Can they do this?
Turbo Mini Forums

My sierra went in for its MOT but they had to abandon the test as the old girl overheated during the emmision test.

With the test abandoned the garage insisted I paid full price, I asked about a retest and then they informed me that as it wasnt a failed MOT they are charging for it and there is no re test option, so I will have to pay for another MOT.

The stupid thing is that it passed the emmision test and the engine could then be turned off, but they were not having any of it.

I ended up paying as they wouldnt let me have the car back otherwise, I was just wondering if I've been ripped off or is this a legit thing?

Cheers for input guys

Dan

Just tell em to fcuk off....

JF.

Report them to VOSA ASAP
http://www.motuk.co.uk/appeals.htm
If they were performing the test legally, the tester would have had to have logged onto the computer before starting the test and thus it would have had to be a "fail" so allowing you a free retest (just on emissions, assuming everything else passed).

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

I think what they are saying is that emissions results usualy get better the hotter the engine becomes and as the engine is so hot, it could just bring the emissions levels bellow the high limit. Having said that, if that was the case, i would have thought that the results would have been marginal anyway. There are no high temperature limits on the test other than it saying in the testers manual that it has to be within manufacturers limits, what ever those are and that judgement is down to the tester.

However!!

The wankers are ripping you off!! If they were in the middle of a test and it over heated and the tester judged that the engine temperature was above reasonable limits, even though it passed the emissions test, to warrant him failing it, its a fail plain and simple. They were carrying out an MOT, it either fails or it passes. I would phone VOSA and ask their advice.

Deffo something dodgey going on in that garage.

Edited by Sprocket on 2nd Jun, 2008.

I took my car into my usually helpful garage and got stitched up for an abandoned test fee. They did relent and only charge me 50% but even so it was a bit of a pain. However, the best bit is the reason they abandoned the test. They couldn't get my car onto the ramp as it is too low, no grabbing a piece of wood to drive it onto so my sump cleared the centre jack , just oh dear it's too low we'll have to abandon the test and by the way here's your bill.

Took it elsewhere and got it sorted, won't be taking my car there again..

MOT tester = BAC

-MINI CLUBMAN 1380 TURBO-

Years ago, mine split a hose once and apparently flooded their little garage with rusty looking water. Lol

Sumpnut,

from the sound of it you should bide your time, wait till you dont feel to great then go back an flood their workshop with rusty water!

Pretty sure that if they deliberately withhold your car from you, it is theft.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Thanks for the input guys.

I have tried to contact VOSA but they never answer their bleedin phones! I will definetly chase this up with them....

I thought if the emissions are ok, even if the engine is running like a bag of shite, they would pass it.