Halfords

[Migalot]

OK, I know what you are all going to say, but it seemed very convenient to me to book my car in for MoT at my local Halfords.

After all James' work, I thought it would be a breeze...but no.

They failed it on 'Headlight aim too far to the right offside front". OK, maybe it was but it's passed two previous MoTs elsewhere and I can't see the beam moving about if not touched. Anyhow, now hopefully corrected.

BUT they also failed it on "Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak Offside Rear" and ditto nearside rear.

They quoted £327.86 for the replacement of the two shock absorbers!

The last two MoTs have given advisories about light dusting of oil and I've done very little mileage in the last 2 years.

Anyhow, James once again came to the rescue. He was appalled, as was I, since, when we had the wheels off there was no evidence of a "serious" leak. In fact, no evidence of a leak at all (see pics, if they upload).

I'll get it retested and hopefully get a pass. THEN...I shall hit the roof.

[STEMO]

Halfords is not only a shit garage, it's also a rip off merchant as well. Serves you right for going anywhere near. 

[STEMO]

Although some will disagree, the headlight beam alignment thingy is usually done to keep VOSA happy.

[dave the builder]

Halfords charge about £25 per headlight to adjust 
not a good place to take a car for an MOT
you had 2 years worth of advisories about the shocks ,which are cheap ,easy to replace and if original ,19+years old 

[STEMO]

Halfords charge about £25 per headlight to adjust 
not a good place to take a car for an MOT
you had 2 years worth of advisories about the shocks ,which are cheap ,easy to replace and if original ,19+years old 

My MOT garage put it down as a fail, but no mention of any money to fix it before issuing a pass 

[Migalot]

you had 2 years worth of advisories about the shocks ,which are cheap ,easy to replace and if original ,19+years old 

Not the point. I don't object to advisories (which are there to remind you to monitor the state of something). I object to being told that they have a "serious fluid leak", when that simply isn't the case.

[dave the builder]

2+ years of leaking oil ,even slightly  would suggest they where well past their best .
they won't "leak seriously" once all the oil has leaked out 
shocks are a service item ,they only last so long .
advisories on an MOT are there to warn you to "keep an eye" on something that is deteriorating and could fail in the tester's opinion . components rarely self heal and get better .
the MOT sets the bar pretty low anyway ,minimum requirements

[TheBoy]

Halfords Autocentres are what was once called Nationwide Autocentres, formerly Lucas Autocentre.  They were scumbags back then, pulling the same tricks to con motorists.

Their other stunt is to quote low, then dramatically raise the price upon arrival.

Best avoided at all costs.

[johnnydog]

As has been said, a slight misting of oil is permissable. A 'wet' shocker is a fail. They don't look how I would describe as 'wet'.
At least they are relatively cheap and easy to replace. Think yourself lucky they weren't self levelling shock absorbers.....

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Complain to Trading standards just for the fun of it. 

[Rangie]

I Would never use Halfords or Kwik fit all con artists, been publicised so many times on various forums.

[countrywoman]

Well I used to be a tester at Worcester Halfords branch and we were a good bunch , at worst that would have been an advisory. Has to be dripping from damper to fail. Quite often if it was easy would adjust headlamps for free at end of test.
Managers used to have control over pricing and would discount jobs but now its all computerised , even down to tecs having pads that give them times etc for jobs . Glad I am out.

[Doctor Gollum]

A picture doesn't tell you how they work...

Did they compress and extend smoothly and evenly throughout the entire piston stroke with some resistance?

If not, or any hesitancy answering the question, then you know they need replacing.

You would be insane to replace them for the quoted price, and you could call them out on that, but realistically, they wear out between 80 and 120k miles, so it's probably a fair failure.

[VXL V6]

With respect to the cost of the shock absorbers - if they are Elite air assisted shocks then they are significantly more expensive.... and NLS

[Migalot]

Phoned up this morning to book in for a re-test.

"We can do 11 o'clock"

"That's fine see you then"

Arrive. Young girl on the desk takes the paper and disappears into the workshop.

"Sorry, but it'll be an hour and a half before he can do the re-test"

"Can I speak to the manager, please?"

"We have a free tester, but he's working in the Halfords bays and the car was tested in the National bays and, as they have two different VOSA licences, it would be breaking the law for the free tester to sign-off. Can you come back at 2.30?"

"No, I can't. Look, I am not interested in your excuses. You said 11, so sort it"

Left at 11.25 with Pass certificate. They didn't have the cheek to charge me the usual £15 re-test fee.

Muppets.