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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Driving test instant fail - dent in car

128 replies

Drivingt3ster · 06/11/2021 13:14

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?

OP posts:

NewLifePending · 06/11/2021 14:42

That’s a bit more than a dent… how did it happen?

BabyLove22 · 06/11/2021 14:45

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Eltonsglasses · 06/11/2021 14:46

' A bit like' isn't remotely helpful.

Eltonsglasses · 06/11/2021 14:47

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....

Why are you shouting he is a learner when it was you that dented the car

user1471543683 · 06/11/2021 14:48

My DS failed a couple of weeks ago and I signed up with Testi app. Paid £8.99 and it informs me of any tests available at his test centre. You have to have a test booked (his was end of jan 2022) but we've already got one for 5 weeks time which gives him a few more lessons to practise but not the horrendous long wait. But my notifications still go off constantly with cancellations so I'm sure your DS would get one before Xmas.

Eltonsglasses · 06/11/2021 14:49

Also you were told what the issue was. A piece of wheel is exposed. That piece is not supposed to be exposed. The examiner has no evidence the car is roadworthy, it may have damage underneath.

BruceAndNosh · 06/11/2021 14:50

If it's more like the second pic the dent could be affecting the shape of the wheel arch. Is there any circumstance that pulling the steering into full lock eg when manoeuvring means the tyre could hit the dented arch?

Original poster

Drivingt3ster · 06/11/2021 14:52

@Eltonsglasses@BabyLove22
If you don't think it's helpful... no need to help
Didn't mean it to look like 'shouting' rather just showing what I was trying to say!
I'm sure i could have found the money if i'd absolutely needed to, but ds wasn't overly fussed, and everyone I spoke to didn't see it as an issue!

OP posts:

Original poster

Drivingt3ster · 06/11/2021 14:53

@BruceAndNosh
It's actually further away from the tyre now as it's kind of upwards (maybe safer now then )

OP posts:

spotcheck · 06/11/2021 14:54

@BabyLove22

You dint his car and can't even be arsed to find the money to repair it? And are now looking for ways to blame the examiner. It is all your fault, awful parent you are.. your poor DS deserves better.

Oh please! Op paid for half a car, insures it. I'm not sure I'd claim for that either. What an incredibly awful thing to say

Shitfuckcommaetc · 06/11/2021 14:54

What did you hit?! I was expecting a small dent. That's massive!

godmum56 · 06/11/2021 14:55

yup if the actual wheel arch is affected i can see why the examiner refused

BackBackBack · 06/11/2021 14:55

Are you expecting to pass an MOT with the dent? If it's anything like the link you've provided I am not sure that you would - in which case the examiner was right to refuse the test.

godmum56 · 06/11/2021 14:56

what i think is you dented it, you fix it

diamondpony80 · 06/11/2021 14:58

That's a pretty big dent if it's like the pictures and should really be fixed - if you did it to someone else's car you'd have to find a way to pay for it. It's very unfair that your DS had his test cancelled because of it. If I were you I'd be doing everything in my power to come up with the money to get it fixed and help him find a test cancellation asap.

girlmom21 · 06/11/2021 14:59

I'd expect the instructor to cover the cost of the test if you can't get your money back as they should know whether the test would have been cancelled based on the damage and assured you it would be fine.

I'd recommend continuing lessons in the instructors car so you know there's no issues the next time.

girlmom21 · 06/11/2021 14:59

@godmum56

what i think is you dented it, you fix it

I'm sure she will. When she can afford it.

Eltonsglasses · 06/11/2021 14:59

I'm sure i could have found the money if i'd absolutely needed to, but ds wasn't overly fussed, and everyone I spoke to didn't see it as an issue!

It doesn't really matter what anyone else said. You dented his car so should have got it sorted. I presume it never saw a mechanic otherwise you would have said and have evidence to give to the examiner that the car was indeed roadworthy. You can ask five thousand people but if none of them are qualified to make the assessment their opinions are worthless.

Eltonsglasses · 06/11/2021 15:00

Haha don't be ridiculous. The instructor is just that, an instructor. Not a mechanic or otherwise qualified to assess damage to vehicles. He is not responsible for any costs here.

Eltonsglasses · 06/11/2021 15:02

The biggest issue here is not that the test has been cancelled but that the car has been driven about like that for months which could be causing more damage to vital parts of the car.

RJnomore1 · 06/11/2021 15:02

Oh. The risk with that is part of the tyre is exposed to a biggish item could get in and get trapped at the wheel I think. If it does look like that second photo you posted (first wouldn’t work) I don’t think that car is necessarily safe to drive.

MissMaple82 · 06/11/2021 15:12

I slowly reversed into the corner of a wheely bin, it hit momentarily but caused massive damage. Why go on about asking what they hit, assuming they must of hot a house or something

diddl · 06/11/2021 15:15

It's a shame that he couldn't have used the instructor's car.

If the examiner felt that the car could be unsafe then I don't blame him for not getting in.

He's not a mechanic, but with nothing to say that the car was or wasn't safe had to make his own decision there & then.

girlmom21 · 06/11/2021 15:16

@Eltonsglasses

Haha don't be ridiculous. The instructor is just that, an instructor. Not a mechanic or otherwise qualified to assess damage to vehicles. He is not responsible for any costs here.

It's not ridiculous. If the instructor wasn't qualified to make the call they should have said that.

rachb2019 · 06/11/2021 15:16

I would suggest separating the issues.

From what I have read he has failed the test twice already. Focus on getting him in with a competent driving instructor for a small number of lessons who will then also let him use the car for the test and hope you can then get a cancellation so the test can take place asap.

Once he has his driving license you can then focus on getting his car roadworthy.

The critical thing is getting his license before he forgets everything he has been taught - not the temporary problem with the car.

Not sure if this helps - but that is my opinion on this. Hope you are okay.

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