Hi all, not sure if this is the best place to post this but I'm just looking for some advice.

My Mum currently drives a 2005 VW Golf 1.4 FSi which went to our local mechanic last week to have its MOT. Now we have used this mechanic for a number of years and he has always seemed relatively competent/capable however I have discovered a serious case of incompetence!

Before the car went for its MOT, both the ABS and ESP warning lights were illuminated on the dash and through a little internet research I discovered it could be an issue with the cars ABS pump. Now the mechanic uses an MOT testing station minutes from his garage, and after checking the car over took it for the MOT which it passed (no advisories). I collected the car from the garaged and asked what work needed done on it and was told there were ABS/ESP lights on the dash. I the asked what the problem actually was and was told it was 'an electrical problem that was fixed'.

After driving the car home I noticed the clock time was way out and that the airbag light had come on however both the ABS and ESP lights were now not lit. The car isn't driven very often however I took the car out today to put petrol in it and driving on the snow noticed that the ESP was not limiting wheel spin and all four wheels locked up under braking (no ABS intervention). Also the ESP on/off button was illuminating 'OFF'. The ESP light did not even flicker when wheel spinning.

Anyway I done a little detective work tonight and have since discovered that in order for the car to pass its MOT (as with the ABS light on it would have been failed) the mechanic has simply removed both bulbs from the dashboard and claimed the car had been 'fixed'. I checked all fuses linked to the ABS system and they are still in place, however there are marks around the dash, a broken piece of plastic and between the dash and top of the steering wheel the piece of trim is now broken off.

I am extremely annoyed by this! I cannot believe that a mechanic who was trusted to make sure my Mums car was roadworthy has covered up a fault with two important stability systems, especially in weather where most roads have snow/ice on them!

I plan on taking photos in the daylight of the broken pieces of trim and marks to the dash in case I need any sort of evidence. I used to use this car on a very regular basis before having my own and would regularly spend hours cleaning the inside/outside so know that the dash was completely intact before.

Sorry for the long winded post but I am not really sure where we stand just now. Obviously I need to confirm that the bulbs are definitely missing from the back but would like another company to check this. Oh and I have checked the lights do not illuminate when the ignition is turned on like they should!

Thanks for reading this dilemma!

Scott