Hallo all. I went for my BMW 3 series MOT today at my usual dealership, 90 minutes later they came up with a long face and a red FAIL MOT sheet explaining that my 'off side rear numberplate light was faulty'. The person at the desk explained that they tried to replace the bulb but it made no difference, they say the grip strip is corroded and suggest I change it at a cost of £211. I said I will shop around and call them with a decision. I arrive home and there is NOTHING wrong with the number plate lights. They work perfectly. I am going to be on the phone to them at 9.00 am precisely giving them an earful. What should I do? should I tell them I shall talk to trading standards and BMW UK about their shenanigans or should I just say I am on my way to them to collect my MOT certificate and leave it at that?

thanks in advance!

raise hell , do not stand for it  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

There would be no reason for them to invent an issue which is obvious to the untrained eye. If they were trying to 'scam' you then I would imagine that they would choose an item underneath (gaiter or bush) to 'scam' you with.

It sounds like you have a corroded contact strip which caused the bulb not to illuminate at the time of the test.

I would imagine that most peoples response to a light not working is to give it a thump (it is with the two elderly cars I own) as this encourages the bulb to work for a while.

Why not ask them to clean it's contacts to get it through the MOT, then it's down to you to keep an eye on it so as not to get stopped by the police????

Just a thought.

James

I just came back. Took them 1 minute to look at the car and issue the MOT pass, and another 15 to listen to me ranting. I shall write a letter to BMW UK enclosing photocopies of the failed MOT notice as well as the pass, along with their proposed invoice that says I needed the part as mine was corroded. Of course this was a load of lies as the light has been working 100% since yesterday. I shall pursue this as far as I can. No wonder they call them stealers...

Hi psyxologos. I study law at Derby University and I have learnt some pretty useful things. This i'm trained for . The following information might prove useful to throw at BMW and I have highlighted in bold the key areas:

When supplying a service in the course of a business there is an implied term that the supplier will carry out the service with reasonable care and skill, in accordance with Section 13 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982.

The consumer protection from unfair trading regulations 2008 states as follows:

Misleading actions

5.—(1) A commercial practice is a misleading action if it satisfies the conditions in either paragraph (2) or paragraph (3).

(2) A commercial practice satisfies the conditions of this paragraph—

(a) if it contains false information and is therefore untruthful in relation to any of the matters in paragraph (4) or if it or its overall presentation in any way deceives or is likely to deceive the average consumer in relation to any of the matters in that paragraph, even if the information is factually correct; and

(b) it causes or is likely to cause the average consumer to take a transactional decision he would not have taken otherwise.

(3) A commercial practice satisfies the conditions of this paragraph if—

(a) it concerns any marketing of a product (including comparative advertising) which creates confusion with any products, trade marks, trade names or other distinguishing marks of a competitor; or

(b) it concerns any failure by a trader to comply with a commitment contained in a code of conduct which the trader has undertaken to comply with, if—

(i) the trader indicates in a commercial practice that he is bound by that code of conduct, and

(ii) the commitment is firm and capable of being verified and is not aspirational,

and it causes or is likely to cause the average consumer to take a transactional decision he would not have taken otherwise, taking account of its factual context and of all its features and circumstances.

(4) The matters referred to in paragraph (2)(a) are—

(a) the existence or nature of the product;

(b) the main characteristics of the product (as defined in paragraph 5);

(c) the extent of the trader’s commitments;

(d) the motives for the commercial practice;

(e) the nature of the sales process;

(f) any statement or symbol relating to direct or indirect sponsorship or approval of the trader or the product;

(g) the price or the manner in which the price is calculated;

(h) the existence of a specific price advantage;

(i) the need for a service, part, replacement or repair;

(j) the nature, attributes and rights of the trader (as defined in paragraph 6);

(k) the consumer’s rights or the risks he may face.

(5) In paragraph (4)(b), the “main characteristics of the product” include—

(a) availability of the product;

(b) benefits of the product;

(c) risks of the product;

(d) execution of the product;

(e) composition of the product;

(f) accessories of the product;

(g) after-sale customer assistance concerning the product;

(h) the handling of complaints about the product;

(i) the method and date of manufacture of the product;

(j) the method and date of provision of the product;

(k) delivery of the product;

(l) fitness for purpose of the product;

(m) usage of the product;

(n) quantity of the product;

(o) specification of the product;

(p) geographical or commercial origin of the product;

(q) results to be expected from use of the product; and

(r) results and material features of tests or checks carried out on the product.

(6) In paragraph (4)(j), the “nature, attributes and rights” as far as concern the trader include the trader’s—

(a) identity;

(b) assets;

(c) qualifications;

(d) status;

(e) approval;

(f) affiliations or connections;

(g) ownership of industrial, commercial or intellectual property rights; and

(h) awards and distinctions.

 LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Brilliant, Thanks!

Probably done in a similar manor to how BMW were allowerd to steal Rover Group/Landrover from the Govenment/British Aerospace I have no faith in dealers at all & given the stories I get told from owners of cars I valet it is the Premium brand or so called Premium Brand dealers that are the worst  (Past) Freelander 2 HSE 2010 MY In Rimini Red.
(Past) RR Evoque Dynamic Lux Si4 In Firenze Red.
(Past) RR Evouque Pure Tech in Barollo Black with bespoke Firenze Red colour coding.
(Present) Freelander Metropolis 2015 MY In Santorini Black with Ivory Premium Leather.

Sounds to me as though you've got an intermittent electrical fault caused by a corroded contact - not quite sure how that rates as a ' scam ' !!

Many years ago i once took a car in for an mot which it then failed. They claimed it had failed on the front near side wheel bearing claiming it was noisy when the wheel was rotated.
I replaced the wheel bearing and took it back, he still tried to fail it stating the same thing and that it hadent been done. Only after threatening to get the Department of transport involved he backed down and issued a mot.

The second one was when an idiot tried to fail my car on exhaust emissions saying they where to high which was a load of bull. Firstly a sample should only be taken when the car is at normal operating temperature and the exhaust has been cleared of a build up of hydrocarbons due to the car being left running at idol for a long period of time.
I new the emmissions were correct as i have a digital gas analyser which i use.
fter telling him how to do the test properly they backed down and issued the mot, just goes to show the plonkers that are out there in all walks of life

Pedro wrote:

Sounds to me as though you've got an intermittent electrical fault caused by a corroded contact - not quite sure how that rates as a ' scam ' !!

I would agree. As posted before, I'm sure they would find something less obvious if they were wanting to scam someone such as a bush or gaitor.

James

Not sure what this thread has got to do with Freelander 2 or indeed Land Rover dealers

Perhaps a good reason not to buy a BMW! Buy a British car instead mate!

I think there would be plenty of dealers, including site sponsor, who would be rightly offended by the title of this thread.

I've had my cars MOT'd at main dealers before without a problem.

I read this thread with interest as a friend recently had his X5 failed with ..yes you've guessed.. the same thing. They too wanted to charge him for a new light fitting and argued that it was due to the reflective coating failing and all they could do was install a complete new unit.

He took it elsewhere for a second opinion and there were absolutely no issues even though he pointed it out to them.

Not wishing to tar all dealers with the same brush but times are hard and most customers just want an easy time wiith no pain. Lights seem to be the latest fad.

Serves him right for buying a Beemer!!  There's always a way forward!

2008 Freelander Td4 GS - Stornoway Grey - Now Gone - Sob
2011 Freelander Td4 GS 150 - Rimini Red - in its place - Better x far x 4!!

I got the MOT with them as I have had good service in the past in every dealing, and their prices were very competitive. I appreciate what you are saying about an intermittent fault. What I do not appreciate is them saying the whole thing needed replacing without even checking. I know they did not check, as there was a spider web on the screws that hold the grip strip to the bonnet (I know I should clean the car better in the future, that is not the point) and it was untouched. I am upset because the lied to me about corrosion. They said they SAW corrosion. Well, how could they have done so? I reckon they did not even bother to check. They took the easy route and recommended replacing the grip strip. they knew I had no choice as I failed my MOT and used this as pressure towards coercing me to buy. This is what annoys me.

As someone said, what is done is done, the car passed. I shall of course write to BMW UK, whether they decide to do anything about it is up to them.

All the best ans apologies for the rant!

P.S: I love both my BMW and my Freelander 2. different vehicles for different use...

psyxologos wrote:

I just came back. Took them 1 minute to look at the car and issue the MOT pass, and another 15 to listen to me ranting. I shall write a letter to BMW UK enclosing photocopies of the failed MOT notice as well as the pass, along with their proposed invoice that says I needed the part as mine was corroded. Of course this was a load of lies as the light has been working 100% since yesterday. I shall pursue this as far as I can. No wonder they call them stealers...

Not a good thing for a dealership to do, especially without checking it

I have edited the title to inc BMW and also moved it to off topic Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis