General Is it me or what?

[lazarus]

I took my ducato 2.8jtd, 2004, 27k miles for an mot on the 24 july it is still there! took it to this garage for the last few years, it fails on the hand brake everytime, i was told it was a design fault, its a swift kontiki conversion and when it was built they didn't uprate the handbrake, fair enough so i leave it with the garage they test it and do a manual test and adjust the HB, this time though things are different, the mot tester told me he had passed everything except the HB the owner of the garage took it upon himself to change all the brake pads, HB shoes and cable without asking me i might add not even a phone cal,l so i went over and he said he was having problems finding the correct cable and had to order one from fiat in Italy cost £190.00,well stap me vittles, this guy has been in business for twenty odd years and they cant source a HB cable for a ducato, so i got on the internet found one within 10 minutes parts for cars cost £26.00 delivered.Back to the pads, i had the wheels off and did a visual check on the pads and they looked fine, plenty of wear left on them,the guy at the garage showed me some pads and shoes allegedly taken off my van and they were down to the metal!taking the cable in tomorrow cant wait till i get the bill, as i have rebuilt tr6s and lots of landrovers i was a bit miffed he undertook the work especially without asking me,my flabber has never been so gasted!!plus i have missed getting away for last weeks nice weather!! do i have to pay the bill, can i tell him to shove it and can he refuse to let me take my van as i am getting very annoyed with this man treating me like a moron.

 

[tommytopgun]

Personally I'd refuse to pay and report him to trading standards. I'm sure there is something about unauthorised work, that applies.

 

[tommytopgun]

Also, for an MOT I'd take it to a garage that only dose MOT's, they have no interest in ripping you off.

 

[Oneill]

I'm a mechanic, and you do not start any work without the owners say so.
I've got a 1986 LHD ducato van,and yes,the handbrake is a problem.
I always slacken it off,then adjust the shoes up,then take the slack up out of the cable.
It passes every year,without any problems.

 

[lazarus]

latest on MOT
wow this is turning into a classic of epic proportions, van is still at the garage the latest is i went to the garage on Monday with the cable i had found on the net he, the mechanic, owner, took one look at it and said na wont fit, ok i said so whats plan g he said ive ordered one from fiat in Italy he had told me that there was no part no. on the old cable, so i picked the cable up which had been lying on the floor for the last two weeks and saw the part no straight away
says AL-KO 1292692 (for a kontiki 2004 2.8 if anyone needs it)the thing is he didn't actually need the part no.when i emailed alko in Warwick they said send part no. or vin no. simples so i phoned alko paid for the cable £130.00 bit of a shock, however thought, well that's that sorted be here tomorrow,er not quite alko Warwick do not stock spares, it has to come from Germany so thats next Wednesday and all this time of good weather is wasted, i am passed stressing now, it will be done when its done, when i said i could have knocked a cable up in my shed he just laughed then told me, well im off for a short break im back on Monday, the cable he ordered arrives today, Friday. cant wait till he gives me a bill!!