MOT Differences - 166TS 2.0L

Right, looking to share my experience and to get a bit of advice.
My 02 166 was failed on Fri (Blue & Yellow Fitters - lets just call them S**t Fit) in dramatic style, they inferred that I couldn't take my car until it was repaired and handed me a quote for £970. Basically they concluded that all the 4 corners bushes had degraded & needed replaced. They also failed it on broken coil spring to the rear.

Now, I obtained a second opinion today and had it re MOT'd (provided garage with S**t Fit VT30 notice), apart from the coil spring to the rear it would have passed with flying colours. By the way, given the inaccessable location, the mechanic was at a loss as to how they even noticed this (given that the MOT is supposed to be a visual inspection only).

The only recourse is to not repair and inform VOSA, so they can inspect and decide?

Please beware of these highway robbers - they appear to assume that Alfa drivers are good for it. Any comments?

Hi c12166

I wouldn't even take my worst enemy's push-bike to the 'blue and yellow brigade' - so they'd have even less chance of seing my motor.

Don't do it again

it definitely sounded like a case of "clocking up" the work there...would be extraordinary for bushes all round to have worn enough to fail an MOT....lets hope VOSA do their thing - might be worth speaking to trading standards as well.

Yep you need to speak to both VOSA and trading standards. Latter have more teeth. Make the complaint even if you think nothing will come of it because they need infor to establish a pattern from cetain.

Peanuts, monkeys etc

These kind of outfits are well known for being on bonus pay or just touting for work...avoid like the plague!!!

wrinx

You could ask for an "appeal form". That sometimes puts the fear of God into them. Unfortunately though, VOSA's appeals system is stacked against the apealant. You can't use the car until it's re-inspected and that's done by a VOSA "Standards Monitoring Inspector" - which could be a couple of weeks. You also have to pay for another MOT test. If you pass, they refund ONE of your test fees. The catch is that it might fail on something different that the original tested missed too.

Strangely, VOSA get very few appeals...

Update: It passed the 2nd MOT and I also got new plugs (bought on ebay) fitted & new plates. All for under £150. Absolutely furious about KF, but just learn and move on - VOSA Appeal sysyem is complete crap. Do you know that in Northern Ireland all the MOT centres are government run - they do not do repairs so are completely independant...........

Problem now is the missus wants me to get shot of the 166, incase something else goes wrong. Question: Anyone want a mint 02 166 with 72K on the clock, with full service history, new plugs, disks / pads & timing belt replaced at 60K?

I mean what else can go wrong with these cars - still think its the dogs knackers..........................................

Whats the starting offer?

How much for the wife?

keep the car - you've gone through the pain and as you say you've learnt the lesson about kwikfit in the process! 166's that are serviced and maintained well should be every bit as reliable as any other modern car....