So it's getting near the time when Dubster has his 3rd MOT.

I suspect there's going to be some work needing done sometime.
Work to be done: Either Rear Arm Bushes (not tackling that as don't have a Hydraulic Press to fit the bloody things with) or Rear Shocks, Dubster's making a hell of a noise at the back end. Suspect O/S/F Brake Calliper is sticking, but can't be sure, as the car pulls all the time.
Tracking was done about 4 weeks ago, got that done at National Tyres Ayr.

Had a card from Bridgend Ayr yesterday saying that they had booked my car in for an MOT today, so had a look online see where else I could go & National Tyres had an offer on for the MOTs, £27.42, phoned National Ayr & spoke to George who is the MOT tester & mentioned the offer & said that on the site when you go to book an MOT it's £35, he said to me "Ach just bring it down here & we'll do it for £27.42!".

Phoned Bridgend & told them that I'd got a better offer from National Tyres to which the Service Advisor said to me "Oh we can't beat that price unfortunately!"

Far as myself, Mum & Step-dad are concerned we're not going back to Bridgend.... don't trust them.
Whereas with National Tyres Ayr, I know the MOT Tester very well as well as the 2 Mechanics/ Fitters.

So going to go down to Ayr & speak to George, see what days he's in, so I can book the MOT.

Fingers crossed, I'm sure with a bit of work he'll sail through..

thing is with cheep mots they tend to find thigs "wrong" thats not wrong and try and get you to let them fix it so they get there money back , why you sacking bridgeend off?

Martyn said:

Fingers crossed, I'm sure with a bit of work he'll sail through..

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Cheers Martyn, he's going in to National Tyres Ayr on Tuesday Morning at 11am. I'm off work that day & that was the first date George could fit me in.

jatkinson said:

thing is with cheep mots they tend to find thigs "wrong" thats not wrong and try and get you to let them fix it so they get there money back , why you sacking bridgeend off?

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Simple, I've known George since I had the Panda.
Can't trust Bridgend, not after the way my mum's car came back from it's MOT, Oil on the Drivers mat & oil on the Steering Wheel.

They also wouldn't listen when I had the problem with the Alternators & unlike most Garages George knows I will be watching what they do to Dubster during the MOT & George will get me involved in the MOT, so I know what's wrong & know what's going on at all times.

Had to take Dubster to Bridgend for the last 2 MOTs as it was part of the 2 year service plan, so paid £0 for the MOTs.

What do you need a hydraulic press when doing the rear bushes? Look at powerflex rear axle bushes. Easier option.

Right took Dubster for his MOT today, talk about bag of nerves sitting in the waiting room, for what seemed like ages.
George came over to the desk & wanted me, he said to me "Guess what?" "Failed?!" was my reply "No it passed, you need a new N/S/F tyre, got Barum here at £69, so I can get that fitted if you want!" I said that I didn't think the cut on the N/S/F was that bad "Aye if you peel it back it's right through to the cord".

The knocking was NOT the rear bushes, the exhaust clamp wasn't tight enough, told George that Bridgend had done that when they replaced the alternator, as they replaced the exhaust at the same time.

So what should've been £27.60 cost me £96.40 in the end, but at least Dubster didn't fail, which kept going through my head all night, so only got about 5hrs sleep.

Andi_F said:

Right took Dubster for his MOT today, talk about bag of nerves sitting in the waiting room, for what seemed like ages.
George came over to the desk & wanted me, he said to me "Guess what?" "Failed?!" was my reply "No it passed, you need a new N/S/F tyre, got Barum here at £69, so I can get that fitted if you want!" I said that I didn't think the cut on the N/S/F was that bad "Aye if you peel it back it's right through to the cord".
.

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Yeah..... so a tyre place miraculously decides you need a tyre?

Dubious. Especially as it passed but was "through to the cord when peeled back, but we can fit it if you want" Any damage that was showing cords is an instant fail.

That'd be my "let's go and have a look" moment (knowing full well how the tyre was when it went in, i check those things)

I agree it's dubious that it wasn't an instant fail but I am relieved he is now driving around on 4 decent tyres instead of 3 and one with a nick in it. After all we were quick to tell him to get it changed when he first found the damage

Glad to hear your car is mot'd for another year Andi. happy motoring

Harper said:

I agree it's dubious that it wasn't an instant fail but I am relieved he is now driving around on 4 decent tyres instead of 3 and one with a nick in it. After all we were quick to tell him to get it changed when he first found the damage

Glad to hear your car is mot'd for another year Andi. happy motoring

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Absolutely, i'm not saying it's a bad thing it's been changed! Just find it very dubious that the MOT man seemed happy to pass it if it was that bad, which means he was either A) going to let a car that wasn't safe through the MOT, or B) The tyre wasn't that bad and he's made a sale on it by exaggerating the problem.... But as said, better that still than driving around on a damaged tyre :laugh:

Mrcento said:

Yeah..... so a tyre place miraculously decides you need a tyre?

Dubious. Especially as it passed but was "through to the cord when peeled back, but we can fit it if you want" Any damage that was showing cords is an instant fail.

That'd be my "let's go and have a look" moment (knowing full well how the tyre was when it went in, i check those things)

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I had never peeled the tyre back, so I didn't think it was too bad, but George wanted to show me, he needed me anyway to get the locking wheel bolt key, which is buried at the bottom of the Glove Box & I had to explain to him how to open the Glove Box as the handle snapped off 2years ago.

once he peeled back the tyre & shon his light into it I could see the cord.

Harper said:

I agree it's dubious that it wasn't an instant fail but I am relieved he is now driving around on 4 decent tyres instead of 3 and one with a nick in it. After all we were quick to tell him to get it changed when he first found the damage

Glad to hear your car is mot'd for another year Andi. happy motoring

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I know I should've listened at the time, but went with the Attitude of "It's still holding pressure, so it must be ok!"

Mrcento said:

Absolutely, i'm not saying it's a bad thing it's been changed! Just find it very dubious that the MOT man seemed happy to pass it if it was that bad, which means he was either A) going to let a car that wasn't safe through the MOT, or B) The tyre wasn't that bad and he's made a sale on it by exaggerating the problem.... But as said, better that still than driving around on a damaged tyre :laugh:

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George FAILED Dubster initially, I have the Failure Certificate, but George has known me for over 5 years now & knows I will want to check things before they are replaced.
The majority of people would just take the Garage's word for things.
As I said when the light was shon into the tyre & the outer edge peeled back the cord was visable.

But anyway the car's perfectly legal now, 4 good tyres 1 Barum, 1 Bridgestone & 2 Avon.

Well mate thats the main thing!

My old faithful is up for mot tomorrow I'm not sure if its going to fail or pass, it passed first time last year so what are the chances of it doing it 2 years in a row.

Boydie

Im thinking pass with fresh advisories.

for those who don't know Boydie's car we're talking a '52 Stilo Abarth due a timing belt change and that's all I know.

Looks great though and knowing the owner I agree it'll be a pass with some advisories

It's getting tested as I type this(fingers crossed)

And?

Inquiring minds need to know...

Failed!

Front spring and wishbone bush.
I have the bush only £20 but the spring oh my, the spring. You can only buy it new direct from fiat for the princely sum of £180, yep you read that correctly £180

So I have been in touch with a few scrap yards that have a car for breaking and I'm waiting for a price from them.

Boydie

springs easy to get on ebay

as Mark said, although IIRC, certain branches of (IIRC) either dingbro or D&A can manufacture (Or buy in custom) springs made to specs you want.

umm a set of lowering springs for 100 seems an easy bet aswell though

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-Replac...d=100034&prg=1031&rk=2&rkt=4&sd=281180584317&