Technical MOT fail advise...

[milesb0801]

Hi all,

Took my 2004 panda to have it's MOT done today. I had a feeling I was going to get something come up on the exhaust as it has been very noisy recently but the garage I took it to quoted me £440 for all the work and I'm wondering if this is a bit over the top... they say the exhaust part is 'very pricey' but a quick search shows I can get hold of it for £30!

Anyway the damage is...

- major leak of exhaust gases (flexi pipe)
- suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint offside front lower
- suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement nearside front lower (rear bush)

It's got 71K on the clock and I haven't had it too long so I don't want to give it up just yet but £440 borders on not being economically worthwhile.

Does anyone think it would be possible to get this work done for less?

 

[jimboy]

These are easy jobs that can be done if you're handy with the spanners.

 

[milesb0801]

Yeah I had a feeling I am looking at a hefty labour charge essentially on the quote that was given to me...

I might visit a couple of local garages tomorrow that run a more humble operation!

 

[Goudrons]

That lot shouldn't be too expensive to put right, but I wouldn't say your quote is extortionist when you consider what dealers and some other garages charge for labour (and then add VAT)

A complete pattern exhaust costs around £75-£80 on ebay.

And if you bought your suspension arms from Shop4parts with a forum discount, that would be £68 for the pair.

Then all you need is to negotiate with a VAT shy back street garage labour to fit, say £100.

Perhaps if you said where you are someone might point you in the path of someone more reasonable.

 

[jrkitching]

Does anyone think it would be possible to get this work done for less?

Yes.

Basically you need a pair of aftermarket suspension arms and a bit of exhaust. On a 13yr old Panda, you may as well use the cheapest parts you can find, since realistically they'll still likely outlast the car. A small independent garage should be able to do this work for less than you've been quoted.

I wouldn't scrap an otherwise good car for £440; if you think it'll do another year once it's got an MOT, you've got your money's worth, and if you get another year after that, it's a bonus.

 

[koalar]

1- major leak of exhaust gases (flexi pipe)
2- suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint offside front lower
3- suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement nearside front lower (rear bush)

1 centre section £26 inc VAT, Exhaust manifold gasket £5.99 inc (if you need to drop the CAT) and £1 for silicon sealant. If the back box is near it end of life its only an extra £26
2 ball joint £10
3 A pair of arms are £50


£460 sounds a bit dear. Especially as they will get the parts trade.

 

[milesb0801]

Perhaps if you said where you are someone might point you in the path of someone more reasonable.

Thanks for the advise. I am in Cornwall...

 

[Goudrons]

I can't help you in Cornwall, it's a shame as I know a local spanner man that does me the odd job for beer money.

All I can suggest is looking on here
https://www.goodgaragescheme.com/
And shopping around.

Explain it's both front suspension arms and an exhaust mid pipe that's needed, though it's worth pointing out, if the mid exhaust pipe is rotten and needs replacing, you'll probably have to swap the back box too, which is why I priced up a complete system.

It's almost impossible to split the two older parts apart without peeling or cutting one from the other, the back box joint fit over the mid pipe, it's that one that tends gets mullered getting it off.

I've spent hours trying to get a neat split and only managed it once (out of three)!

 

[milesb0801]

I happened upon this place not too far from me...

http://www.ubiquemotordiy.com/

A DIY garage! It's run by a guy who used to service helicopters for the Navy. Basically he gets trade parts in for you and helps you fit them in his garage! Never heard of anything like this before but i'm loving the idea! He has quoted me £158 for the parts, and I think I just give him a small fee for use of the space. Amazing.

 

[Goudrons]

That sounds good.
Make sure you report back on the experience, it might help others.

 

[koalar]

1- major leak of exhaust gases (flexi pipe)
2- suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint offside front lower
3- suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement nearside front lower (rear bush)

1 centre section £26 inc VAT, Exhaust manifold gasket £5.99 inc (if you need to drop the CAT) and £1 for silicon sealant. If the back box is near it end of life its only an extra £26
2 ball joint £10
3 A pair of arms are £50


£460 sounds a bit dear. Especially as they will get the parts trade.

Whoops put £26 twice instead of £19.95 Plus VAT for the centre section.

Just done this job a couple of weeks ago. Not too bad at all. A reciprocating saw would make the job easy. I don't have one so I used a jigsaw which doesn't go all the way through and finished with a handsaw. Much better than hammering which is likely to damage the CAT

 

[milesb0801]

That sounds good.
Make sure you report back on the experience, it might help others.

The DIY garage i linked above is great. Bloke there gave me pointers and assisted with the right tools and i successfully fitted new wishbones and centre section of exhaust. I got it through MOT without any too worrying advisorys.

One thing it did not (that i was aware of) was an oil leak. I think it is coming out somewhere on the right hand side of the engine, looks like mayhem and not sure where to start fixing it! Does that stuff you add to your oil that's supposed to seal up leaks work?

 

[Goudrons]

I wouldn't put anything in it expect the correct oil.

They aren't too well known for leaking, but like any engine, it's possible.
The most common is the sump pan, it bolted to the bottom of the engine, it can rust badly and start leaking as it's in the firing line of all the water and dirt.

If you can identify where it's coming from, you should get some pointer on how to fix it (or if it's worth it, you might just need to keep it topped up if it's hard to fix and only a small dribble).

 

[DaveMcT]

Just to add. When garages quote silly money for exhausts, ask why they need to replace and why.

The manifold catalyst is expensive and might need replacement, but this is very rare are even a crack at the exhaust pipe joint can be welded.

As discussed above, the actual system is so cheap you might as well fit the whole lot and be done with it. Mine is looking ropy everywhere back from (just before) the flexi joint but it's 10 years old and probably the original.