Cheap MOTs: Northern Ireland

[MSE Andrea]

What’s this about?

Paying for MOT repairs can take a hefty wack from your wallet. Yet there's a way to cut this cost. The first point of call is read the full Cheap MOTs article. This discussion is specifically to talk about MOTs in your local area:

Northern Ireland MOTs

If you want to discuss cheap MOTs in general please go to the Cheap MOTs Discussion.

If you’ve got a suggestion/tip

Simply click reply and add your suggestion, though it's worth scanning down first to check it's not been duplicated.


If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply. If you aren’t sure how it all works, read our New to Forum? Intro Guide .

Related Discussions

• General Cheap MOTs

• Scotland MOTs
• Wales MOTs
• North West of England MOTs
• North East of England & Cumbria MOTs
• Yorkshire MOTs
• East Yorks & Lincs MOTs
• East Midlands MOTs
• West Midlands MOTs
• West of England MOTs
• South West of England MOTs
• South of England MOTs
• South East of England MOTs
• East of England MOTs
• London MOTs

Related MoneySaving Guides:


Car Hire
Breakdown Cover
Cheap Petrol & Diesel
Car Insurance

[Wee Bargain Hunter]

With regard to this weeks newsletter & the updated guide, NI has had a brilliant, government-run, MOT system for years. The link with all the info is here . As usual things are a bit different in NI in that we cannot use a private garage but must use an official centre. No great hardship though as they do a great job.

[almillar]

Quite right, this is one thing NI does right compared with the rest of the UK. Garages don't perform MOTs, official MOT centres do. You pay a fixed amount for your MOT, they perform it, and pass you or fail you, tell you what's wrong with it, and send you on your way. They don't care if there's anything wrong with your car, and won't offer to fix made-up faults to try to get money out of you.
The only hints I can give are book early (through www.nidirect.gov.uk is quick!) to get a time that suits you,
If you haven't booked early, phone between 9.30 and 10.00 in the morning to get cancellations,
and if you fail, park round the front of the test centre and go in and re-book, which is cheaper and easier.

[deeor]

The drawbacks are the waiting times although these seem to have improved recently and the fact that you have to rebook and pay a second fee (£18 I think) if you fail, even on one item.

You also get a written reminder that the test is due although they let me down this year. Not sure if you get reminders in GB.

We've also got a test disc which we must display on the windscreen.

My son lives in Wales and simply drives in off the street to an MOT approved garage, but he has taken the trouble to find one with a good reputation.

[MSE Andrea]

Interim post to keep open

[deeor]

DVA seem to have raised their game considerably. My neighbour's mot expires on 25 April and he got a reminder dated 7 March. There are now early evening and week-end slots at the MOT stations and the online booking system works smoothly.

[almillar]

Haven't had to wait for more than 2 weeks for an appointment since the upgrades were completed a few years ago just by way of update...