Mike Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 So... had my car in for it's service and MOT. It needed; two rear tyres and rear wiper to pass the MOT However they noticed that the front brake hoses had perished, and it needed a new off-side front shock. No surprises there, this is the last shock to replace - the rest have been done over the last couple of years. The garage just called and the work has been done, but there was a problem with the shock and the 'two bolts' that hold the 'cup fixing' on the wishbone (would it be 'arm'?) had snapped off. So they've welded the cup to the where it should be. They've told me that this makes the fixing stronger, but as it's not the original fixing, it will need to be replaced to pass another MOT. They're sourcing a new lower wishbone for me. So the work so far has cost me £920... and I still have the wishbone replacement to come bloody cars! I have no clue on suspension - any views on this? is it a common thing? a few of the people in my office are saying if they broke it they should do the work for free/reduced... but I'm thinking this is a 13 year old car?! I would consider this wear and tear. What do you lot think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 So... 1 shock absorber 2 rear tyres 1 rear wiper Front brake pipes Labour The cost of the MOT Seems expensive to me, I'd expect it to be closer to half that. As for the bit they have welded up, if it's suitable to pass an MOT with them now it should be suitable to pass one next year, sounds like a bodge to me though. They shouldn't really be putting any force on anything that can snap off and get welded back on, wishbones are aluminium aren't they? I'd be dubious about this, are they a trusted garage or is it possible they are taking advantage of you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 So... 1 shock absorber 2 rear tyres 1 rear wiper Front brake pipes Labour The cost of the MOT Seems expensive to me, I'd expect it to be closer to half that. Agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 but I'm thinking this is a 13 year old car?! I would consider this wear and tear. What do you lot think? I agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 So... 1 shock absorber 2 rear tyres 1 rear wiper Front brake pipes Labour The cost of the MOT Seems expensive to me, I'd expect it to be closer to half that. I forgot the 'link' needed replacing too - they noticed this had rusted when they were replacing the shock. The breakdown I got is; Brake Hoses - £157 Shock Absorber - £196 Link - £60 Rear Wiper - £4 Tyres - £205 Service - £112 MOT - £53 Parts TOTAL £787 +vat £924 As for the bit they have welded up, if it's suitable to pass an MOT with them now it should be suitable to pass one next year, sounds like a bodge to me though. They shouldn't really be putting any force on anything that can snap off and get welded back on, wishbones are aluminium aren't they? It is a bodge - they've been upfront about it, but as they don't have a lower wishbone to hand they done this as a short term fix. They're going to call me in the next couple of weeks to replace, once they get the part. It passed the MOT before the bit snapped off, so for the MOT it was fine. I'd be dubious about this, are they a trusted garage or is it possible they are taking advantage of you? It's ToydaTech, who I've used for all of the time I've had the car. I trust them, and Stu knows his stuff, but always good to see what other folks think - as you can tell I'm clueless with this stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 You didn't mention the service before. That's a very very cheap service price. That price for 1 shock is eye watering. May as well go the whole hog and get a set of coilovers for that money and sell your old ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 You didn't mention the service before. That's a very very cheap service price. That's just the 'A' service - the 'B' is every two years... I think about £200 or thereabouts. That price for 1 shock is eye watering. May as well go the whole hog and get a set of coilovers for that money and sell your old ones. I know... but I'm thinking I just want the dam thing done now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 No-one is screaming 'oh my god that bodge is dangerous and you're going to die' yet anyway Phew... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Shock absorber seems expensive but I'm presuming it's a "proper" one from Toyota rather than a KYB or some other alternative? I think they usually come in around £100 plus VAT for a pattern KYB but I've only ever bought them in sets. Brake Hoses - £157 Shock Absorber - £196 Link - £60 Rear Wiper - £4 Tyres - £205 Service - £112 MOT - £53 Parts TOTAL £787 +vat £924 If it's ToydaTech I'd presume it's all legit and that's just what it costs for them to do what they felt needing doing, probably possible to save a bit of cash on that total but a big PITA and you'd be without a car and an MOT for the duration of the cost saving exercise. It's expensive but probably the easiest option you had available, I'd still be miffed about them snapping something though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 Shock absorber seems expensive but I'm presuming it's a "proper" one from Toyota rather than a KYB or some other alternative? Yep, they only do 'proper' Toyota bits... they don't even do much aftermarket stuff. I think they're all ex-Toyota, as opposed to tuners in any sense. If it's ToydaTech I'd presume it's all legit and that's just what it costs for them to do what they felt needing doing, probably possible to save a bit of cash on that total but a big PITA and you'd be without a car and an MOT for the duration of the cost saving exercise. It's expensive but probably the easiest option you had available, I'd still be miffed about them snapping something though. That's my take on it... it's a big hit, but it probably won't need any money throwing at it for a while now. I'm probably going to sell at the end of next year. Thanks for the second opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 The breakdown I got is; Brake Hoses - £157 Shock Absorber - £196 Link - £60 Rear Wiper - £4 Tyres - £205 Service - £112 MOT - £53 £157 for Brake hoses?? WTF! Are we talking about lines or the brake hoses that for instance, 4 braided ones cost circa £70?? Shock absorber should be £120 odd IIRC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 £157 for Brake hoses?? WTF! Are we talking about lines or the brake hoses that for instance, 4 braided ones cost circa £70?? Shock absorber should be £120 odd IIRC? That's the price including labour - I didn't think that was horrific? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 That's the price including labour - I didn't think that was horrific? Doesn't even take an hour to fit 4 braided hoses - So I'd say £90 for 30 minutes labour on that is steep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 Doesn't even take an hour to fit 4 braided hoses - So I'd say £90 for 30 minutes labour on that is steep It's only the front two!? edit: and they change the brake fluid for free... to 5.1 synthetic stuff.. I think they felt sorry for me by that point!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I presumed it's the brake pipes rather than the hoses, maybe both? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Doesn't even take an hour to fit 4 braided hoses - So I'd say £90 for 30 minutes labour on that is steep That is a big hit. It's what I paid for a major service and some bits fitted. Soon adds up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I presumed it's the brake pipes rather than the hoses, maybe both? I'm hoping that too. I was only saying two brake hoses as Mike said only the front needed doing. Well Mike was it a brake fluid flush and change? As assume it'd need to be if it wasn't 5.1 in it already. Even then you're looking at about £15-20 of brake fluid for a flush and change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 The garage said 'hoses'... I'll check It was for a flush and change and they did that FOC, which was good of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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