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[Crazycarzowner]

A colleague at work has an 02 plate Audi A4 1.9tdi. 3 Years ago it failed its MOT on both track-rod ends so he told the garage to replace em. It then passed. Last year it failed again, on wait for it.........both track-rod ends, this was queried as the last 2 were literally on the 12 month limit and the bill was reduced as a gesture of 'good will'. This year, guess what? Same garage, same result failed because of excessive play on one of em and a hole in the rubber seal of the other!!!!!
Garage wants £116 odd for replacing both of em again  & I can't help but think they are pullin his chain 
Surely they should last more that 10k or a year, I don't think they were Audi parts but surely just 12 months??? something seems a bit fishy?

[Marks DTM Calib]

Audi's eat front suspension components for breakfast and the trouble is you have to pay good money for decent ones to get any life at all out of them.

Meyle do HD items.

The other challenge is that when the other (numerous) bushes get tired, they put extra load on the track rod ends!

Only real answer is to change the lot (most of which will be shot!)

[Andy B]

As Mark suggests, the garage will have fitted the cheapest pattern parts they could buy. Many years ago when I was young & poor, I fitted new track rod ends, from the local motorfactor, to my Manta for its MOT. The car then failed the following year's MOT on ............ worn track rod ends, that had been on all but 12 months

[Martian]

As above.....

The garage probably fitted the cheapest bits of chinese crap they could locate, but the time taken to replace both will be the same regardless of whether it's genuine parts or pattern.
Given that you are looking at a minimum of one hour labour, plus parts, plus VAT......I'd say that £116 isn't that far off for the job in hand to be honest.

Add in the fact you are going to blow at least £20 for a minimum of tracking afterwards (even though it should be a four wheel geo), and you are well on your way to a pretty honest garage IMO.