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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bit stuck while car is in garage, what are my options?

21 replies

Felixfriend · 30/08/2022 12:57

Posting for traffic (ha!)
Not been in this situations before, car has failed MOT, and it’s a complicated part that needs replacing. While it’s being ordered and fitted and re-tested I’ll be without the car for a fortnight. I live alone, can’t get lifts from anyone. I can get public transport to work (albeit inconvenient) but the big problem is I need my car during the day as part of my work (think peripatetic music teacher sort of role) and using public transport will be impossible for this.

If I had been in an accident or broken down I could get a replacement lease car through insurance or breakdown cover, but I don’t think those would cover MOT failure.

Anyone been in this situation or have ideas about what I should do? Is a hire car my only option? I’ve been researching prices and it’s insanely expensive, like £700+ 😰

OP posts:
Loachworks · 30/08/2022 12:58

Does the garage have a courtesy car?

Handsnotwands · 30/08/2022 13:01

What about a car share app. Turo is one I’ve heard of

Original poster
Felixfriend · 30/08/2022 13:01

Sadly not, it’s a small local garage.

OP posts:
Original poster
Felixfriend · 30/08/2022 13:02

Thanks, I will take a look for the app. I live quite rurally so my hopes are limited 😬

OP posts:
mewkins · 30/08/2022 13:02

Hi OP, did the thing that needs replacing means it counts as a dangerous fail eg. Not allowed to drive it? Have you looked into whether you can get it repaired quicker elsewhere?

Original poster
Felixfriend · 30/08/2022 13:08

Yes unfortunately it is too dangerous to drive. Lots of garages said they wouldn’t do it (I can’t remember the actual part that needs replacing and I’ve left the MOT report with the garage, it’s a big piece on the underside of the car). I think waiting for it to arrive will take the most time, and then fitting it will take at least 2-3 days, then it needs to be retested. This sucks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Felixfriend · 30/08/2022 13:10

I think maybe I will try to rearrange my work diary so I only need a car on certain days, then hire one for those days only.

OP posts:
mattressspring · 30/08/2022 13:12

You can check the MOT online to find out what it was.

ErrolTheDragon · 30/08/2022 13:19

Felixfriend · 30/08/2022 13:10

I think maybe I will try to rearrange my work diary so I only need a car on certain days, then hire one for those days only.

Probably your best bet. Are there any days when it'd be more cost effective to use a taxi/Uber?

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 30/08/2022 13:23

Got any friends or family with a spare car (eg one of my kids has gone back to uni so car is in garage, another friends child is just learning to drive in a cheap run around) you can get insured temporarily and bung them a bit of cash for the privilege

Snailsaresweet · 30/08/2022 13:26

Might be worth checking if there are any community car clubs in your area, as they're a low-cost way of getting access to a car. Co-wheels is one www.co-wheels.org.uk/ but I think there are others.

DogInATent · 30/08/2022 14:04

Hire car is usually your best option. It's one of those things you need to allow for in the rainy day fund when you rely on your own car for work.

I've been there before. Managed to rearrange my diary and took the cheapest deal that Enterprise could offer for the days I couldn't re-arrange into admin days.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 30/08/2022 14:12

Rearranging diary + Zipcar / car club / taxis. What would be the consequence of cancelling a week’s, say, of lessons?

Akite · 30/08/2022 14:16

I'm in a similar position. I've been waiting now nearly 4 weeks for the part to arrive and it's not expected for another couple of weeks. The garage has courtesy cars but they are all out already with other people also waiting weeks and weeks for parts. How confident are the garage that the part will arrive promptly?
I made do without for a few weeks but have had to give in and do a long term (month) hire in the end

mewkins · 30/08/2022 15:38

Felixfriend · 30/08/2022 13:08

Yes unfortunately it is too dangerous to drive. Lots of garages said they wouldn’t do it (I can’t remember the actual part that needs replacing and I’ve left the MOT report with the garage, it’s a big piece on the underside of the car). I think waiting for it to arrive will take the most time, and then fitting it will take at least 2-3 days, then it needs to be retested. This sucks.

If it's a big thing that takes 2-3 days to replace is it worth keeping the car? Have you considered replacing it before spending the money on this?

eurochick · 30/08/2022 15:51

Do you have any friends who commute by public transport and don't use their cars on weekdays? I've insured a friend and let him use my car when I didn't need it in similar circs (obviously he paid for the insurance and fuel).

SatinHeart · 30/08/2022 15:58

That's a bit crap of the garage, we use a tiny local place and he still managed to lend us a little runaround when ours was waiting for parts recently.

Sounds like your plan of moving things around and reducing the days you need to hire one is going to be the best option OP,.

maltravers · 30/08/2022 16:01

How about cycling or an e-bike?

PulvisEtUmbraSumus · 30/08/2022 16:08

You can check what your car failed on by going here and inputting you reg no. It helpfully gives you several years of history (useful if you're contemplating buying a new car) but it will certainly tell you what your most recent failure was caused by. www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

gogohmm · 30/08/2022 16:20

Call independent car hire places, check the yellow pages type listings as if they don't have a proper website they are probably cheaper. I know it's £150 a week here and probably could negotiate down for two weeks +

Agrudge · 30/08/2022 16:26

I'm interested to know what part needs replacing and what car

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