CV boot splits and semi-rant at Audi MOT protection

[kalniel]

So MOT protection from Audi sounds OK - normal priced MOT, but if it fails then the cost of fixing various parts is covered. Usual wear items are excluded etc. but for no additional cost it's not bad.

So I dutifully just had an Audi MOT and service. It sails through the MOT, clean as a whistle and I'm feeling rather proud of the old girl. Then at the service I get a call:

"there's a tiny split in one of the CV boots, you'll need it replacing before MOT".

What?! It just passed MOT with the boot in the same condition.

"We don't actually do the MOT ourselves"

But if it had been found at MOT it would be covered by the MOT protection right?

"Yes"

But because it wasn't, it's not?

"No."

You know this looks like a way of getting out of doing the fix under the protection insurance?

"We wouldn't do that. It's very minor, and next years MOT will be covered by the insurance"

Except it won't, because my car will pass 100k before it's next MOT, thus according to my last insurance T&Cs, would exempt it from cover.

"It's 150k miles now"

I don't have that in writing. Because the MOT handlers should have given me a copy, but didn't - they'll post one instead. Luckily there's a copy online, which does state 150k miles now, phew. (http://www.audi.co.uk/content/dam/au...ection_T_C.pdf)

OK so dilemma about next year's MOT aside and probably resolved, should I just ignore it until then and have it sorted only when needed on MOT fail (though I guess it would have to become more obvious for this particular test station to spot it)?

Or should I do something about it in the meantime?

My audi chap has suggested bringing it in to him in a few weeks for a decent inspection and he'll see what he can do (in light of my noted concern about if it needed doing before MOT then why wasn't it picked up at MOT). Whether he'll wrangle something out of the insurance guys or not I don't know.

If I do get something done, it's a toss up between Audi and the local indie - who are good for jobs that they can do.. but honestly charge what time it took them, so when something's trickier than normal it can in rare cases be as expensive as Audi.

OR, mildly evil option: given it's just had a clean as a whistle MOT, do I sell it and get a new (old) car?

[bytejunkie]

you'll struggle to get a dry CV to last a year. not worth the risk.

theres nowt tricky about a CV. i'd do it myself in times gone by, but an indie ought to do it in 90 minutes, including a fag break.

though you seem to want a new car. time to testdrive the 3.2 a3?

[kalniel]

though you seem to want a new car. time to testdrive the 3.2 a3?

Don't really - keep seeing cars I'd maybe like, but they're not going to be affordable for a few years and when I think about it, I'm delighted with mine - doubt the 3.2 A3 would manage 60mpg I just don't like all the niggly costs that are beginning to add up, though if CV joints aren't biggies then the indie will get my business and I'll have done with it - it would take some doing to equal the cost of a newer car. There's also some mild wheel bearing noise and a noisy bush. With any luck it's all the same corner and I could get them to do most of it even if the latter two have been passed off as fine every time I've asked about them.

[Macadee]

I'd be kicking up a stink with the dealer about his choice of MOT station, failing that take it up a level to Audi UK.

[kalniel]

I'd be kicking up a stink with the dealer about his choice of MOT station, failing that take it up a level to Audi UK.

Yes might be worth a try.

[GoNz0]

go in and kick up a stink, always works better from past experience.

[PK71]

go in and kick up a stink, always works better from past experience.

Had a similar problem myself some years ago, deffo worth a big old moan. Cheeky buggers. Best of luck.

[Agent]

So I dutifully just had an Audi MOT and service. It sails through the MOT, clean as a whistle and I'm feeling rather proud of the old girl. Then at the service I get a call:

"there's a tiny split in one of the CV boots, you'll need it replacing before MOT".

What?! It just passed MOT with the boot in the same condition.

"We don't actually do the MOT ourselves"

Correct me if I'm wrong here Kal, but that reads to me like it passed the MOT and then they've found something which it should have failed on?

If that's the case then the MOT station needs reporting for passing vehicles that shouldn't. It just sounds a bit dodgy, finding an issue like that right after its test.

Check their website to see if they do have a on site MOT test station. If they don't say, you can use the on-line government finder as the "we don't actually do it" sounds a bit suspect. If they don't do it, who does? and do they charge you for moving your car there? How do they move it - drive or back of a lorry? What if it has an expired MOT?

Just doesn't sound right.

[kalniel]

Correct me if I'm wrong here Kal, but that reads to me like it passed the MOT and then they've found something which it should have failed on?

If that's the case then the MOT station needs reporting for passing vehicles that shouldn't.

Absolutely.

It just sounds a bit dodgy, finding an issue like that right after its test.

Yes, and I said as such.

Check their website to see if they do have a on site MOT test station. If they don't say, you can use the on-line government finder as the "we don't actually do it" sounds a bit suspect. If they don't do it, who does? and do they charge you for moving your car there? How do they move it - drive or back of a lorry? What if it has an expired MOT?

It's not on site, I've got the details on the MOT certificate I expect - think they just take it to and pay a third party MOT station to do the test. Audi effectively pay for the MOT themselves, until recently that was it - it was all free. These days it's not free, you pay a nominal sum (less than the standard MOT charge) and they sort it - you get the transport, a valet, and this MOT insurance thingy. Pretty sure they can drive it to the MOT station even if the MOT expired as it's on the way to a booked assessment.

Yes, there's a chance.. small chance.. that the split could have occurred after MOT and before service - it can't be 100% ruled out. But more likely the MOT station just didn't spot it.

Just doesn't sound right.

Indeed, though the service guy appeared not to know I had the MOT protection, so I'm slightly inclined to believe it was not malicious, just incompetent, and as it's not Audi testing themselves, their incompetence comes down to their choice of MOT test station, so goodwill will be needed rather than being too corporate. Of course, I presume I could now put it in for another MOT with Audi, which it should fail, and thus trigger the MOT protection and get me a free fix

[GoNz0]

if you collect the car then the DVLA/VOSA can't do ****, I have picked up a car and found the rear shock leaking oil the day it passed, they didn't want to know.

[kalniel]

Indie can't find anything wrong with CV joints/boots, despite their now being a graunching sound on turning left. Suspects steering rack.. or anti-roll bar/bush. Needs to book a chunk of labour to investigate however

[DanceswithUnix]

Well that sounds *really* dodgy if there wasn't actually a problem, and lets the MOT station off the hook.

[kalniel]

Well that sounds *really* dodgy if there wasn't actually a problem, and lets the MOT station off the hook.

Oh there's definitely a problem somewhere now - it's clearly audible, the indie just couldn't see anything wrong with the CV joints. Problem is it wasn't audible at time of the MOT (or indeed subsequent service), so something has deteriorated. I'm inclined to think Audi are actually right on this one - if an inner CV joint boot split and the indie just can't see the grease because it's been raining recently... Though indie also thought it wasn't CV because the noise is audible when turning the steering wheel at rest.

[HalloweenJack]

inner or outer? outer its obvious , but inner can get expensive especially if its a gearbox seal aswell.


don't worry - mine passed its mot and 48 hours later my alternator has just started to die.... this is after a wishbone (damn ball joints that cant be changed) and also an outer cv boot.


btw don't be tempted for a universal stretch type - go to ECP and get a type specific one (they also have a discount code on as well)

[kalniel]

Indie found problem with suspension mounting. Reasonable price to fix. Fingers crossed this is it, and hopefully no ongoing problem with CV joint boot (confused how audi can suspect this now, given the investigation from indie can't find a problem).