Hi guys.

How have you been?
 

My MOT  has failed with these notes :
 

• Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))
• Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))
• Nearside Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn inner bush spliting (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn inner bush spliting (5.3.4 (a) (i)

 

I have been quoted £400 for the repair.

I understand the first two seems related to the yellowing on the headlamp plastic and I can fix it myself.  How much should the repair for the other two suspension bits be ?

Have you upgraded to xenon or LED bulbs?  The lenses would have to be really cloudy to alter the beam image.

Suspension faults are just the rear bushes on the front wishbones.  You can either choose to replace the whole wishbone or just replace the bushes.  Old bushes would need pressing off and new ones pressing on which makes it difficult for DIY, so most of us just change the whole wishbone complete.

You can buy a pair of decent branded wishbones for under £150.  Fitting should only take about half an hour each side. 

Just now, TomsFocus said:

Have you upgraded to xenon or LED bulbs?  The lenses would have to be really cloudy to alter the beam image.

Suspension faults are just the rear bushes on the front wishbones.  You can either choose to replace the whole wishbone or just replace the bushes.  Old bushes would need pressing off and new ones pressing on which makes it difficult for DIY, so most of us just change the whole wishbone complete.

You can buy a pair of decent branded wishbones for under £150.  Fitting should only take about half an hour each side. 

No, definitely not XEON or LED bulbs. I just got the bog standard tenner bulbs from Halfords. I replaced them last year. The same problem was picked up with the headlamps last year as well and the garage told me the angle was off ( obviously as I had replaced them myself ) and they fixed them.

15 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

You can buy a pair of decent branded wishbones for under £150.  Fitting should only take about half an hour each side. 

I have now been quoted £360 for replacement of the wishbones!

4 minutes ago, OilSheikh said:

I have now been quoted £360 for replacement of the wishbones!

By the place that failed you on the MOT ???????

Shop around and if you have driveway try some mobile mechs.

2 hours ago, Jimpster said:

By the place that failed you on the MOT ???????

Shop around and if you have driveway try some mobile mechs.

Yes, by the same place. I will ask around tomorrow. Thanks.

Apologies for the late response. I have been away on holiday.

I took the car to a different garage and this is the work that they have done. It seems the headlamp holder was broken. I am not sure how. I have not touched the headlamp since last year's MOT.

Parts ( excl VAT ) :
Front wishbones x 2 - £90
N/S Headlamp x 1 - £135

Labour ( excl VAT )

Remove and replace both front wishbones - £170
Refit headlamp bulb - £21.25
Replace N/S headlamp and align £63.75

 

Total incl VAT £576

 

You could have bought a used headlight unit from a breakers for a lot cheaper.

They are easy to install. The beam adjustment is done by winding a plastic Allen key screw.

£21.15 labour for changing the bulb also seems excessive.

 

On 12/18/2023 at 7:38 PM, AntonovAN12 said:

You could have bought a used headlight unit from a breakers for a lot cheaper.

They are easy to install. The beam adjustment is done by winding a plastic Allen key screw.

£21.15 labour for changing the bulb also seems excessive.

 

Thanks.
Yes, I thought that too. £21.15 ?! I dread going to garages. All of them are crooks. Not a single one of them is decent despite being members of Good garage scheme or whatever.

16 minutes ago, OilSheikh said:

Thanks.
Yes, I thought that too. £21.15 ?! I dread going to garages. All of them are crooks. Not a single one of them is decent despite being members of Good garage scheme or whatever.

You should try and cultivate a relationship with a competent local garage. I've been going to 'my guy' for over 15 years. He'd never charge me for changing a bulb, and has done loads of small complimentary jobs for me over the years. Is also reliable for fairly hefty jobs, and keeps my almost 20 year old car on the road. They're not 'all' crooks, but good ones are challenging to seek out. Try and go on personal recommendation, and bear in mind, they have to make a living too...

In hindsight, I should have asked the original garage to do all the repairs for £400!

The second garage quoted £300 but after repairs, they asked for £576 as they came across an issue that they were not aware of. 🤪