MOT rip off??

[Pilfo]

Still undecided whether to change my 3 year old van, it had to be MOT'd by 31 May 2008.

I booked it in (with the Company it was purchased from) last Monday, but the only available date they could give me, was yesterday (Tuesday 3 June 2008).

I also have the Van serviced by them, and it was last serviced 2 weeks ago. Although the Van was 3 years old on 1 June 2008, it has only covered 12,500 miles!

I took the Van in at 08.45 hrs yesterday, and they took my contact number. Come 17.00 hrs nobody called, and I couldn't get in touch with them.

I telephoned first thing this morning, only to be told that it had failed the MOT because of high exhaust emissions. This was apparently due to the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation valve), which may just require cleaning...at a cost of £77.00 + VAT!!

The 3 year warranty expired on 1 June 2008...how coincidental?

Any advice?

Pilfo

[Grassman]

Ask to see the printed readout

[Subbynet]

Yeah, Grassman is spot on - these machines do a printed readout of each test, and this should be made available to you as you've paid for it.

You'll be able to find the current allowed emissions levels on-line and you can check.

[Lasting Designs]

I'd also ask about the service too, proper maintainance should keep the motor on the right side of legal, but it would depend on the type of service you had. Particularly things such as oil change, filters and plugs are designed to keep the engine working efficiently and thus emission levels down.

I may be lucky in the garage I use, but they do run a check the car at every service interval in view of getting through the next MOT at the same time, never had a nasty suprise, just the odd CV boot, tyre or bush need replacing.

[Stonelaughter]

I would simply take it to another garage and ask them to do a test on it... don't tell them any history and see what comes out. A three year old van with such a low mileage should not need anything cleaning to pass the MOT Emissions test.

[Lewcy]

The problem is common, however ask to see the readout. If it has only just gone over the limit then goto a petrol station and buy some additive which cleans your engine and reduces emmisions, redex type. Put the whole bottle of this in half a tank and watch your emmisions go down! This is always best to do before you have your mot the first time round :)

Depending on the van there may also be a way of making it run leaner.

[bovine]

additives can help, also an "italian tuneup" before the mot is advisable, especially because of the low mileage.

in case you dont know, an italian tuneup is essentially redline the engine for a few miles- just run it in a lower gear than you would normally. This helps burn off any muck.

if i recall correctly, some egr valves are simple plug in and out units. You could go to honestjohn.co.uk forums, there are some very knowledgeable people on there regarding cars and this sort of thing.