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Oct 17, 2016 12:23:40 GMT
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Hi
I am new to posting on this Board, but have lurked in the background for a while.
I bought a 2003 mini first thing in the morning with the worst hangover I have had for 2 years from a back street dealer, basically I walked round it, then drove it a mile and paid and drove it away. I needed a car quick that day.
Hindsight is wonderful, I do also know about cars, but alcohol impaired my judgement that morning, similar to the implications with women for all men!
To cut to the chase, I think its had a dodgy MOT due to:
- NSF bonnet catch wont latch, this is side is secured by the safety catch, the front of the chassis leg appears distorted/Bent ( This is what annoys me about the MOT cert)
- OSF headlight loose and along with loose ballast pack
- HID washer jet plastic deflectors missing so they would simple spray water in front of the car
- Wiper blades worn flat, no ridge at all, I have seen better condition in the scrappy.
- Washer jets miss the screen.
I know these are only easy fixes but it makes me think why did it not fail on these, therefore if it has a dodgy MOT then why, and there may be something more serious like emission based/structural etc.
Options - I could ring the garage although I doubt I will get much Joy
- The MOT is less than 28 days old so therefore can get VOSA to retest it ( The tester is from a different garage, plus an employee not a director of the MOT station)
- Contact the Director of the MOT station to persuade the employee who tested it he may want to purchase the car from me.
- Move the car on at a loss
I paid by VISA therefore could put my payment into dispute although not sure whether they are able to refund even with proof of a dodgy MOT.
Has anyone faced this situation before and what was the outcome?
What course of action would people recommend so that I potentially get my money back.
I simply don't trust the MOT due to the fudge on the NSF bonnet catch, they have adjusted the catch to its lowest setting so that this holds the bonnet somewhat level, complete bodge.
I had intended to keep the car for a few months as a stop gap and trade for something decent.
Thanks in advance
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,302
Club RR Member Number: 160
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Potential Dodgy MOTRich
@foxmcintyre
Club Retro Rides Member 160
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Oct 17, 2016 12:29:00 GMT
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When did you actually buy the car? You are covered by the Consumer Rights Act if you bought it from a dealer. If needs be, yes, contact DVSA to contest an MOT pass.
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Oct 17, 2016 12:35:16 GMT
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This thread is rather worrying.
First and foremost, if your hangovers are anything like mine, then you were probably still inebriated and probably driving illegally. So not a great start really.
Second, if you think the MOT is dodgy, you have a moral duty to inform the garage and let them know. They may need to make their own investigations. From that, if you have genuine concerns as to how bad the MOT is, then you should really get it re-tested. Even if this is at your own expense, £50 is worth significantly less than your life.
If the retest (preferably at a different center) comes back as a fail, then the first garage absolutely must be informed, as do the relevant agencies (VOSA etc). I'd also be making some sort of claim for the cost of the second MOT, as the first garage would likely be liable.
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1979 Mk1 Passat Estate 1.6 LS 1996 Mk3.5 Fiesta 1.3 Classic 1997 Mk1 MX5 1.8i 2005 Mazda 3 TS
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,236
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Potential Dodgy MOTChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Oct 17, 2016 12:40:28 GMT
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I guess there would be one pessimistic bloke here . IMO the MOT is most likely dodgy. But the failure list could have arisen questionably anytime after the MOT. You could try contesting it but I reckon it would be alot of hot air. If it was rot etc. then I would say yes, you can indeed contest it. I've once had 2 lightbulbs go out after an MOT and even had a brake hose burst 5 minutes after leaving the station despite it looking fine a week earlier, does that make the tester dodgy . Anyway, we need some nice pics :
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Last Edit: Oct 17, 2016 12:46:54 GMT by ChasR
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Oct 17, 2016 13:26:07 GMT
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The fails could have arisen after the test and i imagine that is what the testing garage would say dodgy or otherwise.There is no way to prove that the faults were present when it went for the test.
The dealer has to abide (in theory) with consumer law and the car has to be fit for purpose and in a roadworthy condition making fair allowances for age and price.You are entitled to reject it within 30 days if it's not fit for purpose or as described.
If you want a refund the dealer is your first port of call and do your homework so he can't fob you off.
Dodgy MOT's are around as we all know. I sold a car in the not too distant past that failed a legit test on bad rot in the rear suspension turrets,you could fit your arm through the holes and it was a complex repair that needed much of the rear end removing to deal with.A lad came on the train up from Kent to pick it up and set off back about midnight on trade plates.The following morning it had a full ticket by 10am !
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Oct 17, 2016 14:47:08 GMT
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When did you actually buy the car? You are covered by the Consumer Rights Act if you bought it from a dealer. If needs be, yes, contact DVSA to contest an MOT pass.
I bought it Wed October 12th.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,236
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Potential Dodgy MOTChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Oct 17, 2016 15:22:45 GMT
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Personally, I would just get your money back and move on . There are plenty of "normal" Minis for sale .
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Oct 17, 2016 16:26:24 GMT
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...... and go sober next time .....
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Oct 17, 2016 18:52:48 GMT
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Just a shame you didnt get pulled over and breath tested.
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Potential Dodgy MOTMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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Oct 17, 2016 19:00:40 GMT
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Trading standards....contact them,
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Fraud owners club member 2003 W211 Mercedes E class 1989 Sierra sapphire 1998 ex bt fiesta van
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Potential Dodgy MOTMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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Oct 17, 2016 19:00:50 GMT
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And bent mots still available ?!! All my late 80s places have long since gone!
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Last Edit: Oct 17, 2016 19:02:58 GMT by Mercdan68
Fraud owners club member 2003 W211 Mercedes E class 1989 Sierra sapphire 1998 ex bt fiesta van
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Oct 17, 2016 19:19:58 GMT
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IMO the MOT is most likely dodgy. But the failure list could have arisen questionably anytime after the MOT. You could try contesting it but I reckon it would be alot of hot air. If the garage cares about their customers they may be happy to give you a straigforward refund. As you are asking if the mot is dodgy I suggest you don't get your hopes up. Expect them to say it was fine when they tested it. It would be difficult for you to prove otherwise. I was stopped at night (driving an Escort mk3) and a quick check by the police found 4 blown bulbs. I know they were all ok less than a week before as I checked them then got it mot'd. pics, this thread needs pics ...
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Last Edit: Oct 17, 2016 19:22:41 GMT by nomad: fix broke stuff...
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Oct 17, 2016 19:37:22 GMT
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,236
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Potential Dodgy MOTChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Oct 17, 2016 19:51:34 GMT
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Is this a half decent site to use? I ask as it seemed a few years ago only HPI, Experian or the RAC (who gets up to date info from one of the two) were the only viable sources. Most seemed to bring back wrong or outdated information.
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Oct 17, 2016 19:52:56 GMT
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And bent mots still available ?!! All my late 80s places have long since gone! Unfortunatly yes. A bloke at work knows a "dial an mot" company that don't even need to see the car. They just ask for the reg, mileage ,vin number and £70 and you get a full mot with some made up advisories. I guess they get around the emissions by plugging in a different car. It's to dodgy if you ask me, I prefer to know if my cars are safe
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Last Edit: Oct 17, 2016 20:48:57 GMT by southside
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froggy
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,099
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Oct 17, 2016 20:11:22 GMT
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And bent mots still available ?!! All my late 80s places have long since gone! Unfortunatly yes. A bloke at work knows a "dial and mot" company that don't even need to see the car. They just ask for the reg, mileage ,vin number and £70 and you get a full mot with some made up advisories. I guess they get around the emissions by plugging in a different car. It's to dodgy if you ask me, I prefer to know if my cars are safe Is this garage in the yellow pages ?
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Oct 17, 2016 20:11:47 GMT
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Ask for a refund and involve trading standards if they say no. Get the full amount, not most of it due to "admin fees". After you get the refund - still report to trading standards. Once that's done, message me if you're still looking for a Mini, as my sister is selling her Cooper
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1993 Fiat Panda Selecta 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van 2006 Mercedes Kompressor Evolution-S AMG SportCoupé
"You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it"
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Oct 17, 2016 22:41:07 GMT
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southside & mercdan68 ... I was working "Dahn South" (Nottingham-shire??) a few years ago. My local Retro-friendly MOT place mentioned the other local MOT shop in the town had been closed. Rumor had it they were very happy posting out mail-order MOT's
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Why is everyone agreeing that the car is a wreck and saying go get your money back?
First off, a 2003 Mini is like a grand. Fit for purpose yes, at a grand, TS will laugh you off the phone for those faults. Only proving a dodgy MOT would interest them.
The bonnet is still closed on the far side. One of two catches aren't working, and the latch is. Ropey, perhaps. MOT fail, no. Headlight is in bonnet. Held by three nuts IIRC. Easy to happen. Easy to fix. Not worth fetching the keys to take it back, do it yourself. Jets? Tenner for some used ones. Again, what did you pay for the car? New wipers are a fiver. They may have worked fine for water clearing. Not the nicest practice by the garage, but unless they had fitted brand new ones I would have advised to replace as soon as you bought the car anyway, along with the full service and tyre check.
Do an HPI and/or get it inspected by an expert re. accident damage. Anything else is just a complete guess, and could be anything. Could be untouched.
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ferny
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 986
Club RR Member Number: 13
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Potential Dodgy MOTferny
@ferny
Club Retro Rides Member 13
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Just as viable an argument as the MOT being dodgy. Sorry.
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