Driving test instant fail - dent in car

[Drivingt3ster]

God I feel awful.
Ds18 driving test yesterday, a few months ago I dented his car just above the wheel and can't afford to fix it atm (obvs we have insurance but I can't afford the excess). Instructor agreed that it should be fine for him to do the test in it as only cosmetic, wheel not damaged an doesn't affect the working of the vehicle.

Went to driving test and the examiner said he couldn't take him out. Initially said it would be mot fail, but went on to agree it was cosmetic damage but still withheld that he 'wouldn't drive his own car around like that' as 'wheel was exposed' and wouldn't do the test. (I'm not the most technical about cars, but aren't all wheels exposed? )

I feel so upset for ds, 3rd test and he finally felt confident about it. Now looking at having to wait until April.

Ds inconsolable still, not sure what to do to help him, ideas please :(
Also, just out of interest do you think the examiner was right?

Couldn't he have used his driving instructors car?
Can't comment on your car as would need photo (completely understand why you wouldn't want to put one up, and nor asking for one, but it's not something I can pass judgement on)
I can understand why he's disappointed though, and its really rubbish for him, but crap happens for all sorts of reasons, and it just wasn't meant to be.

Oh just read it was your ds car you dented...poor boy, I can really see why he's fed up, but sounds like you've raised a lovely lad. Just get the car fixed as soon as you can afford it

I just looked at the DVLA rules and it states about the car being roadworthy so it depends if that's the case.

Could you try and get a cancellation and he use the instructors car?

Also I assume you'll pay for his next test?

You could try an appeal, with a photo of the dent in case he was overzealous.

I think that the examiner was being a power crazed c*nt. I’d complain to the DVLA or whoever he works for and demand another test for your son.

Thank you guys for being so lovely and your help!

He didn't use the instructors car just because he hasn't had many lessons since his first fail (beginning of September, fail put down to nerves) and has been using his car in the last couple lessons he did have, so isn't really used to it, but he'll have to next time!

Will of course be making a complaint (hopefully for a refund) but I'm not sure it'll come to anything as it's obviously completely up to the examiner's judgement, but you never know! Either way, I will pay for his next test and we'll both keep looking for cancellations but gosh, I feel so bad! Am also going to see what I can do about fixing it!

What do you guys do to cheer your dc up? Ds just sat in his room feeling sorry for himself. stressing about school :(

Could you post a photo of the damage please. Might be easier to judge then.

When you say ‘his car’ did he pay for it / pay to insure it?

He surely understands that running a car, paying for excess etc are really expensive and if it can’t be afforded, it can’t be afforded.

Really dispiriting experience for him, though.

Does he pay for his own lessons? The lessons to keep him refreshed before next test could cost more than the excess.

All this is the reason my Dc know that we will never be financing cars for them, so they would be envious, even given this gutting experience.

I don’t think you can really cheer them up, except allowing them to work through their upset, disappointment and frustration, snd then make a plan.

How bad is the dent?!

Impossible to say without seeing a picture of the dent!

There’s a driving test cancellations app he can try which may help him secure an earlier test, but you would need to get the car sorted asap as this could happen again

Instructor agreed that it should be fine for him to do the test in it as only cosmetic, wheel not damaged an * doesn't affect the working of the vehicle.*

Went to driving test and the examiner said he couldn't take him out. Initially said it would be mot fail, but went on to agree it was cosmetic damage but still withheld that he 'wouldn't drive his own car around like that' as 'wheel was exposed' and wouldn't do the test.

Neither the instructor nor the examiner are qualified to make the call as to whether they car is roadworthy or not. It's sensible to err on the side of caution from the examiners POV though. Your DS should not be presenting a car with damage for his test. The thing you mention about the wheel being exposed indicates it's more exposed than its should be, rather then simply cosmetic scratches on the body work. I used to work in an industry where our cars had to go for testing and anything out of position was an instant fail.

A picture may help?

Ultimately you have damaged someone else's car and are responsible for putting it right - it's no surprise your DS is upset.

Why could he not use his instructors car though?

When you say ‘his’ car but you dented it, how does that work financially? I’d be complaining to the instructor and the test centre providing evidence eg text from instructor re damage.

It was a birthday+christmas gift for his 17th as he definitely wouldn't have been able to afford a car otherwise, and he paid half (although I insured it) so i feel as though he certainly understands the cost of it and has been completely understanding, even after the test about having not been able to fix it so I don't have any concerns about that.

He's been paying for lessons with money from his grandparents, family etc from birthdays and christmas and we'll keep driving him around in his car so i think he'll probably not need any more lessons, maybe till a couple days before the next test (especially if we can get it in the next few weeks!) ... thoughts?

How bad is the dent? Is it an MOT fail? If it's not then the car is roadworthy and the examiner should not have refused the test - and I would be arguing for a full refund.

I'm surprised you say it was a "fail"

Are you sure it wasn't a "test cancellation?"

Not sure the relevance, but probably a 'test cancellation' i suppose .... not totally clued up on all the lingo and everything

A picture?

Not going to post a picture i don't think, but pretty similar to the 'before/after' image on this site
shopee.ph/9PCS-Car-Dent-Repair-Tools-Repair-Kit-Pit-Repair-Dent-Repair-Puller-i.72501996.1430335380

^just maybe a bit further down, so affecting the actual arch iyswim

So kind of like this, but not sharp
www.torquecars.com/articles/dent-removal.php

^(first image on that site)

Driving Scout are good for finding cancellations

@Eltonsglasses
Interesting.... I actually don't see the issue for a learner going for a test in a dented car, not everyone has the money to be fixing things like that (car not worth loads and loads so don't start with the 'don't buy if you can't fix') and he is a LEARNER, so obviously things can happen (although he wasn't the one to dent haha) but you see what I mean....