I guess It had to happen 😠

[Straightsix]

My modern, a 2005 BMW 330d Touring went to an independent bmw specialist for its service and Mot last week. This car has been well cared for by myself and its former owners to the extent it has never failed a mot or had an advisory.

I explained I would be grateful if this record could be maintained, and was duly noted.

Unfortunately a failure resulted with handbrake being inefficient. This was rectified and subsequently retested with a pass.

They explained as the company do not undertake the mot themselves, by law any issues must be recorded.

I can except that but its still bugging me!! It’s only a bloody car, can anyone recommend a good psychiatrist for me Grrrr😡 

 

[johny]

Funny how that wasnt mentioned when you were discussing your wishes beforehand! Voting with your feet might make you feel better👍 

[Wagger]

I had a 2001 330D Touring. (Wish I still had it). Handbrake was always 'Iffy'. I always tweaked it before submitting for MOT. It was possible through adjuster holes in the wheels, but I usually removed the combined disc/drums. Quite a faff when you are 70+.

I now use a mechanic who checks all before submitting for MOT. No advisories are recorded as he works for the test station.

[Straightsix]

Although I felt the handbrake functioned okay I must admit I hardly ever used it -  lesson learnt, was always left it in ‘Park’ position.

And……..breathe.

 

[Colin Lindsay]

So: you asked an official dealership / service specialist to prepare the car for MOT and 'make sure it doesn't fail'.... then it failed? You can't really argue that they weren't prepared for that eventuality, as they should have been, handbrake being part of the test. It passes, or it doesn't. Bulbs can blow, tyres suffer damage, on the way to the test but the handbrake usually survives. Did they test or inspect it, or just reckon 'it'll be ok as they usually are'? Not a great recommendation for them in any case, but a complaint may uncover some deficiency or other given the special status of the car. 

That's a sad result but happens to us all eventually. In alternative cases I've seen cars that were 'never welded nor touched' from new that should have been, long ago. My own local garage was too busy to check mine for MOT earlier in the month, all he could do was tell me to take it and he'd repair anything it failed on. We don't get advisories, just fails. Thankfully, it didn't.

[johny]

of course its all about statistics these days as well. Each testing station has to have the 'average' number of fails and advisories to not look suspicious. Then the cost of setting yourself up in the business now is a big stick to make sure you dont upset DVLA😲