Hi,

I had the rear shock absorbers changed on my Fabia 1.9 Tdi in December as one of them had a fluid leak. I thought nothing more about it until I took the car for its MOT test earlier this month and it failed on severe fluid leakage from the rear shocks. I couldn't believe it as they were only 5 months old. I sent them away to the manufacturer and they returned them with a letter stating that the cause of the leak was due to the fact that they were fitted with molegrips or a similar device. On closer inspection you can clearly see the marks.

I went back to the (independent) garage that fitted them and they have denied using molegrips and therefore would not be taking responsibility. I have all the paper work to prove that it was the garage that fitted them.

Any suggestions as to what I can do now?

Thanks.

citizens advice or Trading Standards

Did the garage supply and fit the shocks? If so don't you have some sort of guarantee (12 mths / 12k miles or similar)

I supplied the shocks. The company I bought them from said they would not be covered by a guarantee as it has been proved that they were damaged by the garage who fitted them and not a manufacturing fault. I will go back to the garage again and if they don't play ball I think I will take ktea88's advice.

i expect they used mole grips because it's difficult to do up the nut on the top of the strut... the centre part of the strut need's to be counter held whilst the nut is tightened, and the nute is recessed in so you either need a special spanner, or you counter hold them with a pair of moleys

Depends on where they held them with molegrips really. If your stuck and have to use them then if you clamp them at the top then there isnt an issue as the bump stop doesnt allow the top to enter the damper body even on full compression.

Rear shocks are a pain in the mofo **** to get the top bits off

an air gun is your friend when undoing and tightening those top nuts , obviously checking for the correct torque before refitting

your knackered tbh mate, after 5 months anyone could have had them on and off a hundred times so they will never accept liability now, sorry.