I was asked by SWMBO to look over her 2011 Astra J, prior to it's MOT this weekend.
We bought it directly from Eden Vauxhall 3 years ago. Paid over the odds - around £6,000 - but, it had one owner, 30k miles, etc, and was a good trouble free option. As part of the deal, it came with a "Lifetime Free MOT" at Eden dealerships. Of course, given my experience (and that of others) on here, I have always been highly suspicious of this, although it's not been an issue (until now). It's well known that main dealerships just do not apply discretion fairly, compared to other garages.
Anyhow, I had a look at the car, and other than a bulb which we changed, could not see anything wrong, other than the front tyres were a bit low on tread (although evenly worn). I measured them across the whole tyre, and although borderline - they are all 1.8+mm across the tread. So I say to her "you'll get an advisory on the tyres, but she should go through otherwise. Take it for the MOT and we'll get some tyres in the week".
To cut a long story short - they called her after the MOT. "Your car has failed, on the front tyres being under 1.6mm, and corrosion to a rear coil spring". She says to them "no worries, we'll come and pick it up, do the repairs, and bring it back for a retest".
"Sorry madam, we can't let you do that. The tyres are a "dangerous" MOT failure. The car is illegal to drive, so we are unable to release it to you until we change the tyres".
What an absolute bunch of lying, scheming sharks. Last time I checked, construction and use regulations were enforced on the roads by the police, not by car dealerships. Who are they to keep our vehicle?
Don't get me wrong - if there were a truly dangerous failure, like a broken wishbone, I'd get it, but.... a borderline tyre, which isn't even illegal anyway?
We are going to speak to them today, but if they want to continue to play silly beggars, I'm going to hire a car trailer from our local hire place (£35) and drag it away behind the Range Rover, and not give them the business over the principle!
I have found rear springs for just under £40 a corner, and they look remarkably easy to fit on this model... I'm guessing even for just two springs and two tyres, the stealership would absolutely spank us in the pocket?
Appreciate any views