Increasingly amusing tales of car ownership - Chapter 6

The story so far:
Chapter 1: Astra vs. Bus (not detailed)
Chapter 2: His motor
Chapter 3: Only one calamity to go
Chapter 4: Only one wing mirror to go
Chapter 5: Linkage

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Chapter 6: M.O.T.

Friday morning: I submit the Silver (and Red) Machine for an M.O.T. It fails (unsurprisingly) at 1200 hours, but I am not notified of this until 1700 hours, when I 'phone them. They tell me they are unable to give me an estimate for the remedial work because they 'haven't looked at it yet'.

I start to wonder if they did the test with their eyes closed.

Monday morning: They ask for permission to proceed with the work. I point out that I still haven't had an estimate. After some debate, I get a figure of £150 from them. They warn me that I might not get the Machine back straight away, because they might not be able to book it in for a retest until the end of the week. They promise to call me back when they know.

Monday afternoon: The Machine passes the retest.

Wednesday evening: They tell me that the Machine has passed, again only when I 'phone them. I go to collect it, and am asked if I would mind hanging round for five minutes, because they haven't made up my bill yet.

Twenty minutes later, and with my bank account £180 lighter, I am driving my car back home. I'd be angry if I wasn't so amused by the whole thing. I haven't been able to drive because of my injury, so I haven't actually missed my car. Even so, I shall not be taking it back to that garage. Next time I need work doing I can't guarantee that I'll be injured. Next time I might actually need to use my car.