Problems surface after 12 months

[pkinsey]

Hi. Need some advice please. I bought my S class just over 12 months ago, from a local dealer (not mercedes). Car came with an MOT which had been conducted on the dealers behalf 2 weeks beforehand.

I have just had this years MOT done and it has unearthed problems that can only have existed when the last MOT was conducted - lighting issues that could cost up to £1000 and steering probs that have so far cost £300.

What recourse (if any) have I got with the dealer, MOT tester or even Finance company. Any help, advice appreciated.

Thanks, Peter

 

[coopz]

not a pigs chance in hell after 12 months--little or no chance after 12 days,

 

[jberks]

I suspect - none. Unless you have real evidence that they fiddled the MOT, they will simply say that the car was ok when it was inspected and must have deteriorated since. We all think of an MOT as being a strict evaluation of the car, but in fact, most MOT issues are down to the personal opinion of the inspector - in short, there are no rules and failure commonly has more to do with how much money the centre wants to make out of you than it does the condition of the car. So, your car can fail miserably, be driven out and pass with flying colours next door and both are right!
Ok some things are clear, like broken components or holes but most areas are titled 'excessive play'. But you try defining "excessive". A garage that deals with 3-5 year old cars commonly may expect tight tolerances as that what they see. One that gets mainly older cars may know that 3 times that play still has no effect on the car. One will fail it whilst the other will pass it.
I had a Ford fail on a leaking steering pump. Not happy I went for a 2nd opinion. The 2nd garage said, yes, lots do that but it's only a slight seep, the tank is full and so the steering is fine - and passed it. Its a minefield.
try a 2nd opinion on the current failure, you may be surprised.

 

[bigbobs CL]

An MOT is simply a report on the car on that particular day, if the lights work when it`s tested it will pass, all the bulbs could blow the next day but it passed when it was tested. I`ve just MOT`t my Skyline ready for trading in, it passed on everything but the tester pointed out excessive play on the inner joint on the front drive shaft. I asked him what would happen if it failed and he basically told me the car could lock up and spin out of control. The Skyline is capably of speeds in excess of 170mph so i was surprised it wasn`t an MOT failure, but to keep my concience clear had a new one fitted. Just goes to show they don`t really mean that much at the end of the day!!

Bob

 

[dragon]

Try to befriend a garage you can trust not any garage.

There are garages who are interested in your further business to line their pocket. Neither should you go to any clean posh garage.

It a minefield. It £48 pound now and avoid Saturday appointments. Do it on quiet days like Tues or Weds.

 

[Aviator]

I use a garage that dosen't do any repairs M.O.T. only. I have an old car and have never had any issues with them, they are also not out to generate buisness.

 

[television]

The only chance with a dodgy MOT is to check if another garage had failed the car on the same points Check with DVLA

 

[pkinsey]

Thanks guys

 

[silverhorse]

can you go to another MOT station for a second opinion as everything is recorded on computer now to DVLA at the time of testing