Took it about 5 weeks ago to a testing station and it failed on 3 things - leaking muffler, rust around the boot and around the aerial. Didn't get the repairs done in time so took it in to a mechanics today for another check - didn't repair first in case it needed something else as well.
It failed big time. There's rust everywhere, a seatbelt anchor was loose, a spring damaged, sway bar and ball joint worn. Muffler is worn out and the wipers need replacing, park light blown and then they ran out of room to list stuff. There's also other issues that aren't bad enough to fail a warrant but will need attention.
Am I right in assuming it didn't happen in 5 weeks! I'm not really sure if the testing station was useless, or the mechanic is dodgy(unlikely)
lyng1,
Apr 13, 11:05am
If you're going to get it fixed, go somewhere other than this warrant check place. Then someone else is seeing if all this is necessary and it won't be a way to get work.
richardmayes,
Apr 13, 11:08am
It sounds like oyu have more to worry about than recriminations with the testing station!
The 'rust everywhere' wouldn't have all happened during those 5 weeks. The blown park light could well have done though. Wiper blades are so easy and cheap to replace, they are hardly worth mentioning IMO.
I have known different garages / testing stations to have HIGHLY divergent ideas about what's a worn suspension joint and what's merely an old but perfectly acceptable one.
How on earth does a spring get damaged!
bellky,
Apr 13, 11:09am
Yes and how does a sway bar get worn!
yogibearz,
Apr 13, 11:09am
You are correct, It didnt happen in 5 weeks. You have a classic case of two different wof inspectors having different ideas in how to interperate the VIRM. VIRM is the book out lining the required inspections and standards for pass or fail. I know which of the inspections you have had that I would prefer to be guided by. This is not at all uncommon. Have had some classic disagrements with testing stations over the years.
gemini_gurl,
Apr 13, 11:10am
So a third place! I doubt I'm going to get it fixed, it will no doubt be more than the car is worth.
I'm more concerned over whether the testing station is passing things that are unsafe - the mechanic showed me some of the rust that wasn't picked up on, and if I should complain some how or if the mechanic just saw me coming.
yogibearz,
Apr 13, 11:14am
Third place would see some of it differently again. But it would cost you another check fee to find out. There is a complaint process that should be displayed at the office of each inspector.
gemini_gurl,
Apr 13, 11:14am
Sway bar links! (Can't read the writing too well, sorry) and some covering on the spring, fibreglass or something.
I always assumed a testing station would be impartial, so wouldn't fail on things that didn't need to be done but there was a standard that needed to be met.
richardmayes,
Apr 13, 11:29am
Testing stations (in my experience) are pretty strict in their interpretation of the standards, and will fail a lot of fairly borderline issues that a lot of honest garages would not be worried about.
So for a garage to find a whole raft of extra problems the testing station did not, I would suspect any error or dodginess is more likely to be with that garage not the testing station. (although I only know what you've told us on this thread!)
bitsy_boffin,
Apr 13, 11:53am
Do you have a scanner, or camera, so we could see the WoF checksheet and exactly what was written.
msigg,
Apr 13, 3:35pm
Get over it. You need buy a new one and think yourself lucky that this one has last until now. Don't go blaming others. Safety, yea right!
richardmayes,
Apr 13, 3:47pm
I don't think gemini_gurl is trying to blame anyone for the condition of her car.
gemini_gurl,
Apr 13, 5:32pm
Seriously, that makes no sense. I'm the only one who drives it, therefore the condition is up to me. Whether it's roadworthy/safe however is a different issue.
I think that is the funniest post I've read this week
falcon15,
Apr 13, 5:52pm
when the garage went to enter the check online they probly saw that it had failed a wof elsewhere so nailed it thinking you were just shopping around seeing who would pass it
n1smo_gtir,
Apr 13, 6:04pm
I only take it to vtnz as they dont make profit on what they fail as they dont get the opportunity to make money on the things they fail.
stealthbida,
Apr 13, 6:08pm
also a possibility.
mugenb20b,
Apr 13, 6:11pm
What year and make is the car!
gammelvind,
Apr 13, 6:22pm
Tend to agree with this thought
mopsy3,
Apr 14, 7:38am
When you issue a WOF you go online after the check not before. So would not know it had failed when carrying out the inspection.
kazbanz,
Apr 14, 7:41am
OP--repeat after me. "I accept responsibility for my vehicles upkeep" Rust 'everywhere" you can't honestly say you weren't aware of. Wipers that were worn out enough to fail means they wouldn;t be doing their job. Muffler worn out/leaking would mean a smell leaking into the cabin through the rust holes. ALL isssues you should have dealt with as part of being a car owner.
slimdog,
Apr 14, 8:33am
Get over yourself. Theres plenty of places car can rust that's not visible - chassis, under carpets etc. And she was dealing with it, by taking it to a place to get it fixed. Maybe the muffler was worn but not leaking. Maybe the wipers were doing their job.
kazbanz,
Apr 14, 8:44am
Did you actually read her post! She failed a wof for rust and a leaking muffler -but chose to carry on driving for 5 weeks knowing there was rust and a leaking muffler.--Her statement not mine. the wipers thing dude the blades have to be basicly worn out -definitely not doing more than smearing water around to fail a wof. as for "she was dealing with it" nahh I don't think so. My take on it was-Ohh the testing station was too harsh I'll take it to a garage that is easier on wof's
triangle1,
Apr 14, 10:52pm
since you have 2 different eports so far the best is to take it to a 3rd garage and get a report. Get a quote on the repairs at the same time and then decide from there. We all want to think our vehicle is safe but without going overboard. I remember in south Africa they would fail youfor a ripped car seat but you only had to get it tested when you sold it. No 6 months WOF there.
scuba,
Apr 14, 11:12pm
your talking bollocks man. most car owners depend on so called experts to tell them when their car has problems. Did you expect her to diagnose the spring and ball joint faults as well! as far as the muffler is concerned I've seen new mufflers failed for leakingbecause the so called experts shove a rag up the end of them to look for leaks.How does that relate to actual driving conditions lol.
gmphil,
Apr 15, 7:40am
How bout a local tmmb member ! Anybody with mech knowledge local give this member ten minute say who,s telling porkies!
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