MOT (katsastus)

[tjawatts]

OK I have to get the Finnish version of the MOT done on the car. It seems that the places that do the katsastus do only that, i.e. if something is wrong you have to take it to a garage and get it fixed, then take it back and I assume pay for the test again. Is this correct? Or do some places do it all for you.

In the UK most MOT places will check it, tell you what is wrong, fix it for you (if you agree) and then pass it (no double charging).

Is this another case of a cartel in the Finnish economy or is there a logical explanation for it

thanks

Tony

[Sara]

We had the MOT done on our car last week.

Sami did take it to a different place from our normal garage, and I did get the impression that was all they did.

Ill ask him about it.

[gavin]

I usually get the car serviced and cleaned before the Katsastus, and never had any problems.

Try: http://www.ake.fi/index_e.asp where I found the text below...

Cheers
Gavin

Vehicle rejection, follow-up inspection and prohibition of use

Vehicles rejected in the annual inspection must be given a follow-up inspection within one month of the initial inspection. The follow-up inspection must be made at the same inspection station where the annual inspection was performed. If the vehicle is brought to another inspection station for the follow-up inspection, or the follow-up inspection period is no longer valid, the vehicle must undergo the entire inspection again.
Vehicles may not be operated if they have not been brought in for inspection during the specified inspection period, or if they have been prohibited from use. If the vehicle is rejected in the annual inspection of the specified inspection period, its operation is permitted within two months of the annual inspection, at the very latest. Any faults or discrepancies found during the inspection must, in any case, be rectified as soon as possible.

If the vehicle is rejected in the annual inspection performed after the conclusion of the two-month inspection period, its operation is permitted for two months after the conclusion of the specified inspection period, at the latest. In other words, if the end of the inspection period is 15 May and the vehicle is brought in for inspection between 16 May-14 July but rejected, the vehicle may be operated until 15 July, at the latest. Faults and discrepancies found during the inspection must, in any case, be rectified as soon as possible.

Over two months after rejection of the vehicle at the conclusion of the specified inspection period does not entitle operation of the vehicle.

[Sara]

Ok, Sami said........


Some private MOT shops may also offer repair services, as well
as some garages can offer to take the car to MOT or even do it
themselves if licensed as part of service. For example, Bilia the Volvo /
Renault dealership in the capital area offers MOT service as well. As
the "brand dealership" they may not be the cheapest though. (http://www.bilia.fi).
I'm sure same applies to all big dealerships, like the Nissan shop in
Konala (http://www.autokeskus.fi).

With the MOT shop I use, Suomen Autokatsastus (http://www.sauk.fi) the
MOT is about 40 EUR incl. emissions test and the whole lot, and new
inspection "jälkitarkastus" for problems found is less, something like
10-20 EUR.

HTH.

[jvrijn]

I am sure that this is one of those Finnish quirks that is meant to prevent conflicts of interest. If a garage does the MOT, they may use the MOT to get repair-work.

/Jeroen

[Hank W.]

Its cheaper to go take the MOT, get the "to-do" list and then take it to a garage. Garage billing is around 60 euros per hour. To give a "look" usually takes more than one hour. Your call.

[Hank W.]

In the UK most MOT places will check it, tell you what is wrong, fix it for you (if you agree) and then pass it (no double charging).

*crash* *bling* "It seems to be your headlight is busted, that'll be £200, Gov!"

[tjawatts]

*crash* *bling* "It seems to be your headlight is busted, that'll be £200, Gov!"

but arent Finns supposed to be honest, it wouldnt happen here

[PeterF]

Having played this game for the past seven years here is the chepaest proceedure.
Unless you have lots of cash and can afford a main dealer.. find a smallish local car service place (Auto Huolto) ask neighbours friends.. us..I know of one in Kaivoksela...tell them you have a test and will they do a quick service and check it for you to see if it will pass and to call you if there are any major problems but otherwise fix.
Then take it to the car test place ..if it passes
If it fails back to the same place and show them the fail report..they will fix it usualy quickly and at a low price..then you have tlo go back to the same test place and pay 10 euro they check it again and give you pass stamp in your docs.
You can also take it first to the car test place let them find out what is wrong..then take it can get it fixed..they only re-test the bits that fail.
I usualy do it the first way and get the car serviced at same time if the breaks/lights/emission are adjusted before you get it tested it make a good impression..the testers are fair ..but border line usualy means fail.
You can also use these test place to check out a second hand car you want to buy for a small fee.

[jvrijn]

How often does one have to do these tests? Once a year?

/Jeroen

[gavin]

How often does one have to do these tests? Once a year?

/Jeroen

Yes, and if you bought a car from the dealer, they start bombarding you with offers to test the car about 3 or 4 months before it's due...

[PeterF]

How often does one have to do these tests? Once a year?

/Jeroen


Yes, Said Gavin...Not 100% correct.
If you bought a new car or one less than two years old.
After the first test you have two years before the second one then every year.

[Hank W.]

but arent Finns supposed to be honest, it wouldnt happen here

You should read what kind of scandal happened when TM (Tekniikan Maailma) made their first service garage test. They had the cars checked out, which had a few evident flaws. Then they scored out what was done/ what was billed /what was not done and published the survey. I guess a few garage owners ruptured a hernia after being caught giving "sunlight service" (i.e. opening the bonnet and closing it back down).

I have a good mechanic as well

[Hank W.]

How often does one have to do these tests? Once a year?

The biggest question is *when*... like in the good old days it was easy. Your last plate number gave you the month you could go +3.

But then they changed it to be depending on the first date of registration. Now as all older cars seem to have say 00.00.1986 they have a "plan B" you need to try to decipher the month when it needs to be done *by*.

There is a 4 month period you need to have it done - like not on a certain date, but the car is illegal if its past the date of registration. Or say your car has the last number 2 its 28th of February last day or then you're illegal.

Some people like my dad inspect the car always "early" like in August so as to avoid going there in November everything frozen stiff...

You can go to any station to get yours inspected. IIRC if you get turned out you need to go to the same one to get the pass - so its not open house for shopping. And they're all private now. The Finnish DMV (AKE) privatized and sold the inspection, as there was some griping about them owning and running a business whilst they are the supervising authority.

[Richard]

In the UK most MOT places will check it, tell you what is wrong, fix it for you (if you agree) and then pass it (no double charging).

And they wouldn't create work for themselves would they, as that sort of
thing doesn't happen in the UK