Just failed mot :(

[mumbles]

Just taken my car in today for its test and unfortunately failed.
1st was the rear tyre has a chunk missing on the sidewall.
2nd Was nearside lower trailing arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.g.2)

Doesn't look too bad really. Obviously the tyres easy to replace and I'll get that this week.
But how hard is it to fit the trailing arm???
The garage has quoted £200+ to do the job.
Could this also be the cause of my front end vibration???

[HEKTOR]

Is it £200 for the part & labour?

Yes something like that could cause vibrations.

[mumbles]

Yeah parts and labour is included.

Hopefully this will cure the vibrations.
Can't make it worse tho

[HEKTOR]

I hope so mate. Get the garage to check all the bushes and ball joints on the front. With the age of these cars they usually have knackered bushes etc

[mumbles]

Yeah I will do that and hopefully get them done asap.
But this has come at a bad time
Just paid for my holiday for next month, taxed mrs's car last week, mines due this month etc.
Is the price of £200 about right???

[HEKTOR]

It always seems to happen when you are short of cash.

If that £200 includes VAT then thats not to bad as for one genuine arm its north of £100. Make sure they fit genuine arms though!

[mumbles]

They never said if genuine. I will however check that out.
Thanx for your input

[HEKTOR]

If not genuine then meyle/febi will be ok, but cheap stuff is pointless as it will be shot in no time.

No worries mate, anytime.