Dilemma - R reg 940 MOT failure - advice please..

[TonyS9]

£1700 for repairs and £250 for an ABS sensor means "its an old car I don't want to work on it, nevermind trying to find the right parts"

To be fair a front ABS sensor is straight forward but can be a PITA, as it pretty stuck in usually. If I were near you I'd happily help if it was the only problem.

I certainly would never spend that amount on a 940 unless it was a full repaint or something, but I do my own work, parts are cheap.

Standard mechanics are never going to be a good option, you need to find a specialist that knows what they are doing, sometimes that can be an enthusiast that does paid work.

For you clean air zone I checked the website and under FAQs it says
"What about petrol cars, are they banned?
Petrol cars are not affected. The Diesel Ban Zone is for private diesel vehicles only."

https://www.cleanairforbristol.org/

If the body is in good condition and no structural rust they are usually worth fixing and usually easy to do if you know what you are doing. If not for £1950 you should be able to pick up a clean example.

[Forrest]

As others have said the ABS sensor is a fairly easy DIY fix and certainly shouldn’t cost £250 at a garage. A complete brake refurb can cost a few hundred, particularly if you use genuine parts. I had the front pads and discs done on one of mine using pattern parts for around £200 at a general garage near where I work. OK I know I shouldn’t have let it get into the state where it wore through to the rivets on the way into work in the first place!

The most expensive MOT fix in my experience is leaking rear Nivomat shock absorbers. This is a £600 bullet you just have to bite or opt for changing to standard shocks and springs which is cheaper but many people find unsatisfactory.

Other than serious rust, I cannot think of anything else that could rack up the rest of that bill.

[aardvarkash10]

Brakes inc disks is common
Shocks is common
Suspension bushes is common
Headlights - reflectors u/s is pretty common
Possible emissions - common
Potential rust - common
Tyres - common

etc

It is actually not difficult ot get stratospheric in costs on a 25 year old car. Any garage will allow a serious margin on this work because of unknowns. A seized ABS sensor alone can lead to significant additoinal labour.

The 740/940 series is now at that point of marginal returns. For many owners not able or willing to do their own work the equation doesn't balance.

For a trading garage, the choice when quoting is to climb into something light and then keep having to adjust for the unforseeables, or quote hard and honest up front and have some space to wind back. Also making the choice between easy money putting oil and wiper blades on something recent, or hard work - this is entirely understandable, not lazy and just good business practise.

Without seeing the MOT its impossible to know if the quote is ballpark right, excessive, or even light.

[Sally Cavanagh]

Originally Posted by tofufi

The Bristol proposals are for:

A diesel ban from a small area in the middle of town
A clean air zone in a larger area. The clean air zone only applies to commercial vehicles.

Neither will apply to a petrol 940.

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/e...ce%20by%202028.

If the mechanics are that unaware of the proposals, and are that keen for you to get rid, I'd try another garage. Which garage are you using now? I could recommend a couple in Bristol

Post up the MOT fail, but £1700 is a hell of a bill!

I'll post the list of MOT fails/advisories in a moment as a few people have asked in the thread. The main one is a complete new exhaust...

Ironically, it was my mechanics that made me aware of the proposals! We live right on the boundary of the larger Clean Air Zone.

One said that Bristol CC is also planning to go further in 2022-23 by creating an Ultra Low Emission Zone - as they have done in London and this would mean that petrol cars would need to meet Euro 4 standard.

So we then started to think that it would be better to cut our losses and just get another petrol car which meets the Euro 4, as it seemed pointless to spend £1,700 now and then have to replace the car in a couple of years. And that's assuming that the Aubergine won't cost a huge amount to get through the MOT next year...

I'm not sure now whether a ULEZ will come to fruition in Bristol.... hence the rethink.

Please PM me with the names of the other garages you could recommend. Many thanks.

[Sally Cavanagh]

Originally Posted by aardvarkash10

Brakes inc disks is common
Shocks is common
Suspension bushes is common
Headlights - reflectors u/s is pretty common
Possible emissions - common
Potential rust - common
Tyres - common

etc

It is actually not difficult ot get stratospheric in costs on a 25 year old car. Any garage will allow a serious margin on this work because of unknowns. A seized ABS sensor alone can lead to significant additoinal labour.

The 740/940 series is now at that point of marginal returns. For many owners not able or willing to do their own work the equation doesn't balance.

For a trading garage, the choice when quoting is to climb into something light and then keep having to adjust for the unforseeables, or quote hard and honest up front and have some space to wind back. Also making the choice between easy money putting oil and wiper blades on something recent, or hard work - this is entirely understandable, not lazy and just good business practise.

Without seeing the MOT its impossible to know if the quote is ballpark right, excessive, or even light.

MOT failures and advisories below - big ticket item is a complete new exhaust - my garage quoted £400-500 for this. The ABS sensor which has gone is the O/S/F ABS Pick Up sensor - the Volvo specialist garage - where I had to take it to get it diagnosed (at a cost of £60), is quoting sensor£133.50 +VAT and labour £119 + VAT.

MOT fails/advisories as follows:

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
Repair immediately (major defects):
Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))
Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn Both (1.1.14 (a) (i))
Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):
Windscreen wiper blade defective Both (3.4 (b) (i))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Nearside Front Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))


Prior to us buying it the car had lived for most of it's live in Cornwall - the body work isn't bad for rust at all - apart from a very small patch on the boot door and a tiny bit one of the passenger doors.... I'm guessing that the underneath might be an issue soon - having been driven around in a coastal area for many years...

Would it be possible to get the ABS sensor sorted out for less than £279 (including the VAT)?

Stacking the lot up - would you reckon that £1700 is reasonable for repair, labour and new MOT - (this includes sensor repair cost quoted)?

[loki_the_glt]

Originally Posted by Sally Cavanagh

MOT failures and advisories below - big ticket item is a complete new exhaust - my garage quoted £400-500 for this. The ABS sensor which has gone is the O/S/F ABS Pick Up sensor - the Volvo specialist garage - where I had to take it to get it diagnosed (at a cost of £60), is quoting sensor£133.50 +VAT and labour £119 + VAT.

MOT fails/advisories as follows:

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
Repair immediately (major defects):
Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))
Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn Both (1.1.14 (a) (i))
Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):
Windscreen wiper blade defective Both (3.4 (b) (i))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Nearside Front Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))


Prior to us buying it the car had lived for most of it's live in Cornwall - the body work isn't bad for rust at all - apart from a very small patch on the boot door and a tiny bit one of the passenger doors.... I'm guessing that the underneath might be an issue soon - having been driven around in a coastal area for many years...

Would it be possible to get the ABS sensor sorted out for less than £279 (including the VAT)?

Stacking the lot up - would you reckon that £1700 is reasonable for repair, labour and new MOT - (this includes sensor repair cost quoted)?

As noted earlier, an ABS sensor will cost around £20 and perhaps an hour's labour to fit; new discs and pads from Partsforvolvo will cost between £150 and £250 all told, depending on which set-up your car has and whether you want OEM or aftermarket. The front caliper piston may just need freeing off; the ABS warning will probably clear with a new sensor; the handbrake probably needs adjusting, though new shoes and cables will cost about £55 from PFV.
That would run to £220 - £320 for parts, depending on which brake set-up bits you need/want and they may be cheaper from a Volvo dealer or a local motor factor.

I do a fault code reader (shameless plug) that also displays the ignition and fuel system codes, the 940 having a not-quite OBD I socket that is unintelligible to conventional OBD code readers, but I'm not suggesting that it's a "must-have" item, only that they are available.

Exhaust system: https://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/c...Exhaust-System for under £250 supply-only.

[Noddy299]

£204.75 for front and rear pads and discs plus the ABS sensor and the ball joint on eurocarparts just now with the code HEAT50

Full exhaust system fitted £500 is about right I would say.

£1700 seems very rich really.

[volvo always]

Originally Posted by loki_the_glt

As noted earlier, an ABS sensor will cost around £20 and perhaps an hour's labour to fit; new discs and pads from Partsforvolvo will cost between £150 and £250 all told, depending on which set-up your car has and whether you want OEM or aftermarket. The front caliper piston may just need freeing off; the ABS warning will probably clear with a new sensor; the handbrake probably needs adjusting, though new shoes and cables will cost about £55 from PFV.
That would run to £220 - £320 for parts, depending on which brake set-up bits you need/want and they may be cheaper from a Volvo dealer or a local motor factor.

I do a fault code reader (shameless plug) that also displays the ignition and fuel system codes, the 940 having a not-quite OBD I socket that is unintelligible to conventional OBD code readers, but I'm not suggesting that it's a "must-have" item, only that they are available.

Exhaust system: https://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/c...Exhaust-System for under £250 supply-only.

Agree, nothing major. Even cheaper if you go and buy from euro car parts when there is an offer on! Exhaust try FRF or ebay. Mine was at the time £230 inc downpipe, cat, mid box, over axle pipe, back box and tailpipe plus inc fixing kit. Make was either BM or Euroflow. Fitting was a pain as turbo bolts snapped even with heat. Fitting cost £150.00 and re tap the threads on 2 bolts only, otherwise turbo off job.

At least you know the car. If you do decide to get the work done, shop around for prices. Check underneath and see what it's like for rust. Presume as not mentioned, must be ok at the moment.

James.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Sally Cavanagh

MOT failures and advisories below - big ticket item is a complete new exhaust - my garage quoted £400-500 for this. The ABS sensor which has gone is the O/S/F ABS Pick Up sensor - the Volvo specialist garage - where I had to take it to get it diagnosed (at a cost of £60), is quoting sensor£133.50 +VAT and labour £119 + VAT.

MOT fails/advisories as follows:

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
Repair immediately (major defects):
Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))
Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn Both (1.1.14 (a) (i))
Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):
Windscreen wiper blade defective Both (3.4 (b) (i))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Nearside Front Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))


Prior to us buying it the car had lived for most of it's live in Cornwall - the body work isn't bad for rust at all - apart from a very small patch on the boot door and a tiny bit one of the passenger doors.... I'm guessing that the underneath might be an issue soon - having been driven around in a coastal area for many years...

Would it be possible to get the ABS sensor sorted out for less than £279 (including the VAT)?

Stacking the lot up - would you reckon that £1700 is reasonable for repair, labour and new MOT - (this includes sensor repair cost quoted)?

Wow! How on earth do they justify that kind of price???

ABS sensor - £20, fit it yourself :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-Senso...1/263202894244

Then pull fuse #1 to clear the fault codes. Refit after 30 seconds or more.

Wiper blades - £4, again fit them yourself :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-17-In...r/333377803918

Front discs and pads - difficult to put a price on because Volvo fitted a variety of disc diameters/thicknesses but guide price £50-80. If you can fit them yourself and give the front calipers a service as you do it, so much the better.

Check/adjust handbrake - probably just labour, cleaning, greasing cables etc.

Sidelight bulb - pennies!

Rear pads - fairly common on most of them, about a tenner for a set from your friendly local motor factor (NOT Halfrauds!) and from the sound of things, it could probably do with a brake fluid refresh, say a tenner for the fluid, probably less.

Now the exhaust system. First question is, does it really need a complete new system? Many garages will tell you this when it's only one section that could probably be repaired with a pair of Jubilee clips and a dog food tin (and pass the MoT) or for a more "professional" look, a service sleeve from your local factor for about £7 give or take.

I really think you need to find someone who either specialises in Volvos or find a friendly local enthusiast that knows what they're doing.

There is one that comes to mind but i can't offer their services as it's up to them to offer.

With the exception of the ABS sensor and the exhaust, it could probably be done comfortably in an afternoon, if the exhaust goes well a couple of hours tops and if the ABS sensor goes well, about half-hour.
As many of us will know, if those last two go badly, it could be the same quantity of time but measured in days instead of hours!

If it does need a complete system you can pick one up from the likes of Euro Car Parts for a lot less or have a stainless system made and fitted for what you've been quoted, give or take a bit. If as i suspect it's just one box/section at fault, anything from a minor repair to a repalcement section.

Even after paying for the parts and "a donation" to someone local who is interested in helping you and preserving another Volvo on the road, you'll still have a lot of change out of £1700 - if you can do the work yourself you'll save even more!

[aardvarkash10]

you guys really have lost track of the economics of running an auto workshop.

Parts are marked up to cover the cost of sourcing, purchasing and guaranteeing them. Typically 50 to 75%. The fact you can get it from FCP or other suppliers at a particular price doesn't mean that's what a workshop has to sell it for to stay in business.

If I were quoting on that MOT I'd allow a full brake rebuild including potential master cylinder (the bleeding often causes travel into the old "dead zone" cutting the cups). So thats pads all round, handbrake kit, disc at the front, possibly at the rear, disc machining at a minimum for the rear. Possible new slider pins.

Ball joints

ABS sensor including cost of new lump hammer and gallons of spray anti-seize!

Not sure if the oil leak is included in the quote, but that could be anything from front to rear seals, or just a breather blocked. Hard to know.

I'm not sure what hourly rates are in the UK, but typically they are 3X the technician pay rate as a rough guide. I see about 6 hours, possibly a bit more in that lot. And of course VAT.

1700 quid all up including exhaust is at the upper end but not excessive imo. YMMV.