First (after purchase) MOT — logbook Toyota Solara 2003

So we finally got to the station on Thursday morning. We agreed on a list of necessary work, the master said he would call if anything.

In the evening he calls, and in a stern voice that does not bode well, he says: “Ilya, about the Solara, the one that we strongly discouraged you from buying ...” Then comes the description of the problem, which I did not remember in detail, but the point is that the replacement of the front brake pads is very difficult or impossible due to problems with the caliper, on which the anther is torn. And it is likely that the caliper (calipers?) will need to be replaced, and this, they say, is a lot of money.

The news is not happy, and it sounded like I was about to spend a couple of thousand dollars. Arriving home, I looked at what a caliper is and how much it costs - the original is about $ 300. Unpleasant of course, but not fatal.

Luckily, it didn't even need to. The next day (today) the master said that everything was ready and there were no replacements. I don’t know if she really threatened, or was it that I was mentally prepared for big expenses? Indeed, when I heard the final cost of all the work, I breathed a sigh of relief.

So what has been done:

Replacement
- front stabilizer links, rear
- rear stabilizer bushings
- front brake pads
- front caliper repair kit
- oil air filter and engine filter
- engine oil
- brake fluid
- left dipped beam bulb (did not burn)
- right axle oil seal

Checking
- rear pads
- automatic transmission oil level
- spark plugs
- computer engine diagnostics

They also changed tires to winter ones (those that the previous owner left).

Engine diagnostics did not reveal any serious problems, except for one error - insufficient voltage of the lambda probe; dropped. The master said - if the engine error indicator suddenly lights up - come.

The price of the issue (work with spare parts) is 1,380,000 Belarusian rubles, or $ 460. Well ... A lot, but somewhere I counted on so much, maybe a little less, I threw off 500 upon purchase.

Perhaps an oil change was superfluous, but it's more reliable.

Unfortunately, not all problems could be solved: The left turn signal blinks too often when turned on; and a non-functioning front passenger seat belt (the latter can still cost a pretty penny, the original belt, judging by exist.by, costs $260, but I saw a bushy one for 100). Otherwise, the master said there are no questions about the car.

Separately, I had to ask for a document with a list of work performed and cost. The reaction of the master is a sigh and "You need to warn about such things in advance."

PS In the evening I went to the service station to give money and pick up Solara, by public transport:

5 minutes walk from work,
one branch by metro,
transfer to the second,
bus 10 minutes,
then another 5 minutes walk to the service station.

And the weather outside is very cold wind and very wet rain, I forgot my umbrella somewhere; rush hour - crowds in the subway.

We drove back (with my brother) in the car - WHAT A FUCK. Warm, cozy, soft, fast… Any problems with the car, the cost of maintenance, gasoline, etc. are worth a thousand times this comfort, compared to what public transport gives (more precisely, takes away).