HiThis morning I dropped my car off for its MOT. The place where I take my car, takes the car to another garage to carry out the MOT and he does any repairs which need doing.I got a call a few hours later saying that the car had failed its MOT - 3 brake pipes. He didnt state a price for the repairs due to another problem - they cant get the car started at the MOT place so he cant get the car on his ramp to give me a price.The key I gave the mechanic this morning was the red key. I have quite frequently drove with this key (I have 2 blue and 1 red key) and have never had a problem. I know since doing a google search that this is not advisable.I dropped the 2 blue keys off to the mechanic this afternoon but did not hear anything.I phoned up about 5:30pm today and was told that the blue keys didnt work and they even got a key person out but still no luck. He was saying this is because of the red key.He is going to tow the car back to his garage tonight and disconnect the battery and leave overnight and see if this resets itself - would this work?Also whos responsibility to pay would this fall under - myself for only giving the mechanic the red key or the garage as I have never ever had a problem when using the red key. Would I have to pay for the tow back to the garage also?Also if they do fix the key problem, how much would 3 brake pipes cost to be repaired/replacedcheers in advance

Depends on the brake pipes but there is a chance it is the ones from front to back which means the fuel tank has to be lowered so it makes it a bit more expensive. First thing to sort out is the starting problem though. As to who is responsible for payment i'm not sure but i doubt the garage will foot the bill as they didn't really do anything wrong.

Could I argue to shift the blame onto the garage? if so what can I say?

The car was in their hands, you entrusted them with it. At least get some of the cost. I used to drive about occasionally with the red key too and no problems however not advisable none the less.

As for brake pipes, if you have the equipment you can make your own copper ones up for peanuts

ive drove for months only using the red key. the only reason its not advisable is incase the battery goes flat in that key as far as im aware, it doesnt put the ecu into any other mode it just carrys a master key. nothing special.

if its not starting what is it doing? if the code light isnt on its not the key at fault, if its not even turning over its defo not the key.

the key will cut fuel supply and spark so if its got one or the other of them then its not the key.

Its fairly obvious that the repairing garage disconnected the battery, or moved components/wiring in the engine relay box area. This area is prone to contaminated connections, rotting wiring etc.
A good clean up around the relay and fuses will put the car back on the road.
Tony.