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Teenagers

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

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 Blush (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? Wink Hmm)

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:
BlueMongoose · 06/11/2021 16:19

If there's nothing you can do about it, maybe you could use the time to get lots of practice in? Then he can be confident he will pass next time. I'd try to keep lessons going a bit more than just a few days before if you can possibly afford it- maybe one a month? It's easier for an instructor to nip a bad habit in the bud than for family to.

Joystir59 · 06/11/2021 16:27

It's often absolutely fine to drive a dented car. My own has a damaged pranged rear bumper strapped up with silver duct tape, and has passed its MOT for years like that because it's cosmetic not structural. It's a very old car and we weren't prepared to pay for a repair or lose NCB for it. And the prang has sentimental value- my wife did it, and she isn't with us any more.

MyDcAreMarvel · 06/11/2021 16:29

It will cost more in weekly lessons till April than the cost of fixing the car.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 06/11/2021 16:34

There are dent removal companies who might be able to pull the dent out, depending on its location and providing the paint is not chipped. It’s cheaper than taking it to a body shop for repair, but it will depend on the severity of the dent as to the cost.

Foolsrule · 06/11/2021 16:36

Sounds like the vehicle is not roadworthy, hence the examiner refusing. Lesson learnt there, OP. It’ll cost you more in retakes and extra lessons than it would to pay the excess somehow between the two of you.

Lockdownbear · 06/11/2021 16:39

The point is if the top of the wheel arch is pushed it and the wheel exposed its not only classed as an MOT fail it's illegal to drive.
The wheel is posing additional danger to anything or anybody the car may hit.

So should the police pull the car over, not only would the learner be in bother the supervisor (examiner) could also be in bother, penalty points / fine.

So I can see why he'd err on the side of caution when it comes to a car that may not be completely road worthy.

Derbee · 06/11/2021 16:42

@MyDcAreMarvel

It will cost more in weekly lessons till April than the cost of fixing the car.
But the OP hasn’t fixed the car, and isn’t paying for weekly lessons either.
ElsieMc · 06/11/2021 16:43

All very disappointing op. I think you blame yourself for your son's upset and disappointment. But onwards and upwards now. My gs's girlfriend got a paid for app and got a cancellation where she passed first time. Maybe your ds needs a little bit of confidence building first, perhaps a few more lessons and use the instructor's car. Good luck.

Oblomov21 · 06/11/2021 16:49

Have you had a garage look at it. They'll be able to tell you if it's roadworthy, safe, if it's an mot fail. If they say no, it's ok, then you have evidence to write to examiner and complain. What did driving instructor say? If they'd been insistent, I'm sure examiner would've done it. I bet you examiner had grounds, unfortunately.

REP22 · 06/11/2021 16:50

When I had my driving test it was not long after another driver had gone into the back of me. The damage was evident and the boot was tied shut with twine. But the car was still roadworthy, so the examiner and I shared a smiles of commiseration and I was still allowed to take the test.

I'm very sorry for you and your son that he couldn't take his test. I'm not sure what to suggest in order to cheer him up. Maybe he can take it as an opportunity to squeeze in some extra practice to improve his chances when he does take it?

Either way, best wishes to you both. x

Grumpylate20s · 06/11/2021 16:52

Misleading title after reading what ACTUALLY happened, seems like a cry for attention or click bait etc. Surely your son can just drive the instructors car or have I missed something 🤔

Derbee · 06/11/2021 16:55

If your son isn’t confident enough to use his instructors car, he might not be ready for a test. He can use the extra time to practice and become a more confident, safer driver

GreyhoundG1rl · 06/11/2021 17:03

Have you had a garage look at it. They'll be able to tell you if it's roadworthy, safe, if it's an mot fail. If they say no, it's ok, then you have evidence to write to examiner and complain
Well, hardly.
If she'd done this in advance and had the evidence to hand, maybe.

OnTheBoardwalk · 06/11/2021 17:05

The wheel is posing additional danger to anything or anybody the car may hit.

This what @Lockdownbear says. The whole point of a car exterior is no sharp points or dents

I had a friend who was reversed into by a car with a damaged bumper. She suffered real damage to her leg due to the car having a previous dent they hadn’t bothered fixing.

Even if not claiming have you told your insurance company about the accident? You can tell them for information only if you not claiming

iklboogiemaninthecloset · 06/11/2021 17:11

If they say no, it's ok, then you have evidence to write to examiner and complain

No point writing to the examiner about anything, it's the DVLA OP would need to appeal. But if the dent is anything like the pic DH says there's no way it would have been test acceptable. The location & extent makes it a 'dangerous fault' for a driving test.

LuluJakey1 · 06/11/2021 17:23

[quote Drivingt3ster]@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....[/quote]
The issue is you have no idea that this 'dent' is just a dent. The bump could have caused damage to the steering, to things to do with how the wheel works (you can tell I know nowt about the inside of cars). The examiner can't take the risk if completing a test in a car he does not know is actually safe to drive. That is quite a bash.

amsadandconfused · 06/11/2021 17:23

Oh bless you . Really don’t beat yourself up but I understand as a Mum your probably feeling rubbish about it ! Not sure what to suggest for his immediate disappointment.X

beastlyslumber · 06/11/2021 17:27

Driving test genie will get you cancellations. Really good app.

cultkid · 06/11/2021 17:29

If we don't see a pic nobody can comment and advice

If it's not a bad dent I would suggest appealing

Dbank · 06/11/2021 17:42
  1. Borrow the money to fix the car
  2. Next time don't borrow someone else's car you can't afford to fix or pay the excess for.
Triphazards · 06/11/2021 17:47

[quote Drivingt3ster]So kind of like this, but not sharp
www.torquecars.com/articles/dent-removal.php[/quote]
That's not safe to drive.

cultkid · 06/11/2021 17:51

Omg you can't drive a car like that!!

Lonelycrab · 06/11/2021 17:57

The photo in the torque cars link isn’t really a dent is it. Half the wheel arch has been destroyed. As has been said there are strict rules about how much exposed tyre you’re allowed. As a large part of the arch has been destroyed/mashed it won’t be road legal anymore.

MyDcAreMarvel · 06/11/2021 18:01

@Derbee But the OP hasn’t fixed the car, and isn’t paying for weekly lessons either. her son will need the lessons though. He can’t just stop driving until his test.

Triphazards · 06/11/2021 18:08

@Lonelycrab

The photo in the torque cars link isn’t really a dent is it. Half the wheel arch has been destroyed. As has been said there are strict rules about how much exposed tyre you’re allowed. As a large part of the arch has been destroyed/mashed it won’t be road legal anymore.
And it looks like the tyre will foul the edge of the wing when you go over a road bump.