So, recently I had a check engine light come on with the usual symptoms of a faulty mass air flow sensor. 
 

I took it to eurocar parts and they basically daylight robbed me £247 for a new mass air flow sensor & labour. I know this. 
 

however this was giving me error code P0101. A week later I’m now getting error code P0112. I took the mass air flow meter out and had a look inside. Cleaned it with mass air flow sensor cleaner and left it to dry completely. I then spotted the attached image. Which is a snapped; small plastic holder. Which is at the top right of the image next to the blue part. 

Bare in mind doing a diagnostic test the Intake Air Temperature doesn’t budge from 130c 🧐😂

 

Would there “have” been an IAF sensor here? I know how sensitive it is so I don’t want to mess with it too much. 

Blimey... They saw you coming. it must have been a long journey too!

I think the sensor's can be had for around £90 prior to discount * and take minutes to fit, although you don't mention what variant you have. (Always a handy starting point).

 

Personally, I would go back to the fitting centre and, without mentioning anything about cleaning the sensor or finding a bit missing, suggest they charged a fortune without fixing the issue. 

In proportion here, though, you don't stipulate wether the seemingly damaged part is the new sensor, or the part of the car you fit it to. Such a close up photo makes it hard to distinguish, unless you are fairly familiar with the part in question. If it is a faulty NEW part, its the suppliers responsibility but the moment you removed, cleaned and spotted this, the onus is now on YOU to prove you did not actually damage it yourself and they are very fragile items. That's why I suggested NOT mentioning anything. 

 

* You may find a surcharge of around £30, refundable when you give them your sensor. This SHOULD not apply, if they kept it to start with!