dollwithabuyn Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Hi all We've just got back from Halfords and are in shock. Our beloved Starlet failed its MOT on emissions and we have been told it needs a new engine! The car is perfect in every way, drives like a dream and yet we're now facing the prospect of having to sell her as an engine will cost upwards of 500 quid Any advice? Has anyone else had similar or is this a normal thing for Starlets? Cheers in advance Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Well that's Halfords for you, I've had nothing but false information from them, especially when it comes to my GT and emissions. What exactly did they say? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dollwithabuyn Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 Basically that it failed on high emissions in all 3 categories and that it isn't the sensor or cat at fault but the engine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TrisK Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Can you give us some more information. Is it just a UK spec non turbo starlet Do you know what emissions readings were? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dollwithabuyn Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 It's an s reg solida factory spec, so fairly basic The emissions sheet says carbon monoxide excessive/hydrocarbon excessive and lambda outside limit Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 It should be accompanied with a reading of the gases as well. A percentage indicating how high it was. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dollwithabuyn Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 Nope, just a receipt for the mot and the refusal note. No percentages anywhere on it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 You would have been given the piece of paper from the MOT station describing the results Something similar to one of those. Proving to you, and us, that the car failed on emissions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dollwithabuyn Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 Nothing like that was given to us, we have one from the previous year like that but not today Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Brilliant, so you have no way to actually verify what they said is actually true. I refer you to my first statement where I said halfords are useless!!! Don't go to halfords, they're shit and probably, probably, told you a load of rubbish. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dollwithabuyn Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 I'm starting to think they are full of bs, the engine runs fine. The car doesn't struggle or misfire and there is no smoke or anything when you rev the engine. It had a whole new exhaust a few months ago so we really weren't expecting this news. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Yep, first thing I would do would be to go back and ask for that print out. They should have given that to you as proof that the engine has failed the emissions. If they don't give it you then I'd demand a retest or a refund. Personally would not use halfords, wouldn't trust the monkeys to sell me a bike, let alone fix my car... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shyam Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 (edited) Agree with Calum, never use Halfords for MOT or even any general repair mate. These cunts are having you over by the sounds of it. And who told you you need a new engine? They need to be fucking shot.. I've found Redex helps clean system/reduce carbon reading before an MOT/Emission test, just make sure you take it for a good blast with the Redex in it before dropping it off for testing. How many days has your MOT been expired? You can still have it retested elsewere, have you got a the list of things it failed on? If it's small jobs, I'd say get a small tool kit and couple axle stands/jack and have a go at it yourself.. loads of people here/on Facebook happy to help you with it. And then take it to a local garage that don't look like cowboys to get it retested. Plea your case and tell them how Halfords tested your car and said it needs a new engine because the emissions are too high, they will have a right laugh and pass it without too much effort. Edited March 29, 2018 by Shyam Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dollwithabuyn Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 Thanks, the mot is OK til mid April, we took it early because we wanted time to sort out anything that arose. I've been doing some research and had seen the Redex fix I've also found a mechanic through a mate so I'm taking it to him after the Bank holidays. I'll update when I have more - thank you to all that responded, it's great to know community is still a thing! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
akyakapotter Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 You do realise now it's failed it no longer has a valid mot.? Cheers nick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ollieh17 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 8 minutes ago, akyakapotter said: You do realise now it's failed it no longer has a valid mot.? Cheers nick. Was pretty sure this wasn't true, gov website confirms Driving a vehicle that’s failed You can take your vehicle away if your MOT certificate is still valid Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 1 minute ago, Ollieh17 said: Was pretty sure this wasn't true, gov website confirms Driving a vehicle that’s failed You can take your vehicle away if your MOT certificate is still valid Lol. I wasn't sure, but that's pretty shady if you ask me. It could have failed because it's really bad, but so long as it was alright 12 months ago then you're legit. Pretty funny but if that's what they say thanks for clearing it up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dollwithabuyn Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 I had a heart attack then! Had to double check that we were legal still Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ollieh17 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 11 minutes ago, Calum122 said: Lol. I wasn't sure, but that's pretty shady if you ask me. It could have failed because it's really bad, but so long as it was alright 12 months ago then you're legit. Pretty funny but if that's what they say thanks for clearing it up. Well no, theres a difference between having a MOT and a car being road legal! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Well this is it isn't it. Is the car road legal or not? What makes a car road legal, MOT, Tax and insurance? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
akyakapotter Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Your not legal as it has failed a new mot only time it's allowed to move is if it's pree booked for an mot and still the police can still fine you if they wish give me 10 mins I'll ask my mate who has just gained his mot licence. Cheers nick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ollieh17 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 3 minutes ago, akyakapotter said: Your not legal as it has failed a new mot only time it's allowed to move is if it's pree booked for an mot and still the police can still fine you if they wish give me 10 mins I'll ask my mate who has just gained his mot licence. Cheers nick Mate thats off the GOV website Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ollieh17 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 4 minutes ago, Calum122 said: Well this is it isn't it. Is the car road legal or not? What makes a car road legal, MOT, Tax and insurance? Emissions isnt something that is likely to be tested at the side of the road really so be hard to prove its not road legal. If it had bald tyres. suspension arms hanging off etc that is a different story Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calum122 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 But, lets say the car is that bad it needs a rebuild, that should be blindingly obvious right? Smoking its tits off and what not. Surely that would be justifiable to pull over. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
akyakapotter Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Just spoken to my mate is reply is as follows. (Still has mot but if failed on dangorous shit then they can contact police.) Imo i wouldn't chance driving it until the issues are sorted and it has a valid mot again. I'd be inclined to phone vosa direct and ask them. Cheers nick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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