MOT Failure - rear brakes/hand brake
Discussion
That isn't fair. If the car had failed its MOT immediately after a service I would agree that is a poor show, but the last service was six months ago? A lot can happen in six months. For one thing, the car is just about due for its next service. You can't blame the garage just because things on your car go wrong/wear out and need attention from time to time. Get it serviced, get it MOTd, get out and enjoy it.
mr clifford said:
I think Hoover`s comments are fair. If I`d spent a fair bit of dosh on my brakes only 4/5 months ago I would expect them to get through an MOT today !
You think brakes never go wrong or wear out? I wouldn't expect the pads or discs to wear out through normal use in that time, but there are various faults that could easily have affected braking efficiency or caused accelerated wear. It's naive to think that just because the brakes were OK 4/5 months ago that they must be OK today.
Ony one way to avoid this problem - do them yourself!
It's not that hard, it's a lot cheaper and then you know exactly what has and hasn't been done. I changed my rear shoes, both wheel cylinders and a brake pipe in April last year - the car sits outside for weeks without use and the brakes don't seize. I've done probably about 5,000 miles in that time.
I wrote a "how to" at www.tvrgit.com/brakepage.html
I would suggest that if yours were done in January, and you have been using it fairly regularly, then there is no way they should be seizing already unless corners have been cut (for example pivots not greased etc)
>> Edited by tvrgit on Sunday 12th June 10:42
It's not that hard, it's a lot cheaper and then you know exactly what has and hasn't been done. I changed my rear shoes, both wheel cylinders and a brake pipe in April last year - the car sits outside for weeks without use and the brakes don't seize. I've done probably about 5,000 miles in that time.
I wrote a "how to" at www.tvrgit.com/brakepage.html
I would suggest that if yours were done in January, and you have been using it fairly regularly, then there is no way they should be seizing already unless corners have been cut (for example pivots not greased etc)
>> Edited by tvrgit on Sunday 12th June 10:42
Rockey said:
Just my thought on the issue, but I would have thought that the fact of little use would be a contributing factor to the brakes seizing up.
Yes you're right, if the car sits about it doesn't help, but
tvrgit said:
I changed my rear shoes, both wheel cylinders and a brake pipe in April last year - the car sits outside for weeks at a time without use and the brakes don't seize. I've done probably about 5,000 miles in that time.
and
[quote]if you have been using it fairly regularly, then there is no way they should be seizing already unless corners have been cut (for example pivots not greased etc)[/quote]
My experiences with garages are not good - fortunately I don't use them (at all) for the TVR except for MOT certificate time (oh and tyres - I'm too old for levering tyres on and off now!)... and the dealership I use for the SAAB are, in fairness, pretty good although I'm glad I'm not paying the bills myself...
If I had reason to believe that I had been charged for work that had not been done, or parts that had not been fitted, then I would be quite upset about it and I would take the issue up with the garage concerned. I'd expect the garage to take this sort of complaint very seriously, and either explain it to my satisfaction, or give me adequate compensation. Everyone makes mistakes, and I think how they handle them is a measure of their professionalism and integrity. Of course, if I had been mouthing off at them on a public forum before giving them a chance to do anything about it, I would probably have prejudiced them against helping me. If they didn't handle it to my satisfaction then I would consider taking my business elsewhere in future.
In this case nothing that has been said so far indicates that the work was done improperly, although that seems to be implied by the tone of the post. Maybe the brakes weren't serviced as they were supposed to be. But it is equally possible that the handbrake cable or mechanism has seized or worn, in the six months since the work was done. It's a fiddly little mechanism in a fairly hostile environment, and they do go wrong.
I would expect a full service by a good TVR specialist to pick up potential MOT failures so it should pass an MOT immediately afterwards. But six months later? With the best will in the world cars will always go wrong from time to time, who ever looks after them.
>> Edited by GreenV8S on Sunday 12th June 13:22
In this case nothing that has been said so far indicates that the work was done improperly, although that seems to be implied by the tone of the post. Maybe the brakes weren't serviced as they were supposed to be. But it is equally possible that the handbrake cable or mechanism has seized or worn, in the six months since the work was done. It's a fiddly little mechanism in a fairly hostile environment, and they do go wrong.
I would expect a full service by a good TVR specialist to pick up potential MOT failures so it should pass an MOT immediately afterwards. But six months later? With the best will in the world cars will always go wrong from time to time, who ever looks after them.
>> Edited by GreenV8S on Sunday 12th June 13:22
In Steve's defence, he would be the first to admit that he is not a person who likes to get his hands dirty and his mechanical knowledge it not vast.
This is why he has paid out fortunes on the S2 for experts to keep it up to scratch and even improve it and no expense has been spared.
This forum is not the place for having a go but I do sort of understand his frustration in having spent so much money and then selling it with a fresh MOT only to find yet more expense, on work that he only had carried out in the last six months.
Just keep on taking the pills steve, you will get over it.
This is why he has paid out fortunes on the S2 for experts to keep it up to scratch and even improve it and no expense has been spared.
This forum is not the place for having a go but I do sort of understand his frustration in having spent so much money and then selling it with a fresh MOT only to find yet more expense, on work that he only had carried out in the last six months.
Just keep on taking the pills steve, you will get over it.
GreenV8S said:
loads of fair comments
Yes you're right, not fair to pre-judge.
Still have to say I'm surprised that brakes are sticking after such a short time though - but I suppose that depends exactly what the garage was originally asked to do.
I've had occasions where I've fixed one thing only for something else to go wrong shortly after (ie sticky cable after changing shoes) but I'm not charging for my time so I don't give myself any warranties!
Personally Steve, I agree with Pete, its unfair to blame the garage, after 6 months of infrequent use. We all know that if a car stands around for periods, you said yourself its been doing 200 miles a month, the brakes can get sticky/seize. I dont see how you can be absolutely sure the garage didnt do their job properly 6 months down the line when the car has been stood for periods unused?
I have had plenty of dealings with them and they are excellent. I have also used Offords and found them to be excellent too but they didnt always do everything to my satisfaction? Give them the benefit of the doubt and give them a ring I am sure you will get a positive response?!
>> Edited by V8Smith on Tuesday 14th June 13:30
I have had plenty of dealings with them and they are excellent. I have also used Offords and found them to be excellent too but they didnt always do everything to my satisfaction? Give them the benefit of the doubt and give them a ring I am sure you will get a positive response?!
>> Edited by V8Smith on Tuesday 14th June 13:30
Pies said:
Just for info,i had my car serviced there and i now have judder on the brakes.I know they serviced the brakes as i watched them do it 
I probably know why this is ,its because some idiot (me) left it parked over winter with the handbrake fully on
You need to use the force, young jedi, and cadence brake so you lift off at the rusty lumpy bit.
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