Mot fail pass fail

[complicateddhds]

Hi this is a complicated one but I need advise and didn't know where to ask.
2 weeks ago my car failed mot there were some issues and we are pursuing them for a refund for a part they broke themselves. However this is a different problem.
They passed the mot after apparently rectifying the issues.
I lost all faith and trust in this garage so today have taken my car to a different garage and again paid for a complete mot as I'm taking my baby in this car and didn't believe they did it properly.
My car has just failed after being passed by the other garage 13 days ago.
What do I do next? DVSA was my next port of call however wondering if anyone had ever had a similar issue and could advise? Thank you

How often do you check your bulbs? We had one car where 3 bulbs went everytime it rained so sometimes we had to replace several times a month

I reverse onto my driveway. Can see brake light/tail light reflection before setting off (ie every time I drive). I jump out to check front lights, otherwise you can see those on the road/reflected on the back of the car in front/shop windows.

Is this why so many people drive in appalling weather/at night with just (front) DRLs running? Because they have no idea how to operate lights??

So, your car failed the MOT, then passed after rectifying the problems, but 13 days later you decided to get another MOT and it failed with different problems? Basically, you have no keg leg stand on, the first garage probably missed some issues, and your car still needs fixing. I'd just get it fixed and forget about it.

(I’ve a white garage door so rear lights are clearly reflected.)

@OttilieStonelady

So, your car failed the MOT, then passed after rectifying the problems, but 13 days later you decided to get another MOT and it failed with different problems? Basically, you have no keg leg stand on, the first garage probably missed some issues, and your car still needs fixing. I'd just get it fixed and forget about it.

That's absolutely fair Thank you

If you're relying on an MOT informing you that the car is safe to transport your baby in you're an idiot (apparently one who doesn't even check their lights work...) - you need a full service done every year to give you that assurance. An MOT is so basic your car could unroadworthy the day after a successful MOT.

@titchy

If you're relying on an MOT informing you that the car is safe to transport your baby in you're an idiot (apparently one who doesn't even check their lights work...) - you need a full service done every year to give you that assurance. An MOT is so basic your car could unroadworthy the day after a successful MOT.

You need more than a service every year.

You need to engage brain and eyes regularly and check things yourself.

Also it’s way cheaper to get your bulbs replaced at Halfords (or yourself but they can be fiddly) than a garage will charge! I’d check all those basic things before you get there. And obviously you should be doing it regularly but I think you’ve already been told that!

You need to engage brain and eyes regularly and check things yourself.

Yes agree.

There are some good videos on YouTube about car safety and maintenance essentials. Lights, brakes, tyres, oil, antifreeze, fluids and so on. Things to check yourself regularly, what to look out for, that kind of thing. It’s well worth getting a bit more familiar with your car — at the moment you’re externalising your own and your family’s safety too much IMO. You’ll also feel less at the mercy of garages and mechanics if you have a bit more working knowledge on your own car.

@BungleandGeorge

Also it’s way cheaper to get your bulbs replaced at Halfords (or yourself but they can be fiddly) than a garage will charge! I’d check all those basic things before you get there. And obviously you should be doing it regularly but I think you’ve already been told that!

This is the only post I completely disagree with. Halfords is unbelievable expensive to get bulbs and wipers change. Most garages offer free fit, and you can always ask in advance. As to changing your own lights it can be easy but depends on the car.

Agree with everyone else, the number plate bulbs could have gone, and the adjustor may have been working when checked.

Also agree that an MOT is a poor choice to guarantee that the car is safe. You don't even remove the wheels for an mot, nor are you allowed to remove mud etc from underneath it is all on inspection only.

@Theunamedcat

I would expect minor defects not major after two weeks tbh

You might expect that, but something classified by an MOT test as a major defect can happen at any time. A headlamp leveller is either working or not working. If it isn't working that is classed as a major fault. There is no in-between state where it is a minor fault. The fact it was working when the car passed an MOT doesn't mean it will still be working 5 minutes later, let alone 2 weeks later.

You don’t appear to look after your car very well? When did you last service it?

@Essentialgarage
Do you run/ work in a garage by any chance?
No garage I’ve ever been to changes a bulb that costs a couple of quid for free. Or they just price their parts with a large mark up to pay for fitting. I have always been charged full rate for labour as you’d expect as they’re a business and the garage I use is about £100 an hour and they’re not particularly fast workers.
They’ve got you over a barrel if you turn up at your MOT with minor jobs needing doing.
I don’t have any affiliation with Halfords but I could recommend them for these minor jobs that don’t need a full mechanic, you can also turn up and get it done as you wait so you don’t have to drive around with a light out. Whatever option is convenient it doesn’t matter you just need it done ASAP. I’d suggest not waiting until your MOT as it won’t be cheap, you either pay or fail the mot, no shopping around at that point!

Btw I paid £8 for a bulb fitting at halford, came to about £15 altogether as I had to buy 2. I didn’t think that was bad at all

If I remember rightly you can challenge a failed mot by getting one at a council centre within a fairly short time frame. If they pass it the failing garage have to refund your test fee. Given the time involved I would chalk this one up to experience and check the very basics before going for an Mot in future.

It does however sound like you need to check your lights yourself, and a car needs more than an oil change and mot once a year.

Also it’s way cheaper to get your bulbs replaced at Halfords (or yourself but they can be fiddly) than a garage will charge

Mmm. I'm pretty okay with car maintenance but in my old Audi you had to remove part of the air intake filter to change a bulb. It took ages!

@BungleandGeorge

Btw I paid £8 for a bulb fitting at halford, came to about £15 altogether as I had to buy 2. I didn’t think that was bad at all

I do, and I appreciate it is regional for prices (and I guess Halfords is nationally priced so maybe cheaper somewhere) but we also change as you wait, and a rear bulb is £2.50 Inc vat, and this is not unusual in the garage network (not franchise just supportive family business network) as for £100 per hour and working slow, they are chancers, easy to find book times online and whilst it always takes longer (as the times are based on a new car being taken apart, time means joints seize etc) a garage shouldn't be charging on the speed, or lack of, of their employees.

Although agree with Catty some of cars need an inordinate amount of time and effort to change a bulb, I do not understand why car makers do this.

The Halfords comment only annoyed me because I honestly think they rip people off, appreciate not all will have this experience and maybe there garage rips them off (which also annoys me -and garages that don't automatically offer a six month warranty on car sales)

Although agree with Catty some of cars need an inordinate amount of time and effort to change a bulb, I do not understand why car makers do this.

It’s so that you will take it to the dealership to fix and they get £££