Pretty awful MOT....

[Zomerset]

I knew it was getting to that point and its been neglected for 12 months due to life circumstances. The quote is plainly outrageous, at least on some items. But I'm now teetering on the edge of deciding to sell up and forget it. I guess I might get a couple of grand for it on a good day, with the work outstanding? Personal plate is probably worth a couple of grand too I hope. I can get the car home by paying to replace one tyre (has a few days left on MOT and that is the only "do not drive" fault.

• Technical assessment shows the headlamp aim is too low (MOT FAILURE) - Both Front head lamp aims are incorrect and cannot be adjusted correctly. The offside front leveling device appears inoperable and needs investigation. We will contact you regarding any further required repairs if required £120.00
• Replace both front tyres (offside front MOT FAILURE) - The offside front tyre failed the MOT and the nearside front tyre is very close to failure and should be replaced at the same time. £268.80 we have quoted mid range Maxxis tyres
• Replace both front suspension rear bushes (MOT FAILURE) - once the suspension bushes are replaced, the vehicle will require four wheel alignment. Due to the vehicle's age, the adjuster bolts might be seized. If this occurs, we will advise you and quote any additional repairs required to complete the work. £538.58
• Replace nearside front anti roll bar link (MOT FAILURE) - £214.85
• Replace the fog lamp switch (MOT FAILURE) - this would have to be ordered in directly from BMW £95.66
• Replace nearside rear stop lamp bulb (MOT FAILURE) - £46.80
• Untwist nearside rear brake hose - £96.00
• Replace rear differential bush - This part would have to be ordered directly from BMW £422.75

 

[bombur]

Where are you based as there may be people on here who can help you with a lot of it

 

[Zomerset]

Somerset. My son may be able to assist with some, though he already works long hours and HGV is his thing rather than old cars!

 

[bombur]

Im sure people who are far more knowledgeable than me will be on here to support with their insights on the MOT details although to me a lot of that can be sorted at a much lower cost. What's the value of the car to you is what matters

 

[Nodzed]

That's ridiculous prices even with labour.

Part prices:
Diff bush £90 Not a BMW only part
Front rear wishbone bush (Lollipop) (including holder) £27 per side
ARB front link £24.99 per side
levelling unit and fog light switch give @spurs fan in a coupe a shout he will probably have both

Not aware that 4 wheel alignment can be done on a Z3

Give @colb a PM when he's back off his hols he may be able to help you fitting these. He's based in Cardiff I believe.

 

[Delk]

46 pounds to change a light bulb!

 

[Stevo7682]

Have to agree some of quoted prices way high .
Front only alignment on z3.

Find someone else to do the work your mot station is turning you over.
Stephen.

 

[Peter1450]

Garage called Turpin’s by any chance! Some of those prices are unbelievable!

 

[AntStark]

Be cheaper to get it trailered home and get Kwik fit/halfords mobile to come out and replace the front tyres. Rest of the prices are equally stupid

Fog light switch failure ! Unlikely

 

[Trevor /chedder]

It's all doable, will just take time and lots of you tube and pelican parts videos. I think of it as half the hobby. Start off with the bushes, should be straight forward, you just need a socket set and a breaker bar. And time

 

[Trevor /chedder]

And get auto doc or eBay for parts way cheaper. And I bet someone has that switch used

 

[Delk]

Lee had diff bushings for sale on his garage clear out at 25 pounds.

 

[Zomerset]

Thank you for the observations folks. I am not really mechanically minded, but I have a son who is. I will go through the list with him and see what he reckons he can do. I am going to pay for the single tyre required to get it home and rescue it from the overcharging garage. Your comments have been helpful in terms of the charges. It seems its not just the charge for the bulb which is absurd. I might mention it when I pick it up... Shame, its the only place in walking distance for me!

 

[Lee]

I would go one further and just get your Zed delivered to me and I'll sort it all. Most of those items are very cheap to replace.

This kit with a diff bush I'm selling sorts you mechanically.
FOR BMW Z3 E36 MEYLE HD FRONT WISHBONE ARMS BUSHES LINKS STEERING TRACK ROD ENDS | eBay UK

 

[Gatsoburner]

We're all saying the same thing here.

Garage is taking the xxxx, evidently from a bulb price of 3 quid fit it yourself to near 50 !

After a quote like that there is zero chance I'd believe any failures you can't see yourself.

Personally I'd get in touch with someone else, mobile mechanic type, if its all blx DVSA and report the garage.

Did it once, Vaux Corsa told it needed new steering rack. Questionable so spoke to colleague who spoke to DVSA tester, found to be utter rubbish and DVSA drove thr car to the garage and told him to pass it, handed a warning notification to the tester and owner.

 

[Andyboy]

I knew it was getting to that point and its been neglected for 12 months due to life circumstances. The quote is plainly outrageous, at least on some items. But I'm now teetering on the edge of deciding to sell up and forget it. I guess I might get a couple of grand for it on a good day, with the work outstanding? Personal plate is probably worth a couple of grand too I hope. I can get the car home by paying to replace one tyre (has a few days left on MOT and that is the only "do not drive" fault.

• Technical assessment shows the headlamp aim is too low (MOT FAILURE) - Both Front head lamp aims are incorrect and cannot be adjusted correctly. The offside front leveling device appears inoperable and needs investigation. We will contact you regarding any further required repairs if required £120.00
• Replace both front tyres (offside front MOT FAILURE) - The offside front tyre failed the MOT and the nearside front tyre is very close to failure and should be replaced at the same time. £268.80 we have quoted mid range Maxxis tyres
• Replace both front suspension rear bushes (MOT FAILURE) - once the suspension bushes are replaced, the vehicle will require four wheel alignment. Due to the vehicle's age, the adjuster bolts might be seized. If this occurs, we will advise you and quote any additional repairs required to complete the work. £538.58
• Replace nearside front anti roll bar link (MOT FAILURE) - £214.85
• Replace the fog lamp switch (MOT FAILURE) - this would have to be ordered in directly from BMW £95.66
• Replace nearside rear stop lamp bulb (MOT FAILURE) - £46.80
• Untwist nearside rear brake hose - £96.00
• Replace rear differential bush - This part would have to be ordered directly from BMW £422.75

They're taking the p***.

Two secondhand headlights (orange indicator) with good adjusters, £100. About 45 minutes to fit them, an hour tops.

The rear lollipop bushes are about 1 hour 30 for both and dunno, 50 quid in parts? It will not need four wheel alignment.

A front anti roll bar link is a tenner on eBay, and 30 minutes to fit.

A brake light bulb is a couple of quid and five minutes.

The brake hose - a new one is 20 quid and perhaps an hour, two if you have to replace a short section of metal pipe as well.

The diff bush is 15 quid and a couple of hours as you have to remove the alloy diff rear cover.

Foglight switch - some have the button that clicks in, some don't. A secondhand switch is 25 quid.


They either don't want the work or want to nick the car off you.

 

[Nodzed]

I would go one further and just get your Zed delivered to me and I'll sort it all. Most of those items are very cheap to replace.

@Zomerset thats the place to take it!

 

[the Nefyn cat]

@Zomerset thats the place to take it!

And with the money saved you could buy an awful lot of teabags. Just a thought.

But definitely get your car away from that bunch of asterikses.

 

[Pond]

• Replace nearside rear stop lamp bulb (MOT FAILURE) - £46.80
• Untwist nearside rear brake hose - £96.00

I definitely chose the wrong profession.

 

[Zomerset]

I definitely chose the wrong profession.

I collected the car today. I told them why I would not be returning and was told they can "only quote the manufacturer's "book value" for the job. Not entirely sure what that is, especially if they are not a main dealer. I gently suggested that they could use their own skill and knowledge to quote a fair price based on the cost of parts and the time required and left it at that.