Smokey has failed the MOT on bearing on all wheels cost Ã‚Â£500

Post by **surfkat** » 02 May 2008, 21:16

Hello chaps and chappets.

Our beloved smokey has failed on his bearing, due to excessive movement in the wheel department. ( I'm not a mechnic!).

Now I understand that this can happen, but all 4 wheels at the same time seems a bit on the excessive side.

The garage has quotes (are you all sitting down) just under £500 to replace and fit.

This is broken down into £80 + vat for front parts, and £90 + vat for the back, and then the rst of the balance for labour.

Is this excessive and should all 4 wheels go at the same time?

He has only done a few 1000 miles since the last MOT, and I think the garage is taking the p*ss. The alarm bells started ringing when he asked if I knew were the chasis number was. Does he know about VW vans?

The garage has just been sold to another owner.

Do you think it is worth going somewhere else for an MOT.

Rob

Post by **toomanytoys** » 02 May 2008, 22:15

Mmm... sounds a bit odd..
Fronts can be adjusted and they do actually have to have a tiny amount of play... rears generally have a slight amount of play but quite often if the mech is aware of these vehicles, they will let them slide...

Might just be worth asking about to find a T25 friendly mot garage.. but what effect does this have now MOT's are registered and "in the system" can you actually try and get another!!!!

Post by **asahartz** » 02 May 2008, 22:40

If you ask me the parts price sounds a bit steep too. http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php?o ... 0&Itemid=6 give the price of front bearings as £18 each! Then £250-ish for labour? What the hell is their hourly rate? I've not done T25 bearings, but other cars I've done have been less than a day's work for a home mechanic.

I only ever use MOT-only centres; they have no vested interest in doing work so will not fail a vehicle unnecessarily - in fact one not too far away from me is now advertising no pass, no pay!

Post by **bigherb** » 02 May 2008, 22:41

Think you should get a second opinon. Unless the fronts are rumbling they can be adjusted, as the garage only said excesive play it sounds like they don't know what they are doing or just tucking you up.

Post by **Fritz** » 02 May 2008, 22:56

What ever you do DON'T get your van fixed with this testing station, in all my time (30 yrs) in the motor trade have I ever come across any vehicle in need of all 4 wheel bearings in need of replacement at the same time.

Get a second opinion from another garage, then if as we all suspect appeal to VOSA ,,,,,,,

Even the parts prices are OTT, a pair of fronts should cost no more than 20 quid a side, and rear should be no more than 30 quid a side + fitting.......So a Hundred soves +VAT ,£118 - And they want 500 qiud to do the complete job,,,,,the robbing barstards.......

Their prices have just been made up out of thin air, and if you do use them to repair your vehicle you are in need of a good slap.....

Regards

Fritz,,,,,

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 02 May 2008, 23:19

I've come across test stations who don't understand tolerances though

Ian.

Post by **kit** » 02 May 2008, 23:57

I think Fritz's estimate is a bit more realistic, £500 What the blithering heck?

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 03 May 2008, 07:03

Some arages with testing stations dont like to do dirty old vans they would rather do oil changes and airfilters and a bit of testing. rear bearings means undoing outer CVs (i think) this can suddenly start taking a lot of time if the bolts dont want to come out. Take it as a 'hint' that they dont want to do the work, get a second opinion, maybe from the station that last tested it?

Post by **KarlT** » 03 May 2008, 09:08

Maybe H'bob but in that case why fail all 4 wheels? As Fritz said....'unheard of!'

Post by **surfkat** » 03 May 2008, 10:02

Thanks folks, nice to know i can count on the common sense of the club.

I am about to take it to another garage today, so I get back to you with the feedback from them.

If I do end up changing the bearings, how hard is it?

The father-in-law is very mechanically minded and said he has changed bearing before, but he's not exactly mobile at the moment, so he'll be in "supervisory" capacity!

Thanks for all your help.

Rob

Post by **surfkat** » 03 May 2008, 23:19

hi

just another update.

went to a garage where they VAG mechanics, and you wouldn't believe it they said the wheel bearings are fine.

So they are going to do the MOT again.

I'm going to try and get a refund from the other garage.

just shows you that you need to choose your mot garage carefully!!

thanks for all your help!

rob

Post by **Rozzo** » 04 May 2008, 08:22

well done

RESULT

Post by **toomanytoys** » 04 May 2008, 15:08

I would speak to VOSA about that garage..

Post by **Pepperami** » 04 May 2008, 17:06

I have just had Front discs pads, braided lines and bearings done front and rear (I supplied the parts) for alot less than that, including parts and labour.

Post by **KarlT** » 04 May 2008, 19:54

toomanytoys wrote:I would speak to VOSA about that garage..

Seconded. Bloody disgrace. Someone comes in with a 20 year old van & they try to fleece them. Would be your good turn for the day, who they going to get next time?

Name & bloody shame!