Garages- trusting them with our pride and joy

[maxxximus]

Was reading about someones bad experience of an MOT testing station on another forum. They had their high performance motor ragged by a young grease monkey(and his mates) when the manager had his back turned. Far too common by all accounts - main dealers and back street garages both as bad it seems.

Mines gotta go to a bodyshop for stone chips etc - at least a 3 day job . Whats peoples advice to avoid this kinda thing. I dont have a chip with valet mode so thats out. Apart from taking note of mileage and ensure the manager agrees the car be not driven on open road im not sure what i can do.

[rolskii]

Disconnect your MAF.....
put in some shot DV's.....
put a space save wheel (1 or 2) on would be really effective, with locking nuts ......

[BRETTCOLLINS]

Tell the garage that the car has a monitoring tracker system. if the car moves out of the workshop you will know about it. mate of mine has this kit on he's car. told the tracking company that the car was in the garage having paint work for 1 week and to inform him it the car moves. 3 days later he is called to ask if he is driving the car.
After A little chat with the garage owner, paint work was free.......

[ZeroK66]

Interesting... tracker has alternative uses then

[derdle]

Might have got the paintwork for free..but what would have happened if the pleb had trashed the car?

Is there anything within vagcom that could be used effectively?

Paul

[mrwang]

Disconnect your N75 valve. Even if they spot it and reconnect it they'll have to disconnect battery to reset it. Doubt they'll know about that. I did that with the Mrs's TT, made it like driving a milk float.

Ben

[harry]

Aaaah N75 valve you say? Explain please Ben.

[rolskii]

Ben is that so - if you change your N75 you got to reset by full power down ..?
I have changed mine(N75) at weekend and didnt disconnect the battery, it runs fine ...

cheers
David

[mrwang]

AAh may be this only happens when you replace it with a new one. Sorry guys my fault. Will still stop turbos blowing at full power though.

Ben

[rolskii]

Exactly ... I got your point... a very valid one ... was just curioooos ..... nice one

[Greg_S]

I always disconnect the N75 valve on my S2 coupe, limits it to 1bar boost then and not as quick. Can also try orchid track like was mentioned which also monitors the speed the car travels etc

[lellaS4]

I stand in the engine bay whilst the MOT is being done, if they want to go for a road test it is with me in the passenger seat, otherwise they dont get paid.

[geoffone]

Tell the garage that the car has a monitoring tracker system. if the car moves out of the workshop you will know about it. mate of mine has this kit on he's car. told the tracking company that the car was in the garage having paint work for 1 week and to inform him it the car moves. 3 days later he is called to ask if he is driving the car.
After A little chat with the garage owner, paint work was free.......

Great idea! I bet the look on the managers face was classic...

[david7m]

Prevention is better than cure, its too late when your car is trashed

Dave

[BRETTCOLLINS]

It was YES, Gave him time and location of where car went.