this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2025
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You're baiting the mechanic.
If an old guy turns up with middle aged daughter they'll assume she's there to help and deal with the daughter. If somebody has gone to the lengths of bringing a friend to the MOT (it's not somewhere you go for a date after all) it's probably because they're wanting help.
If she turned up by herself they would assume a more general knowledge of cars, which is still far below what she has but wouldn't be dismissive.
I think the ways it's setup does make it sound baity ("we do it every year"). But it's not that uncommon to bring a friend or family member to an MOT in Britain. You've got to leave your car at the garage, usually for a few hours and sometimes much longer. So, it's pretty useful to have a friend pick you up or drive you back to collect your car, to save you the hassle of walking or public transport.
If I turned up to collect my car with my same-age friend, and the mechanic spent the whole time describing the problems he'd found to my friend I'd find it pretty weird. But I don't find it unbelievable that lots of women experience that if they go with a male friend. And I could imagine finding that pretty patronising if I was knowledgeable about cars.
If the mechanic is walking past her and talking to the guy waiting for her in his car outside, then I think you've got a point.
I've done what you're describing for a bunch of female friends / partners. A lift back from the MOT means arriving in a different car. Even if I do get out of the car (which I probably wouldn't) I'm not even engaging in the conversation because it's nothing to do with me.
Now...buying cars with a friend. There's a situation which can go very wrong!
I think the bait only works on sexist mechanics who make the assumption. It's not that hard to just ask who wants the bulk of the information, or to address two people as a small group.
Car haver. Retired from customer service.
Can you see how that might be fun, though?
Yes. It feels fun to make other people look stupid because you've misled them.
It's not very nice though.
I think you're assuming something that is not even implied in the text. There's no misleading or presumption of feeling stupid.
Have you never made this kind of mistake? The cops don't come out of the walls, you just get schooled for your snap judgement lol. You cop to it, blush, and try to be better. It's funny.