Since they've been the subject of quite a bit of adverse comment here in the past I thought I'd relate our most recent experience of a leading fast fit outfit. The wife's car needed it's MOT but having been involved in a accident whilst parked some weeks earler and sustained some rear end damage, we were loath to take it to our usual garage about 45 mins, drive away and decided to take a chance on the nearest fast fit MOT centre. I arrived in reception, booked the car in and asked if I could speak to the guy who'd be doing the inspection. I took him over to the car to run through a couple of things with him and almost as an afterthought mentioned the fact that due to the rear damage the hatch wouldn't open. I'd been previously informed by another garage that this wouldn't be an issue as long as the spare tyre and rear suspension mounts could be inpected from inside the car (which they could) so was more than a little upset to hear this. At this point I was fearing the worst but, to cut a longish story short, the mechanic said he'd see what he could do and would proceed with the rest of the inspection. He soon managed to spring the hatch open but it wouldn't shut properly so he and a colleague set about knocking knocking out the dented bodywork and adjusting the locking mechanism until they finally managed to get the hatch to work properly. They then carried on with the rest of the inspection and after about 40 minutes reappeared in reception. Much to my amazement, not only had the car sailed through the MOT but they didn't even make a charge for the work they'd done to fix the rear hatch. Delighted with the outcome I added a 'drink' to the £39.95 bill and I left the premises with my faith restored!
It makes a nice change to be able to report some good news about these places so WELL DONE GUYS!!
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I am sure it would appropriate to name the firm and branch you used.
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(1) Spare tyre isn't part of the test. (unless it's underslung and has then to be secure).
(2) I've never seen them check suspension mounts from inside the boot, always from underneath. (my boot has always been jam packed full and they've never asked to empty it - or even look).
Martin
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(1) Spare tyre isn't part of the test.
However, the vehicle presenter should be informed when it is noticed that there is a defective tyre on a spare wheel.
www.motuk.co.uk/manual_410.htm
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"I took him over to the car to run through a couple of things with him and almost as an afterthought mentioned the fact that due to the rear damage the hatch wouldn't open. I'd been previously informed by another garage that this wouldn't be an issue as long as the spare tyre and rear suspension mounts could be inpected from inside the car (which they could) so was more than a little upset to hear this."
To hear what, exactly?
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all doors must open for the mot
i would be very annoyed if my mot man didnt look in the boot for corrosion
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Sorry - a line of text seems to have been lost in there :)
The MOT guy said it would be an automatic fail if it didn't open/close properly.
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Don't forget though that when checking things such as the boot floor for corrosion or the suspension tops in the rear, there is no dismantling to be done, if the tester can't see it then he can't fail it. With most modern cars having fully trimmed boot spaces, there is nothing the tester can do from inside the car.
With regard to the spare wheel, he can advise what he likes but again he can't fail it even if it is completely bald with cuts and bulges in the sidewall. Like it has already been mentioned as long as it is secure in its storage area, then thats as far as it matters for the MOT.
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