Conference terri::cars_uk

1964.0. "Underhand tactics?" by CHEFS::BRIGGSR (Four Flat Tyres on a Muddy Road) Mon Dec 07 1992 15:11

    
    I thought about appending this to the MOT note but feel the
    implications go wider. I booked my 1982 VOLVO 244 into a garage for
    some work to be done. One item was a quick tune up. When I got it back
    it ran like a dog. On complaining I met an attitude that seemed to go
    like this...
    
    "Well we've set it up to meet the legal requirements. That fact that it
    doesn't run right means the carburettor needs an overhaul. This could
    cost you �300-00."
    
    When I got REALLY mad they agreed to set it up as it had been when I
    left it. They did this very reluctantly. It runs fine now (I measured
    29 mpg yesterday which is good for a Volvo) but, once again, I've no
    idea whether it would pass an MOT.
    
    This raises a question. The garage appeared to have two options:
    
    1) Tune the car to pass an MOT but return it to me in an almost
    undriveable, even dangerous, state.
    
    2) Allow a car out of their doors that wouldn't pass an MOT (on CO
    content) but at least ran well and provide a warning to me that it a)
    wouldn't pass an MOT and b) an estimate of what's required to fix it.
    
    They appeared to favour the first.
    
    The question this raises is by doing 2 above would a garage be breaking
    the law. Are THEY putting their necks on the block legally? Personally
    I feel they were putting themselves more at risk doing what they did.
    The car was unsafe to drive when they returned it. Stalled at
    crossroads, no overtaking power etc etc. Their tactics seem to be
    almost *coercing* me into a situation where I had no option but to give
    them a blank cheque book to overhaul the carburettor.
    
    Anyone any similar experiences or comments? By the way, this was a
    supposed 'reputable' Volvo dealer located in Reading!
    
    Richard
    
    
    
    

    
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought a car that is correctly tuned,
    i.e. tuned to factory specifications, should pass an MOT full stop.
    
    If so, this means either the garage got it wrong or the Exhaust
    Emissions bit of the MOT is unrealistic.
    
    Dave.
    

	The CO2 emmission stuff is fine in an MOT, the Marlin is pretty
	tuned and it passed (although kit cars are exempt, the garage tested
	mine, and as it passed, I didn't feel like arguing).

	I once had a Fiat with worn out carbs and it couldn't be tuned
	such that the CO2 was correct, so maybe they're right.
	On the other hand, maybe they're a bunch of crooks, although MOT
	stations are pretty well regulated.

	Dave

    
    I guess it must be possible to tune a car such that it runs 'OK' and
    gives 'OK' consumption etc. But it may be beyond the MOT limits. The
    other side of such an argument would be that once tuned to within MOT
    specs the engine wouldn't perform well. This seems to me a reasonable
    theory if the carb is worn. What bugged me was the stance the garage
    were taking.
    
    Richard
    
    PS, anyone know a good carb specialist in the Reading area?

After a bad experience several years ago I have always taken my car to an
appropriately franchised service outlet for its MOT.  That way the people
who deal with it know about the quirks of the car.

jb