Fraudulent MOT?

[AirVTS]

Long story short....

Just got this VTS.

The guy who I got it from works at a garage who also do MOT's. coincidentally it passed the MOT just before I got the vehicle. I reckon his garage has just passed it for him so he can sell as it now has a host of problems.

Took it to my local mechanic who said for starters the brakes are badly corroded and shouldn't have passed through an MOT. I'm now getting him to do me a whole list of stuff similar so I can go string the seller up by his nuts.

Anyone know what the best course of action would be aside from burning the place down?

I've been told to report the garage to the ministry of transport/vosa?

Not so short story after all!

[0rang3peel]

Yeah, report to VOSA.

[Pieface]

Why I now never buy from a dodgy looking garage who have done the MOT, got done by it before.

[welshpug]

yup, report to vosa, they may want to have a test centre check over your car as well, which sounds like it may be worthwhile doing.

unless you paid top dollar I wouldn't bother trying to get any money back, they'll lose out enough from having to do MOT's properly, or potentially losing their MOT licence.

[vtr91]

You cant fail a car for badly corroded brakes anymore.. that was taken out a while ago.
You can only advise if it passes the service brake efficiencys.

[AirVTS]

yup, report to vosa, they may want to have a test centre check over your car as well, which sounds like it may be worthwhile doing.

unless you paid top dollar I wouldn't bother trying to get any money back, they'll lose out enough from having to do MOT's properly, or potentially losing their MOT licence.

If all goes well I just want them to put the car right. And learn their lesson. My old man however, will be looking to make them pay through the nose with his firms solicitors doing their handiwork

[vtr91]

What have you found thats wrong with it that wasnt found on the mot then? You have only mentioned the brakes wich wouldnt have failed.

[Mochachino]

I usually check a car over before I buy one.

[AirVTS]

What have you found thats wrong with it that wasnt found on the mot then? You have only mentioned the brakes wich wouldnt have failed.

For starters the front wipers were badly worn and corroded and didn't clear the windscreen, one so bad that the rubber was hanging loose. Which the MOT centre said they'd change but they didn't. And it still passed.

The front brake discs are cracked and corroded and only 50% of the pad on the right is being used (says the mechanic)

The coolant filler cap had no spring causing a pressure release and the car to overheat.

The engine management light came on two days after purchase showing a fault with the O2 sensor, I know this could have happened but it seems more of a coincidence than anything else.

There is a serious knocking in the steering under braking which I'm still not sure what this is.

This is just after a brief look over. My mechanic is doing a full look around the car tomorrow and I am pretty certain he'll find a lot more things so I'm thinking we have a pretty strong case for complaint?!

[AirVTS]

I usually check a car over before I buy one.

A a glance, on the surface it seemed ok bar a few littles niggles like the windscreen wiper so I didn't expect this much trouble.

I left my X-ray specs and foresight at home that day so missed the other bits like the faulty O2 sensor and worn pads :wink:

[vtr91]

I doubt it will get far tbh.. all they need to say is that it was fine at the time of test. How long ago was it tested?

[Prickle]

driveshaft

[vtr91]

And pads will onlly fail if its below 1.5mm (thickness of a five pence piece) if they cant see the inner pads they cant fail. If the efficiency was met, its a pass and advise.
Its frustrating for you I know, but I bet they can cover it all.

[AirVTS]

Tbh they probably will have an answer for everything but I've got a third party (mechanic) who is gonna write a statement suggesting it shouldn't have passed the MOT in the first place. It was only tested about a week ago so a lot of things wrong with it show a long term problem that would have been present before the MoT was taken.

I know it's gonna be a battle but my old man has some good lawyers for advice etc and if all else fails....... I'll just have to resort to a not so polite route

[Mochachino]

Tbh they probably will have an answer for everything but I've got a third party (mechanic) who is gonna write a statement suggesting it shouldn't have passed the MOT in the first place. It was only tested about a week ago so a lot of things wrong with it show a long term problem that would have been present before the MoT was taken.

I know it's gonna be a battle but my old man has some good lawyers for advice etc and if all else fails....... I'll just have to resort to a not so polite route

As others have said an MOT is only valid while its on the premises of where the MOT was done. Theres nothing you can do at all.

[AirVTS]

As others have said an MOT is only valid while its on the premises of where the MOT was done. Theres nothing you can do at all.

I'm pretty sure there is something can be done or VOSA wouldn't issue an 'incorrect MOT pass/fail form'

I've got reasonable cause to believe its a fraudulent MOT and an unbiased third party to vouch for it. Something will get done. Fortunately as far a legal services go I have quite a bit of help. I'll keep you updated.

[L33h]

I usually check a car over before I buy one.

same here...

[stevo67]

A a glance, on the surface it seemed ok bar a few littles niggles like the windscreen wiper so I didn't expect this much trouble.

I left my X-ray specs and foresight at home that day so missed the other bits like the faulty O2 sensor and worn pads :wink:

This is why & not being funny here,that you take a mechanic along with you view a car,or at least someone with a bit of car knowledge.:drink:

[Carl-h]

An MOT covers the car on the day of the test. Who's to say the lad hasn't swapped the parts over after the test? Give up, move on and learn from it.

[AirVTS]

This is why & not being funny here,that you take a mechanic along with you view a car,or at least someone with a bit of car knowledge.:drink:

The power of hindsight is incredible man. Serious lesson learnt over here :oops:

[AirVTS]

An MOT covers the car on the day of the test. Who's to say the lad hasn't swapped the parts over after the test? Give up, move on and learn from it.

You could have a point mate. We'll see what happens when I ask the garage, they may be really nice about it........... Maybe.

[manta]

Within 3 months of the test being issued, you might have a leg to stand on.

It's a time frame thing, like if theres a hole in something, would the hole have been there a week before when the mot was done? You get the idea.

[smiith]

You cant fail a car for badly corroded brakes anymore.. that was taken out a while ago.
You can only advise if it passes the service brake efficiencys.

So unsafe brakes, wouldn't fail an MOT? lol okay then.

[AirVTS]

Within 3 months of the test being issued, you might have a leg to stand on.

It's a time frame thing, like if theres a hole in something, would the hole have been there a week before when the mot was done? You get the idea.

I'm hoping so mate. It's only passed a week and has clearly subject to a 'blind eye' scenario. The tester didn't see 'this' and didn't see 'that' etc

Most of the response from folks on here is that nothing can be done so ill give it a go and if no joy then it'll be another one of life's lessons. :wacko:

[L33h]

aslong as it passes the balance and stopping force it will pass

[f13sta]

So unsafe brakes, wouldn't fail an MOT? lol okay then.

as an mot tester you cant fail brake discs unless seriously weakened and you'd be suprised how bad they actually have to be.

apart from the wipers this car doesn't sound like it would have failed an mot.

problem is that most of the mot test it to the testers descression so what one person would fail. another may not, they may just advise.

the wipers could be a delegated job that genuinely got forgotton on a very busy work day.

i can understand your position.

its just a wait and see what your mechanic comes back with.

[smiith]

He just said the disks had cracks in.. If that isn't seriously weakened, what on earth is?!

[DAMSK11]

How did you miss all of these things when you viewed the car? Seems to be an awful lot wrong that you have missed.

[vtr91]

So unsafe brakes, wouldn't fail an MOT? lol okay then.

No. Failing brakes on discs due to corrosion was taken out a few years ago, and can now only be advised.
They took it out because alot of garages were failing them and there were lots of desputes.
Brake condition is an advisory( unless in a seriously weakened condition), but you can put a dangerous marker next to it. And pads fail if below 1.5mm

He didnt mention the discs were cracked when i posted :)

[chimnehp0ts]

hey i never checked my car over when i got it and that went ok for me a cambelt and aux belt later...

[KieranHopkins]

I'm guessing they are one of those garages that take a bit of extra cash for a pass certificate? Only thing you can do is inform vosa and hope they visit them with a clear fail on the ramps.