Car related thread alert! MOT failure.

[Brandane]

My much praised 2006 Toyota Corolla with 88k miles on the clock has finally cost me more than routine maintenance.
I took it for it's MOT test today and it failed . The front suspension arms on both sides are badly corroded and need replaced. £520 to fix if I want genuine Toyota parts; £320 if I settle for pattern parts (which will do for me).
Not bad I suppose for a 10 year old car. Previously all it has needed is normal servicing items. It has blown one headlight bulb, one sidelight bulb, and a rear reg. plate light in all that time. I'm just hoping this isn't the start of some big bills . Perhaps time to sell?

 

[classic33]

Something like this?

 

[fossyant]

It's a wear part.

 

[fossyant]

It's probably with labour cost

 

[Profpointy]

£300 every now and again isnt bad even if it's a couple of times a year. You're hardly going to get another car up to much for £300 after all. Different story if it's a series of things. My car's maybe 15 years old and worth relatively little bit I'd spend its total value on a repair quit happilly so long as it remains broadly sound ocerall

edit Reading the OP again I note 88000 miles. My then 10 year Saab had 72000 on it when I bought and has now done around 127k and still perfectly fine - and is running better than when I got it - but I've fixed eveeything that came up - maybe £500 pa on average

 

[classic33]

It's probably with labour cost

Toyota labour expensive?

 

[screenman]

That sounds a lot, what parts exactly need replacing.

 

[Brandane]

That sounds a lot, what parts exactly need replacing.

Unfortunately I didn't have my glasses with me to read the paperwork I was presented with (but I believe it is the suspension control arms). It was Helensburgh Toyota, a well respected local (ish) dealer. Had it been one of Arnold Clark's franchises I would have run a mile (my car wouldn't have been in one of his places in the first place). Yes I could probably have got the job done cheaper if I had taken the car away to an independent garage - but would then have got stung for a second MOT test fee. The price is fully inclusive of labour and 20% gift to HM Treasury.

 

[swee'pea99]

Have to say if it was me I'd ask/shop around a bit before coughing up that kind of cash. Main dealers tend to be very costly. Even if you did have to pay for a new MOT, you could end up way ahead of the game - and you might find yourself the good independent you need to keep a 10+ year old car running economically.

 

[Brandane]

Have to say if it was me I'd ask/shop around a bit before coughing up that kind of cash. Main dealers tend to be very costly. Even if you did have to pay for a new MOT, you could end up way ahead of the game - and you might find yourself the good independent you need to keep a 10+ year old car running economically.

My experience of independent garages around my local area is not good. In fact seriously unimpressed with work done on previous cars (and stories from other victims), and to cap it all they are not cheap! I would rather use a franchised dealer with a good name, even if it costs a bit more. If it turns out they are kicking the arse out of it, then I won't use them again.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Just had a kia service for 300..we needed a few waranty checks and a couple of bits replacing..
service will be done at a mates garage next time..
kia charge 135 per hr.
, but time and money play a big part in the service quality
a lot of independant garages are superb..as are a lot of main ones

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I have a great backstreet garage as my regular, recommended by my prior mechanic upon his retirement. Finding a good un who charge decent prices is a great bonus.

Unfortunately its in Oldham so no help to you @Brandane, sorry.

 

[User33236]

My 2008 VW Passat failed its MOT this year on the side repeater built into the driver side mirror. Local VW dealer quoted me a three figure sum to replace it. I bought the part off the internet for £12.75 and fitted it myself.

As above I suspect labour costs put a large percentage towards the final bill

 

[Asa Post]

My much praised 2006 Toyota Corolla with 88k miles on the clock has finally cost me more than routine maintenance.
I took it for it's MOT test today and it failed . The front suspension arms on both sides are badly corroded and need replaced. £520 to fix if I want genuine Toyota parts; £320 if I settle for pattern parts (which will do for me).
Not bad I suppose for a 10 year old car. Previously all it has needed is normal servicing items. It has blown one headlight bulb, one sidelight bulb, and a rear reg. plate light in all that time. I'm just hoping this isn't the start of some big bills . Perhaps time to sell?

Spooky!
My 2002 Corolla failed the MOT yesterday - badly corroded front brake discs.
Now repaired, but I'm also thinking that it's time to look for something a bit younger.

 

[Garry A]

My 52 plate Micra failed it's MOT due to corrosion on just about everything so I traded it in and got a 5 yr old Hyundai i10 with only 10k on the clock at a good price. To fix the corrosion would have cost more than the old Micra was worth. Sometimes it just feels good to have something new (ish).