Another Q for car mechanics

[rudebhoy]

Daughter’s car was in for service and MOT at the main VW dealer yesterday.

They have advised that both front shock absorber boots are ripped and need replacing. They have quoted £815 for this which seems a lot for what I’m guessing are rubber covers.

I’ve googled this and seen some advice saying ignore it. Is that sensible and if not and replacement is the best option, is £815 a rip off?

(Car passed MOT btw)

 

[jim8flog]

I presume they mean by that that the rubber mounts have 'gone'
or did you mis-hear and is it steering (Track rod) boots

If shock absorber I assume they are fitting new ones complete

RAC says

Shock absorber replacement cost guide

A suspension system is an integral part of keeping a vehicle safe and road legal – and shock absorbers are vital components within it.

www.rac.co.uk

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Your MOT advisery should say exactly what needs to be done.

 

[rudebhoy]

I presume they mean by that that the rubber mounts have 'gone'
or did you mis-hear and is it steering (Track rod) boots

If shock absorber I assume they are fitting new ones complete

RAC says

Shock absorber replacement cost guide

A suspension system is an integral part of keeping a vehicle safe and road legal – and shock absorbers are vital components within it.

www.rac.co.uk

No, track rod boots were replaced last month!

 

[rudebhoy]

Your MOT advisery should say exactly what needs to be done.

If you click on the image I attached to the first post, you can see what they have advised (amber advisory)

 

[GreiginFife]

They will be replacing the shocks on both sides. The rubber seals are part of the shock absorber. Still quite pricey for a couple of shocks but it’s front so they will always charge a premium for the t8me it takes.

 

[GreiginFife]

I presume they mean by that that the rubber mounts have 'gone'
or did you mis-hear and is it steering (Track rod) boots

If shock absorber I assume they are fitting new ones complete

RAC says

Shock absorber replacement cost guide

A suspension system is an integral part of keeping a vehicle safe and road legal – and shock absorbers are vital components within it.

www.rac.co.uk

No, they mean the gators that surround the piston have gone. They would refer to “top mounts” if it was the mounts.

Track rods don’t have boots, they have pressed seals.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

No, track rod boots were replaced last month!

I would be asking why wasn't the split gaiters on the shock absorbers noticed last month.

If you click on the image I attached to the first post, you can see what they have advised (amber advisory)

I did see, but I thought that was just a VW piece of paper.
Any adviseries I have had have always been on a white piece of paper that matches the pass/fail sheet and ties in with it. That they also mention brake fluid change (and costing) above it lead me to think it was just a VW form.
Having said that, I only use a stand alone MOT testing station for my vehicles. Having had a garage/MOT station fail my car on something it wasnt (because they wanted quick work) I only get them tested at somewhere with no vested interest

 

[GreiginFife]

Probably because if it’s in for a track rod specifically then they wouldn’t be looking at the shocks and/or springs.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Probably because if it’s in for a track rod specifically then they wouldn’t be looking at the shocks and/or springs.

Not even a cursory look?

 

[GreiginFife]

Not even a cursory look?

They might but you won‘t see a split in a black rubber boot inside a black spring in an arch liner with a cursory look.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

They might but you won‘t see a split in a black rubber boot inside a black spring in an arch liner with a cursory look.

Fair enough

 

[GreiginFife]

Daughter’s car was in for service and MOT at the main VW dealer yesterday.

They have advised that both front shock absorber boots are ripped and need replacing. They have quoted £815 for this which seems a lot for what I’m guessing are rubber covers.

I’ve googled this and seen some advice saying ignore it. Is that sensible and if not and replacement is the best option, is £815 a rip off?

(Car passed MOT btw)

If I recalled correctly it’s a 2018 Polo? A front shock should be about £45 inc VAT. So I’d be looking to get a local place to do it. Will probably cost around £250.

 

[chico]

Two rules in life main dealers are the biggest rip off merchants to get your car fixed. The other one is if you want to buy the dearest pint abroad go to an Irish bar.

 

[rudebhoy]

If I recalled correctly it’s a 2018 Polo? A front shock should be about £45 inc VAT. So I’d be looking to get a local place to do it. Will probably cost around £250.

Thanks, will be ringing local garage tomorrow.

 

[cliveb]

Daughter’s car was in for service and MOT at the main VW dealer yesterday.

They have advised that both front shock absorber boots are ripped and need replacing. They have quoted £815 for this which seems a lot for what I’m guessing are rubber covers.

I’ve googled this and seen some advice saying ignore it. Is that sensible and if not and replacement is the best option, is £815 a rip off?

(Car passed MOT btw)

Irrespective of whatever may or may not be required regarding the shocks, anyone who wants to charge £99 for a brake fluid change should be given a wide berth.

 

[rudebhoy]

Irrespective of whatever may or may not be required regarding the shocks, anyone who wants to charge £99 for a brake fluid change should be given a wide berth.

I was going to get the brake fluid changed at a local garage, but they told me it was fine and didn’t need doing. VW “recommend” that it is changed every 2 years.

 

[ManinBlack]

Who gets their car serviced at a main dealers? My granddaughter was quoted for new brake pads at the dealer where she bought the car. Our local garage did a service & changed pads & discs for the same price.

 

[rudebhoy]

Who gets their car serviced at a main dealers? My granddaughter was quoted for new brake pads at the dealer where she bought the car. Our local garage did a service & changed pads & discs for the same price.

She has a VW Service Plan. It cost around £500 and includes 2 services, 2 MOTs and breakdown cover. I get what you say about main dealers, but I don’t think that’s bad value.

 

[Old Colner]

She has a VW Service Plan. It cost around £500 and includes 2 services, 2 MOTs and breakdown cover. I get what you say about main dealers, but I don’t think that’s bad value.

Looks ok at face value but I find that once they get hold of the car they always find isues that ned fixing at exhorbitant cost.
I have just had a call, two weeks after they have had my car for 5 weeks (warranty work) to see if I would like a winter check on the car, when I bought the car a couple of months ago I found that the tyres were under inflated and the screen wash was empty. No thanks was my answer.