Options for disposal of rusted Boxer

paddyinwales wrote:"Second Opinion" MOT set for Thursday 15th July at High Noon!

What was the verdict Paddy? I hope it was good news.

Good news, I hope! Our second opinion garage found only emissions and a hand-sized hole in nearside front mudguard, and say they can repair this week for low hundreds, estimate awaited!  Thanks for advice here to go for another MoT!

Will report back further.

Paddy

Great news. Fingers crossed

paddyinwales wrote:Good news, I hope! Our second opinion garage found only emissions and a hand-sized hole in nearside front mudguard, and say they can repair this week for low hundreds, estimate awaited!  Thanks for advice here to go for another MoT!

Will report back further.

Paddy

Excellent news..

Andy

Electrician sorted my electrical issues today (second visit) new horn, steeting wheel connections cleaned and realigned, new lamps across the dash and the biggest task hunting down a reason for the handbrake light to stay on, all the dash out, brake fluid indicator and pad wear indicator checked, brake light switch checked and rechecked. 

It turned out to be a spare wire incorrectly connected to the battery -ve terminal, probably in the body shop.

Bathroom refit to finish and off for an MOT, maybe not in that order but hey..

Andy

I had similar problems with my 1999 Boxer which was repaired by Martin Curzon at Curz Welding Unit 19, Anthony Way, Cillefwr Ind. Est. Johnstown, Carmarthen SA31 3RB  07812755421

paddyinwales wrote:Good news, I hope! Our second opinion garage found only emissions and a hand-sized hole in nearside front mudguard, and say they can repair this week for low hundreds, estimate awaited!  Thanks for advice here to go for another MoT!

Will report back further.

Paddy

Well, finally I got the van back, repaired and MOT'd! In the end the work cost £650 since it was a fairly major restructuring of the nearside front wheel arch. But at least she is saved to holiday in for another year, and hopefully more! I had emptied the van after it was thoroughly condemned by the first MOT garage (which had made no mention of the hole in the wheel arch!), so am now busy re-equipping ready for a trip to the south coast!

Thanks very much to all here for your helpful advice, in particular to go for a second opinion! I have no idea why the first garage gave it such a savage MOT fail, I had taken the van there for years and had no problem. The test had been first thing on a Monday, perhaps the tester had had a bad weekend! I shan't use them again, ever!

All the best

Paddy in Wales

Oh that is brilliant news Paddy. So pleased for you - and good to see you're not wasting any time getting on the road!

Very strange that two MOT garages can have such different views on the same problems. Although everyone who's looked at our Symphony has wondered how on earth it got through it's last MOT so I'm guessing there's no such thing as a 'standard'!

Enjoy your trip.

Paul

paddyinwales wrote: I have no idea why the first garage gave it such a savage MOT fail

Although it's never happened to me, I've heard people talk of garages giving camper vans (and other vehicles for that matter) terrible MOT fails in the hope that the owner will be willing to accept a really low-bid offer on it. Of course if the owner then makes it clear that they will fix it, there is no point in making the offer, but they don't know that until after they have failed it...

paddyinwales wrote:

paddyinwales wrote:Good news, I hope! Our second opinion garage found only emissions and a hand-sized hole in nearside front mudguard, and say they can repair this week for low hundreds, estimate awaited!  Thanks for advice here to go for another MoT!

Will report back further.

Paddy

Well, finally I got the van back, repaired and MOT'd! In the end the work cost £650 since it was a fairly major restructuring of the nearside front wheel arch. But at least she is saved to holiday in for another year, and hopefully more! I had emptied the van after it was thoroughly condemned by the first MOT garage (which had made no mention of the hole in the wheel arch!), so am now busy re-equipping ready for a trip to the south coast!

Thanks very much to all here for your helpful advice, in particular to go for a second opinion! I have no idea why the first garage gave it such a savage MOT fail, I had taken the van there for years and had no problem. The test had been first thing on a Monday, perhaps the tester had had a bad weekend! I shan't use them again, ever!

All the best

Paddy in Wales

Excellent news Paddy, happy camping..

I got mine MOT'd last week and used it over the weekend, just cosmetics to sort now, possibly a new floor covering and replace the back panel where I had to remove the bathroom.
Been a slog but worth persevering I think, too good to write off. Total cost so far around £3K plus my time etc.
Now to get on the road.. 

Andy

Greenfellers wrote:
Been a slog but worth persevering I think, too good to write off. Total cost so far around £3K plus my time etc.
Now to get on the road.. 

Andy

Also good news!

paddyinwales wrote:

paddyinwales wrote:Good news, I hope! Our second opinion garage found only emissions and a hand-sized hole in nearside front mudguard, and say they can repair this week for low hundreds, estimate awaited!  Thanks for advice here to go for another MoT!

Will report back further.

Paddy

Well, finally I got the van back, repaired and MOT'd! In the end the work cost £650 since it was a fairly major restructuring of the nearside front wheel arch. But at least she is saved to holiday in for another year, and hopefully more!

Thats a massive discrepancy between the original garage MOT fail of  "inner wings, chassis rails, engine mounting, rear valence, outriggers, sill" since the only item both agree on is a front wheel arch. I know you're obviously overjoyed at getting your van fixed and back on the road but that vast difference would be enough for me to question what the heck they were up to!

There is an appeals process through an Ombudsman over MOT failures but they have to be notified within 14 days of the fail.

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