Well not me technically but the other half, she took her 207 in for it's MOT at Arnold Clark (only because the MOT's came with the car) on Friday and yesterday whilst I was driving it I heard a strange vibing noise so started to slow down. As I slowed down the noise got worse and sounded like a flat tyre so just as I came to a hault in the lay-by BANG the front passenger side wheel dropped off!

It's bent all the wing and part of the sill so will need a bit of work, she hasn't called them yet but what do you think the best approach would be?

 

I'm glad she wasn't driving especially at speed or it could have been nasty!

where is the car now? have you touched the front wheel at all?

 

I'd say leave it where it is and call them, speak to the manager, tell him exactly what happened and get him to tell you what they intend to so about it (in a nice way).

 

if you have moved and or touched the wheel I hope you have pictures of the incident.

 

Yes, I know, why would you lie but why should they believe you.

i dnt know they would probably deny all liability, seen as it didnt happen as you left the garage, and they will probably turn round to you and say that you are suppose to a pre journey check on the car before you drive it, tyres light bulbs etc,

i dnt know they would probably deny all liability, seen as it didnt happen as you left the garage, and they will probably turn round to you and say that you are suppose to a pre journey check on the car before you drive it, tyres light bulbs etc,

 

I don't think its fair to pre judge them unless you know they have a bad reputation.

Positive action and attitude first and if that fails then start the negative attitude..:p... lol..

I don't think its fair to pre judge them unless you know they have a bad reputation.

Positive action and attitude first and if that fails then start the negative attitude..:p... lol..

 

^^^ Agreed. There is no reason to suggest that they will fob you off straight away. Definately phone up and speak to someone in charge. Take photo's too. Was anyone in the car with you at the time?

 

Strange how the wheel fell off as for an MOT they woulnt need to remove it in the first place although you never know what they are doing with your car these days.

I don't think its fair to pre judge them unless you know they have a bad reputation.

Positive action and attitude first and if that fails then start the negative attitude..:p... lol..

 

true, i had a bmw 328 was my pride and joy the mot had expired so i had the garage pick the car up whilst i was at work, unknow to me at the time when they driving it onto the trailer they managed to tear off my bumper, they bodged it up at the garage couple of days later i discovered what they had done, approached them in a (polite positive way), there reply " what did you expect? its lower than its factory height" well i didnt expect you to rip my car apart then bodge it together :scared: but yea positive first :lol:

As said - the wheels should not be removed for an MOT test.

 

Was any repair work carried out at the time?

 

Have the wheels been off at any other time recently - servicing, brakes, new tyres etc?

As said - the wheels should not be removed for an MOT test.

 

Was any repair work carried out at the time?

 

Have the wheels been off at any other time recently - servicing, brakes, new tyres etc?

 

However they should be checked during an MOT.........

However they should be checked during an MOT.........

 

Wheel nuts are only checked for presence

Wheel nuts are only checked for presence

 

And if there are covers over the wheel nuts then you may not even be able to inspect them! They should show up if loose at the time of test when you shake them however.

I think we're getting away from the point.... whether they should or shouldn't check the nuts .... are they responsible for them being loose is of importance.

 

they should check the bearings and bushes that usually requires movement of the wheels either mechanically or by hand, if the nuts where loose then they could have detected it (notice I didn't say should have) they are checking the car for road safety so king of a point less test if you can't pick something like that up.

 

some mechanics take wheels off to check the brakes.... not saying they did just pointing it out.. we can't assume anything because it is or isn't part of a test.

 

somehow the nuts got loose.. (they don't get loose on their own if done up right).. as was asked earlier had any work been done on the wheel before by someone else.

Could the mrs of undone the wheel nuts? Knowing that you were going to drive it the nxt day? Just a thought :lol:

Thanks for all the input guys! It had the front tyres changed last week at National Tyres by a guy I know and I watched him torque them up. When we went down to get the car from it's MOT the "mechanics" were all running around chasing each other messing around, which didn't give me the best of impressions.

The car had an advisory for scored brake discs so they may have had the wheel off to check both surfaces?

 

*Edit*

 

The car also had a service at the same time during which they managed to break the engine cover and didn't properly replace the air box pipe.

Edited July 31, 201114 yr by PerpetualZero
Add info

she hasn't called them yet but what do you think the best approach would be?

 

Pay the service desk a visit. DON'T tell them about the accident straight away. Tell them that your car was in for MOT and ask them what that would involve with regards to any pre-test inspections, adjustments, or anything else.

 

It is common for dealers to have an apprentice look round the car before the actual test, looking for billable faults to turn a bit of coin. This may or may not involve removing wheels to check brakes.

 

If they have done anything, ask for a copy of the job card "for your records".

 

Also, you need to clarify the following;

 

1/ What was the actual job booked in? (i.e. MOT test, Pre-MOT inspection & Test etc.)

 

2/ What was actually carried out, if different from #1?

 

Play daft. Make them think you are just being overly anal about the maintenance records - you want as much info (evidence?) as possible about what they have done before you reveal your true agenda.

 

Once you have as much as you can get, ask to speak with the service manager, and politely explain your situation.

 

Don't go on the attack. Just be firm.

 

I'm betting they won't admit liability, but they will offer to fix it "as a sign of goodwill", which will be an attempt to keep their nose clean.

 

It won't actually cost them anything, as it will be covered by their insurance, and it will save on any bad publicity.

 

Just make sure you get a courtesy car out of them.

 

If they don't, then it is on you to prove it was their fault. You are very likely to win, especially if you can prove they had the wheels off.

 

It would be difficult to prove the tester at fault.

As stated in prior posts, checking wheel nut tightness is not part of the test. If they were off before the test for a check, and only ran up, then it is highly likely that there was no play at the time of test, which is all that matters in the eyes of VOSA and the law. It would be easier to demonstrate bad workmanship if there was a record of them carrying out work that involved removing the wheel.

 

If there is no records, and they deny they were in there and don't want to fix it, then you would probably loose any claim, then it is down to you to claim on your own insurance.

The car also had a service at the same time during which they managed to break the engine cover and didn't properly replace the air box pipe.

 

That changes things entirely. Tell them that you are considering reporting them to (insert whatever trade associations they are members of here) as well as trading standards etc.

 

Tell them you want repair of all faults and damage, courtesy car, loss of any wages etc, and at the very least, a refund on the cost of service.

 

 

I missed your update while I was typing my reply!

exactly... so as long as the only way to see that the disks are scored is to take the wheels off you have a case ... :)

Thanks a lot guys I had a look at this http://www.arnoldclark.com/servicing/complete-aftercare/service.html and it seems the service includes a load of checks to the brakes etc. so I'm guessing they would have had the wheels off!

 

 

Can't believe they would do that to a car being driven by a 20 year old female who wouldn't have heard the noise it started to give off before the wheel let go :@ I'm just glad I was driving and not her or it could have been a different story!

That's shocking mate! Doesn't that garage have any sort of quality control?

Can't believe they would do that to a car being driven by a 20 year old female

 

Can't believe they would do it to anyone!

 

Although to be honest, AC has always had a bit of a gash rep in the trade. They are only just a step up from Kwik Fit in terms of being a career choice for most decent mechs. They keep their costs down by hiring loads of YT type apprentices, give them sod all training and leave them too it. Huge volume through the shop doesn't help either.

 

Hope you get it sorted.

Well Arnold Clark admitted to having the wheels off and brought a courtesy car up and took my girlfriends car away to hopefully be sorted :) I shall keep you posted on what they do this time! lol

As said - the wheels should not be removed for an MOT test.

 

Was any repair work carried out at the time?

 

Have the wheels been off at any other time recently - servicing, brakes, new tyres etc?

 

Exactly my thoughts too....

 

.....but if the garage did remove the wheels during the MOT they could be held responsible IMO.

 

Good luck mate - and fortunately you're other half was not driving the car at the time:scared:

 

Richard

Edited August 2, 201114 yr by RichardS