Previous owner MOT didn't spot the brakes were no good

[lowfat]

I bought my car a month ago and the MOT was done by the previous owner two months ago. I've just had a new tyre put on and the garage said I need new brakes pads and discs all round.
On the MOT it said no advisory points. Someone is lying here - either the garage I took it to today or the garage that gave it a MOT. Surely the brakes can't be worn down almost to the metal and a tyre go smooth where there should be tread within two months/1000miles.
I've heard of appealing against an MOT failure but does anyone know how to appeal about a car that has passed its MOT but shouldn't have?

[Capncol]

Have you got a green MOT cert or a plain paper one? Your test would have been done around the changeover time.
Green certs had advisories on seperate yellow sheet, and on front R/H side of new plain paper type certs. So is it possible you wasn't given advisoy sheet?

Bearing in mind you are querying an MOT of 2 months old, there are several reasons that this could happen.
For instance, between MOT & your ownership, the previous owner had an unrepairable puncture (and as there is no spare) he had a part worn tyre fitted (especially as he was selling car & didn't want to spend out too much?)
Also it is not unheard of for people to "borrow" a set of wheels & tyres for the purpose of gaining an MOT.

Tracking out of adjustment will wear tyres quickly too, as will incorrect tyre pressure.
Peugeots can be hard on brake wear (more so with cheap aftermarket pads) so may have had enough meat on at time of MOT.
The tester is responsible for the condition at time of test only as he has no control over how it is driven or what happens to car once it has left.

Who has said needs discs & pads? My moneys on Kwik fit. Yes?

( I am in no way defending rogue MOT stations, Just trying to introduce some balance? )

Before you go complaining to vosa, please be certain the defects were there at time of MOT.
In any case you only have 3 month to appeal for corrosion related issues & 28 days for everything else, so really you are too late.
[quote http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Ow ... DG_4022113]

What to do if you think your car has passed incorrectly

These cases usually relate to recently bought vehicles and you should let VOSA know as soon as possible.

Subject to acceptance of the complaint, VOSA will offer an appointment within five working days to recheck your vehicle without charge, provided:

* no more than three months has passed since the MOT test for a corrosion related problem
* no more than 28 days has passed with other defects

The address of your local VOSA office is displayed in the MOT test station or can be obtained from VOSA on 0300 123 9000.[/quote]


If you feel that aggreived, I would take the matter up with previous owner or just write it off to expieriance.

[lowfat]

Hi thanks for taking the time to reply. My MOT is on plain white paper and so there is the space for advisory information but it's blank. The garage wasn't Kwik fit, it was Setyres - http://www.setyres.co.uk/ They quoted £140 for the new discs and brake pads at the front and £130 for the back. It's strange because they offered to do it at 4.30pm which only gives them an hour to do it on as they shut at 5.30pm, but when I phoned a Peugeot dealer to see how much they charge they said that it would take 1.5 hours to do the front and another 1.5 hours to do the back so how can setyres do both within an hour? Just for your info the Peugeot dealer quoted £415 in total (front and back). I was thinking of going to Halfords to get a second opinion. Any thoughts on the above?
PS I phoned the car dealer who I bought it off a month ago and he said that he would take a look at it but I am cautious that he might put on second hand parts. Does this sound likely?

[Capncol]

An hour is about right for F&R discs and pads and I think Setyres are about right pricewise, So I think your Peugeot dealer is being a bit creative. Did you see the worn pads for yourself?

Without going into details, I personally wouldn't use Halfords,
(or Kwik fit, which is why I asked)
In your shoes I would find a local independent garage or mobile mechanic with a good reputation (they do exist) and go with them. With a mobile you can watch him do the job & see for yourself what parts are fitted.

Regarding the dealer you bought it from, I would lay money they wont fit s/h parts. It's just not cost effective, but I wouldn't be surprised if they only put new pads in

[lowfat]

Thanks once again for your reply. So regarding your prediction that you think my car dealer would probaby just replace the brake pads and not the discs, am I to presume that brake pads are fairly cheap and discs are expensive or is that the pads are quick and easy to fix but the discs are fidely and time consuming?

[GrandadMonkey]

I can understand Capricol's concern for you.

Tyre fitters are often targeted to sell additional items, especially brake pads and discs. They can have financial incentives to do so. They often receive a bonus for "spotting" worn ones. (Even if they are not worn out yet). How much thickness is left on the pad material and how thin (or badly pitted) are the discs?

The minimum brake pad material thickness is 2.0mm. (Front and back).

The minimum thickness of ventilated front discs is 18.4mm.

The minimum thickness of the solid rear discs is 6.0mm.

If the dimensions are greater than that, and their appearance is OK then they won't need changing yet. My brake pads have done about 25,000 miles, are on the originals, and are only about half worn. The discs are in really good condition still.

If you knew how many people go to buy a tyre, only to be told they need brake pads, brake discs, and tracking adjustment, or easy to fit steering components, and shock absorbers, you might be surprised. Just don't get conned.

[Capncol]

Grandadmonkey has put into words what I was alluding to (which is why I asked if you had seen the pads yourself.
Try googling Kwik fit, Mr Clutch, Halfords etc (halfrauds may also bring up results) Try inserting keywords such as problem, rip off etc: & see what it throws up.

Regarding whether you would get discs, or discs & pads replaced by the dealer you bought the car from.
Discs are useually a bit dearer tha pads, especially if they are vented.
On the 206, you have to take the calipers & caliper carriers off (brackets) in order to remove the discs (although you can remove rear discs with just the pads removed, but it is much harder to get the caliper pistons to screw back in on their adjusters afterwards0
So there is more work & more expence to change pads & discs. Dealers will useually do the minimum they can get away with- hence I suspect unless your discs are exremely worn, you will only get new pads.

[lowfat]

Thanks for taking the time to advise poor ignorant me. I really appreciate it.

[LouiseBradford]

Just thought I'd post that on an Mot depending on what wheels are on the vehicle depends if the pads can be checked , for instance some steel wheels you can not see the pads therefore you can not pass or fail or advise , an mot er can not remove wheels to check

[mandrake]

I bought my car a month ago and the MOT was done by the previous owner two months ago. I've just had a new tyre put on and the garage said I need new brakes pads and discs all round.
On the MOT it said no advisory points. Someone is lying here - either the garage I took it to today or the garage that gave it a MOT. Surely the brakes can't be worn down almost to the metal and a tyre go smooth where there should be tread within two months/1000miles.
I've heard of appealing against an MOT failure but does anyone know how to appeal about a car that has passed its MOT but shouldn't have?

Happened to me when I bought a car second hand. The brakes made a rumbling sound as I came to a stop,that's the only way I can describe it. I failed my mot and the garage I took it to charged me a hefty mot cost