Car failed NCT after garage did NCT service

Kangaroopoo · 13-08-2008 07:40PM #1

Hi

I left my car into be serviced two weeks ago and paid for an extra NCT service, in the end it needed a few things brake pads etc and the whole bill came to 1200 euros. I had my NCT this morning and it failed because of the parking brake (unbalance 85%) I have no idea what that means but the NCT guy said the garage should have noticed or fixed when they were doing all the work.

When I rang the garage today the service guy said they have no way of telling for sure if it will pass as they don't have the same gear the NCT garages have for testing, no garages do so they can only guess everything is correct. Whats the point in charging for a NCT service if I failed on something that i think they should have picked up on, is the service guy spinning me a yarn. i now have to take more time off work tomorrow to leave it back to him, reapply for the NCT and take another half day off work to re-test. Do you think I can kick up in garage and try get money back or something.

Darragh29 · 13-08-2008 07:49PM

Kangaroopoo wrote: »

Hi

I left my car into be serviced two weeks ago and paid for an extra NCT service, in the end it needed a few things brake pads etc and the whole bill came to 1200 euros. I had my NCT this morning and it failed because of the parking brake (unbalance 85%) I have no idea what that means but the NCT guy said the garage should have noticed or fixed when they were doing all the work.

When I rang the garage today the service guy said they have no way of telling for sure if it will pass as they don't have the same gear the NCT garages have for testing, no garages do so they can only guess everything is correct. Whats the point in charging for a NCT service if I failed on something that i think they should have picked up on, is the service guy spinning me a yarn. i now have to take more time off work tomorrow to leave it back to him, reapply for the NCT and take another half day off work to re-test. Do you think I can kick up in garage and try get money back or something.

Hahahahaha!!! Holy fu*k, 1200 Euro, what did they do to justify that invoice!?!?!?!?!?! Also, what is the difference between a "vehicle service" and an "extra NCT service"????? Did the garage have an NCT test lane??? If not, they cannot sucessfully provide you with an NCT pre-inspection. Same goes for emissions, headlamps, wheel alignment and suspension.

You haven't posted your vehicle info above so I can't be more specific, but you either need:

Rear brake pads replaced (possibly also brake discs)

OR

Rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders replaced (and possibly also drums)

OR

Possibly also handbrake cables, or just handbrake cables if the service brake is operating well within the 30% imbalance limit.

Mr.Diagnostic · 13-08-2008 08:00PM

Darragh29 wrote: »

Hahahahaha!!! Holy fu*k, 1200 Euro, what did they do to justify that invoice!?!?!?!?!?!

What is so unusual (or funny) about a service with an extra few jobs on top costing €1200?

OP, They did brake work so they should have at least checked the rear brakes/handbrake shoes and adjusted them.

Big_Mac · 13-08-2008 08:08PM

Tut tut tut, shame on you OP. Never, and I mean NEVER get a pre nct service thingy done on your wheels before a test. Its the biggest scam and waste of money I have ever heard of.

Best thing anyone can do, is get the car through the test. They will tell you excatly what is wrong with it, and what needs fixin. Then you can go to a garage and get these specific issues fixed only (or do them myself in my case)

There's too much of 'Oh this needs to be done, and when I was doing it i noticed that needed to be done' nonsense going around with these places. Before you know it, you'll have a big whopper of a bill for possibly something that didn't need doin in the first place.

If the car passes the test, whopee, if not then it'll be the cheapest diagnostic that you can get as to what your car needs doin to it before the test.

Just my personal opinion though.

walshy123 · 13-08-2008 08:11PM

Mr.Diagnostic wrote: »

What is so unusual (or funny) about a service with an extra few jobs on top costing €1200?

OP, They did brake work so they should have at least checked the rear brakes/handbrake shoes and adjusted them.

i would imagine his post was due to it costing about €1,000 more than what a striaght forward service should cost (depending on car obviously!)

Mr.Diagnostic · 13-08-2008 08:11PM

Big_Mac wrote: »

Tut tut tut, shame on you OP. Never, and I mean NEVER get a pre nct service thingy done on your wheels before a test. Its the biggest scam and waste of money I have ever heard of.

Best thing anyone can do, is get the car through the test. They will tell you excatly what is wrong with it, and what needs fixin. Then you can go to a garage and get these specific issues fixed only (or do them myself in my case)

There's too much of 'Oh this needs to be done, and when I was doing it i noticed that needed to be done' nonsense going around with these places. Before you know it, you'll have a big whopper of a bill for possibly something that didn't need doin in the first place.

If the car passes the test, whopee, if not then it'll be the cheapest diagnostic that you can get as to what your car needs doin to it before the test.

Just my personal opinion though.

The only problem with that is the amount of things that the NCT test does not cover, or that they dont notice.

Bobo78 · 13-08-2008 08:12PM

Big_Mac wrote: »

Tut tut tut, shame on you OP. Never, and I mean NEVER get a pre nct service thingy done on your wheels before a test. Its the biggest scam and waste of money I have ever heard of.

Best thing anyone can do, is get the car through the test. They will tell you excatly what is wrong with it, and what needs fixin. Then you can go to a garage and get these specific issues fixed only (or do them myself in my case)

There's too much of 'Oh this needs to be done, and when I was doing it i noticed that needed to be done' nonsense going around with these places. Before you know it, you'll have a big whopper of a bill for possibly something that didn't need doin in the first place.

If the car passes the test, whopee, if not then it'll be the cheapest diagnostic that you can get as to what your car needs doin to it before the test.

Just my personal opinion though.

+1

Totally agree with you, the pre-nct tests are really unnecessary.

peasant · 13-08-2008 08:14PM

OP, in your case, seenashow the garage did work on the brakes, I'd simply leave them in the car and tell them to return it to you with brand new NCT cert free of charge.

That was sloppy work and they should be ashamed of themselves.

Big_Mac · 13-08-2008 08:14PM

Mr.Diagnostic wrote: »

The only problem with that is the amount of things that the NCT test does not cover, or that they dont notice.

IF they don't notice it, they shouldn't be working there. After all, they are certifying that the car is safe to be on the road. If they don't cover it or notice it, and its not down to staff laziness that its not noticed, then it shouldn't need to be fixed

Rowley Birkin QC · 13-08-2008 08:17PM

Threads like this make me appreciate my Haynes manual and local motor factors more and more.

Big_Mac · 13-08-2008 08:23PM

Kangaroopoo wrote: »

Its a PT cruiser and I left it into a chrysler dealer, the first service plus NCT was 700 plus and then I had to leave it back for brake pads, suspension something or other (sorry I don't have the invoice to hand but will post details tomorrow) I had the feeling I was being ripped off I woudl say becuase I'm a girl but then again my husband was with me!!!

I just wanted to know if I can kick up tomorrow after all that money it should have passed right?

Hmmm, grey area methinks. Did they do the work with the assurance that it would pass the test? If not, I'd say its a bit tough. Kicking up won't get you anywhere. People are less likely to help someone who is shouting or being obnoxious to them. Try the calm approach and ask them nicely. You might be surprised................

Then again, maybe not.:(

Mr.Diagnostic · 13-08-2008 08:24PM

Big_Mac wrote: »

IF they don't notice it, they shouldn't be working there. After all, they are certifying that the car is safe to be on the road. If they don't cover it or notice it, and its not down to staff laziness that its not noticed, then it shouldn't need to be fixed

They make plenty of mistakes, I agree with you that they shouldn’t but they do at times. Besides that the test is quite limited. For example, a car with rear brake drums can have a weeping wheel cyl and still pass the brake test. That’s not safe.

Damien360 · 13-08-2008 08:25PM

Folks you are not being fair to the OP at all. Yes she messed up by getting a pre-NCT service but everyone seems to forget his question. Is it worth fighting with the garage for the failure.

Yes. The garage will get out some things by claiming it happened on your way there and it is out of their control, so tough. But, the parking brake should have been at least tightened. Argue and keep arguing for them to at least bring the car there themselves or at least some discount.

iMax · 13-08-2008 08:28PM

I'd be screaming blue murder. The very least they should do is refund about €500 for a start !

Be looking for them to fix the fault & have the NCT doneon your behalf & have the car valeted (sp?) as well.

You were ripped off totally. I've personally never paid more than €350 for a full service (& I drove a taxi for three years, so the car was done every four months), average price was about €275 over the year, that's the works. My mechanic even told me to get the NCT done before bringing it in to him...

I can give you his number if you want.

colm_mcm · 13-08-2008 08:30PM

they should pay for the retest and adjust the handbrake.

iMax · 13-08-2008 08:31PM

They charged you €138 for oil & a bulb ???

atlantean · 13-08-2008 08:38PM

Kangaroopoo wrote: »

I left my car into be serviced two weeks ago and paid for an extra NCT service, in the end it needed a few things brake pads etc and the whole bill came to 1200 euros.

If they did anything to the rear brakes then I would be of the opinion that they should have left them in a satisfactory condition for them to pass an NCT.

Big_Mac · 13-08-2008 08:49PM

iMax wrote: »

I'd be screaming blue murder. The very least they should do is refund about €500 for a start !

Be looking for them to fix the fault & have the NCT doneon your behalf & have the car valeted (sp?) as well.

You were ripped off totally. I've personally never paid more than €350 for a full service (& I drove a taxi for three years, so the car was done every four months), average price was about €275 over the year, that's the works. My mechanic even told me to get the NCT done before bringing it in to him...

I can give you his number if you want.

I agree, OP was ripped off here, but going into a garage screaming blue murder demanding that this or that is done for you is going to get you absolutely nowhere. Wind them up and they will tell you to piss off.

If I was the garage I'd be more willing to discuss something with someone who did so in a calm and controlled manner than someone shouting odds and making demands at me.

faceman · 13-08-2008 09:00PM

Whats with the elistist know-it-alls having with a go at the OP on this thread?

OP, the garage are bang out of the order. For a start they sold you something that they couldnt by their own admission, sell. i.e. a proper pre NCT test.

Here is my 2c. Call them up, ask to speak to the manager and explain that you are very unhappy. Ask him why they are advertising and selling pre NCT tests as an extra service while they are unable to meet the same standard. Tell him that you expect them to take the car back in and fix whatever needs to be fixed, and pay for your NCT re-test. Thats not being unreasonable.

If you are getting nowhere, follow up with a letter and contact Consumer Affairs.

Davy · 13-08-2008 09:01PM

Some garages now have this NCT service, most of which aren't that great. I have seen one lately where they do the pre-test and if you fail they pay for the re-test. If this takes off then every garage should have the same.

atlantean · 13-08-2008 10:21PM

Kangaroopoo wrote: »

I feel they should pay for the NCT pre-test at least.

Was it their idea to do the NCT pre-test? Bit of a scam if you ask me!

Darragh29 · 13-08-2008 10:55PM

Mr.Diagnostic wrote: »

They make plenty of mistakes, I agree with you that they shouldn’t but they do at times. Besides that the test is quite limited. For example, a car with rear brake drums can have a weeping wheel cyl and still pass the brake test. That’s not safe.

Bull****, either you have the equipment or you don't. If you don't, you shouldn't be doing pre-NCTS. If you do, no amount of stupidity is going to let a brake imbalance of over 70% get through your test procedures.

Mr.Diagnostic · 13-08-2008 11:10PM

Darragh29 wrote: »

Bull****, either you have the equipment or you don't. If you don't, you shouldn't be doing pre-NCTS. If you do, no amount of stupidity is going to let a brake imbalance of over 70% get through your test procedures.

Not bull**** darragh, read what I said again.
I was talking about the actual nct test, not the pre-nct test.

E92 · 13-08-2008 11:26PM

faceman wrote: »

Whats with the elistist know-it-alls having with a go at the OP on this thread?

OP, the garage are bang out of the order. For a start they sold you something that they couldnt by their own admission, sell. i.e. a proper pre NCT test.

Here is my 2c. Call them up, ask to speak to the manager and explain that you are very unhappy. Ask him why they are advertising and selling pre NCT tests as an extra service while they are unable to meet the same standard. Tell him that you expect them to take the car back in and fix whatever needs to be fixed, and pay for your NCT re-test. Thats not being unreasonable.

If you are getting nowhere, follow up with a letter and contact Consumer Affairs.

+1. The OP shouldn't have to put up with this. If the OP is female then OP should bring a man who knows something about the goings on under the bonnet to the dealer as well(and is the type of person who will be a pain in the ar$e for the dealer if they don't offer what a reasonable person would consider to be satisfactory service), and get him to do the talking. You also need to make sure that you know exactly what you want to say tomorrow too, because they're probably the type of garage that will catch you out on any "slip ups" you might make when you speak to them.

I don't advocate the yell and roar approach, always best to be polite and stay calm but nevertheless remain firm and insistent that you want results and that you're not tolerating the kind of crap you got from them in the pre NCT "test"(I'd also want to know how the car managed to need €1,200 worth of repairs all of a sudden, I wonder did someone do a bit of creative accounting went on not to mention mechanics finding creative faults that weren't there at all?)

I think a lot of people are being unduly harsh on the OP for not knowing that these pre NCT tests are scams.

If you're going to a dealer and you're not into cars then you quite reasonably expect that they do what they were asked to do, and suppose you have a feeling that there's something amiss, then how are you supposed to know if you're not into cars?

snowman707 · 13-08-2008 11:27PM

bigkev49 wrote: »

Threads like this make me appreciate my Haynes manual and local motor factors more and more.

threads like this make me appreciate my local country mechanic evemore.

recent service on nissan primera diesel

Change engine oil
Change oil, fuel, & air filters,
renew front brake pads,
1 main headlight bulb
1 taillight bulb
check battery acid, brake fluid, & coolant levels,
screen wash
grease door hinges, lubricate all locks ,
check all steering joints & brake hose etc.
test emissions & road check vehicle

Total cost €240

car was collected from my home at 7.30 am & returned a little after 10.30am

Steve · 14-08-2008 12:18AM

My approach to this would be to look at how this 'NCT service' was advertised. If you were in any way misled into thinking that the service would leave your car in a state that it would pass the NCT then I feel that it would be covered under SOG act.

In saying that, I would try to talk to the manager calmly and rationally and give him the opportunity to put things right. Also point out that you are out of pocket because of the fact you have to take time off work and pay for a full retest and a partial refund of the extortionate amount he charged you may serve to somewhat abate the emotional stress caused by the whole ordeal.

If he is accommodating then fair enough, if not then consider whether his product was actually 'as advertised' and 'fit for purpose' (the purpose being you passing the NCT) and that you might well consider the small claims court or the director of consumer affairs as your next port of call.
No reputable dealer will want their name dragged through the mud.

Big_Mac · 14-08-2008 12:30AM

E92 wrote: »

I think a lot of people are being unduly harsh on the OP for not knowing that these pre NCT tests are scams.

Ok, I think you need to reread the previous posts here. All anyone has done is give their opinions on the fact that we think that pre NCT tests are scams. No one has slagged off the OP for doin so, or called the OP some sort of Thicko or Dunce because of it. Just because we have a difference of opionion doesn't mean we're being 'harsh'. I think people have been honest about their opinons here without drawing conclusions about the OP, so if anything, I think you are being unduly harsh to everyone else who has posted to help the OP by making your unfair assumptions about us.

Steve · 14-08-2008 12:37AM

Big_Mac wrote: »

No one has slagged off the OP for doin so, or called the OP some sort of Thicko or Dunce because of it.

Big_Mac wrote: »

Tut tut tut, shame on you OP. Never, and I mean NEVER get a pre nct service thingy done on your wheels before a test. Its the biggest scam and waste of money I have ever heard of........

Big_Mac · 14-08-2008 12:43AM

Big_Mac wrote: »

Tut tut tut, shame on you OP. Never, and I mean NEVER get a pre nct service thingy done on your wheels before a test. Its the biggest scam and waste of money I have ever heard of.

Best thing anyone can do, is get the car through the test. They will tell you excatly what is wrong with it, and what needs fixin. Then you can go to a garage and get these specific issues fixed only (or do them myself in my case)

There's too much of 'Oh this needs to be done, and when I was doing it i noticed that needed to be done' nonsense going around with these places. Before you know it, you'll have a big whopper of a bill for possibly something that didn't need doin in the first place.

If the car passes the test, whopee, if not then it'll be the cheapest diagnostic that you can get as to what your car needs doin to it before the test.

Just my personal opinion though.

If you're going to quote my posts to prove a point, then quote the full thing.
I said tut tut tut, shame on you. Please explain where I was unduly harsh here or where I was I was derogotary in some way to the OP, because I'm at a loss to your point

Steve · 14-08-2008 01:10AM

Had you said 'tut tut tut, shame on you' to an experienced mechanic then it could be passed off as light-hearted.
The OP declared that she hadn't a clue what the fail meant and so your comment was IMHO a tad condescending toward her and therefore you contradicted yourself.

Darragh29 · 14-08-2008 01:18AM

The problem with the NCT system is that certain parts of the test are completely objective, transparent and fair. For example, HC CO and Lambda engine emissions, front & rear axle brake imbalance, front & rear axle suspension imbalance, headlamp alignment. All the above are tested by equipment and the equipment makes the decision regarding what is a pass or a fail condition. Some people here will try to argue the finer point with me and say that the above tests can be conducted in a manner in which a car that should pass will actually fail and vice versa and I accept that this can happen, although in the vast majority of cases, in relation to the above parts of the test, the procedures are virtually fair and objective. In relation to what is set out above, if you have the necessary equipment and staff properly trained, you should never have a problem with cars being prepared for the NCT.

However the majority of the test, outside of what is mentioned above, is completely subjective and entirely dependent on the tester that you get on the day. Item's like anti-roll bar bushing wear, wishbone bushing wear, body condition/rust, oil leaks, tyre condition, brake hose condition, indicator bulb colour, windscreen condition, brake pipe corrision, I could go on and on and on, but the majority of items on the test are down to an opinion of the tester...

In my garage we guarantee the NCT, on most occasions, we actually bring the car up to the NCT centre for the customer and we guarantee to return it with a new NCT disc. We know when our regular customers are due for their NCT and we schedule them in for a service the previous day or the day as soon as possible before the test. For non regular/new customers, we will get them a test date if they wish or leave it to them if they want or if they have a test date, we book them in no more than 2-3 days before the actual test date.

People say we cannot guarantee the NCT but we do and we have had no problem doing so. We've been caught out on the odd occasion but the overall experience has been very positive for us. We are lucky that we have an NCT test lane and have built up our own inspection procedures, (sometimes from learning along the way from the mistakes that we made).

Just before someone asks, because folks have asked in the past, I don't give out the name of my business on boards, as I made a decision some time back to keep my business separate from my participation on this forum, which is made in a personal capacity.

Car failed NCT after garage did NCT service

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