DO NOT USE! Stay well away! In my opinion…read more
Did the exact opposite of what I asked them to do, were unable to fix the mistakes they made and put me at risk of a fine and penalty points on my license.
I booked my car in for a pre-MOT one month prior to my current MOT's expiration date.
This was done so I would know of any problems well in advance and have a month to fix them - plus it also looks better on the cars history, in my opinion.
It was clearly explained multiple times when I first called, and again when I dropped off the vehicle, that it must NOT be put in for MOT if there were any advisories/issues. This was the main and only stipulation.
I received a call after the pre-MOT had apparently been carried out stating there were a few issues, such as the "fog light isn't red" and an oil leak.
After explaining how to operate a fog light switch, which coincidentally is situated in the factory position on the dashboard (strange that), it dawned on me they were probably looking at my reverse light (At this point I reiterated again that the car was NOT to be put through the MOT if there were any issues, and have witnesses as proof).
This conversation was extremely disconcerting, as one would have thought a professional garage would know how to operate something as simple as a light switch, and in over a decade of owning the same model car I can honestly say I have never had this issue anywhere else before.
Hours passed, I checked the DVLA website and, to my utter horror, it had failed with multiple "major defects", one being the fog light placement and the front headlights, none of which were picked up on the pre-MOT. I can't understand how a light socket put in by the manufacturer over 20 years ago suddenly decided to up & move itself to another position on the car! Also, none of the "issues" they had found on the pre-MOT came up on the MOT, bar one numberplate bulb! So what had they done in the pre-MOT test!?
Despite the absolute absurdity (at least to me) of some of the failures, and the fact they had clearly done the complete opposite of what I asked them to do in the first place, I was now left in an extremely bad situation. I use my car to commute to work every day and with a failed MOT I'm now unable to drive it. If I cant get to work I can't earn money. If I can't earn money I can't repair the car. If I cant repair the car there's a possibility of losing my job!!
When I mentioned this to the gentleman he said I could drive the car. I then questioned the legality and was told "it's a grey area" and, "if I was stopped and didn't have the car booked in for repair I could be liable" - for a fine and penalty points.
Obviously not wanting this to happen I then asked what needed to be done to get the car up to "standard" and was told, "we dont know how to repair it" and, "we can't repair it", so I am now left with an undrivable vehicle and am unable to get to work without, so far as I'm aware, risking prosecution.
After a long discussion they admitted they were at fault and said they would waive the cost, but could not reverse or fix what they had done.
I am extremely unhappy and dissatisfied with the level of professionalism and service I received, and will be taking this up with the relevant authorities.
I can't stress enough, DO NOT USE THIS GARAGE!!! In my opinion.