your opinion,on diy

Not got a problem. When I've tested my own (or family) if anything I'm stricter. Shouldn't be really but it's that "in case" niggle in the back of my mind.

Saying that, I tested a family 51 plate Mondeo a month ago and 140-odd miles later the rear wheel bearing collapsed. There was no play, no roughness at the time of test. I was driving it when at no more than 30 mph went over a small pothole in the snow. Something didn't sound right and when we changed it a few miles later the bearing was almost totally seized.


Edited to add...

If Europe get their way we'll be banned from doing any tests on our own, our families, our friends, our work colleagues, etc. It'll be ok for Billy-no-mates but not so good for the rest of us.

That is precisely one of my arguments against this drivewasher. It defeats the object of building up a relationship with any customer. At what point does a customer relationship develop into a friendship? How would that be measured? Both the DfT and VOSA are aware of my views through the consultation process and the VTS councils. That's one of the reasons that we try to bring you links to any consultation (this one was late August) that you should have a view in.

I sincerely hope that this is a non-starter.

I've been in the trade 30odd years and I have loads of "mates" who pop up once a year at MOT time, usually MOT and Service. Prevvious employer was tyres and MOTs only, so I used to do the service as a PJ and run it in for MOT and tyres if needed. I'm talking about 80-100 tests a year. New employer is strictly "NO PJs". So, mate rings me at home for a MOT+service, I go straight on the company website and book it in. Customer gets full company service, and free collect and delivery by me. Most of them are walking distance from me at home, so I get to work without burning my own petrol.
If I can't test these cars because they belong to friends my employers are gonna lose a lot of income.

And we have some "regulars", Customers with a couple of cars, plus their teenage kids cars, so we're looking at maybe eight visits a year for routine servicing, and maybe another six or eight for unplanned repair. These guys might wander in one afternoon and say " Hi Ian, any chance you can get Mez to have a look at Mary's Focus, the Engine management light has just come on"
SO? if Mr Vosa was standing in reception would he construe that as a friendship? or is it just a smooth business transaction, and how friendly will be allowed if this new discussion document is to become law?

Same for me, I test at least 2 cars a week for friends, family etc and my own, I have the same attitude as any test i carry out, I was told when you mot you have no friends, even test cars that have had a fhey are okull service prior to test carried out by me, and still go through whole test routine even though most items have already been checked during servicing, and i know t

You obviously do favours for friends with a statement like that @daveg.....and you admitted it!!

I am glad you understood what I meant David

i have 2 cars and always test them, i have 1 that always passes as it only does about 2000 miles a year and it has 28000 on the clock which is pretty low as its a 1994 but my other car i dont look after the same and have had it fail with me before

Oh its a 1994 fd r7, let me see if i can post a pic