Ford Puma MOT confusion?

(2012-02-04 15:15:07)

1. Laura D Says: Ok i put my Ford Puma through an MOT a few days ago at a local garage at the top of my street, its a small business. It failed the MOT on these issues

Rear axile bushes
Fuel tank
Offside track rod end ball joint
Nearside front lower suspension arm
Nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover
Front break discs
Front break pads

I was quoted £570 including labour parts and VAT. My boyfriend wasn't happy because basically im a woman and he seems to think they were robbing me. I have since taken the car to a very large MOT company called Motor depot and they also said the car failed its MOT but only on the 1 issue which is this

Offside track rod end ball joint

Im soooooo confused! this is only going to cost me £50 and as you can see this is a massive differance in price and issues! is the other small garage ripping me off? as im a bit worried that things have just been missed on the 2nd MOT i had done :/

Also the first MOT i had done the brake discs and fuel tank leaking were redeemed as DANGEROUS so why would i be able to drive away??

Thanks for your answers! :)

2. Neil Says: Contact VOSA - the government agency that monitors MOTs.
One or other of the MOT garages wasn't doing its job properly. Without examining the car, we cannot tell if the first one was trying to get away with charging you for unnecessary work, or if the second one was passing an unsafe car, or both. Whichever it is, it needs to be reported to the authorities.

See http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_4022113

3. boy boy Says: i own an mot station ..if the first mot was right then there is problem wth fuel tank ..and price quoted are not over the top ..if it all needs doing ..but if there is an issue with fuel tank ..how did second one miss it?..and to be honest if we found a leaking tank you would not drive away ..suggest you get it sorted at station no2 ...but check them about the fuel tank

4. Hello Dollyx Says: Yes this is classic let's get the female driver rip off. Its happened to me and several of my friends. When you get a good garage or mechanic, keep them, they're worth their weight in gold. Things haven't been missed on the 2nd one, they're just not trying to rip you off : D

5. Fox Riley Says: To be honest, that sounds about right, there is a lot of work there but if he isn't happy then you could always take it to another garage and get a second quote.

But that sounds OK to me.

EDIT: Woops, should of read it thoroughly lol but anyway I'd report them.

6. Timbo is here Says: There are 2 main possibilities here
1. The first MOT is correct and you were silly to drive away in a dangerous car -THAT WAS YOUR DECISION ALONE NOT THE GARAGES AS THEY CANNOT PREVENT YOU DRIVING IT AT ALL
2. The second MOT is correct and the FIRST GARAGE ARE RIP OFF MERCHANTS - maybe

What I believe is that the truth lies somewhere between the 2 extremes. No one on here can really tell you anymore than that without insecting the car.

I would take it to a local council run MOT station that does not do any repairs at all to get an unbiased view.
IF THE TANK IS LEAKING, ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS COST, IT COULD GO UP IN FLAMES WITH YOU IN IT.