both rear brake pipes were corroded.

I am glad it's sorted for you now but the key question for me would have been "dear MB dealer, why did you tell me all was well (including the brakes as evidenced by the video) and then not challenge the fact it failed the MOT hours later? One of you must be wrong and I am not sure why it is down to me to decide which."

 

[Rory]

A lot of garages farm their MOT tests out. I used Mercedes because they’d do it for £30 and give it a wash as well.

The Inchcape owned dealer I used to use had a 'guarantee' it would pass next MOT - forget if it was £500 or £750. Car used to get a remarkably clean bill of health.

 

[matthew k]

Don't forget the 38% hypochlorite... Does a great job on the wheels...

That's shocking on a 6 year old car!! Well, it is to me. The scary thing is lot's of the pipes on mine are hidden by plastic, I'm a bit frightened to probe further now, mines 15 years old!!!

 

[Kev555]

powder or plastic coated cheapest untreated steel they can find for brake pipes nowadays

 

[Kev555]

That's shocking on a 6 year old car!! Well, it is to me. The scary thing is lot's of the pipes on mine are hidden by plastic, I'm a bit frightened to probe further now, mines 15 years old!!!

Dont worry once they start to go they blow the plastic or powder coating off to make room for the rust

 

[matthew k]

Dont worry once they start to go they blow the plastic or powder coating off to make room for the rust

I meant the plastic panelling, but yeah, shocking. 6 years, SMH. I'm just scared what's lurking under the car now!!!!! On the flip side, you've got an AMG to cheer you up!!! Nice car

 

[DIYMAN]

I meant the plastic panelling, but yeah, shocking. 6 years, SMH. I'm just scared what's lurking under the car now!!!!! On the flip side, you've got an AMG to cheer you up!!! Nice car

The independent MB garage I used for years had a routine job to spray the brake pipes with wax oil after every time the car went on the lift.

 

[ajlsl600]

Savin another 10 cents or so. I have remade all on my 02 A Class. But that's getting on.! You would think a so called quality car would have decent quality pipes. But then again I would not ecpect to replace the shxxe quality wheel bolts every three yrs.that look like a rusty 20 yr old anchor. I think modern MB only seem good quality if yr changing then every 2 yrs, no accident that, methinks.

 

[ajlsl600]

Something changed. Cos my 01 clk320 passed its mot last month with an advisory on front flex, but I have never replaced a single metal pipe. I will be looking a new tail box in 2 yr tho. If anyone knows an economic source, MB are not..