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MOT Cost Cutting discussion

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Comments

  • Hi,
    I absolutely dread the month of Aug as both my cars are due for their MOTs.

    I genuinely find this sector untrustworthy and always find I have been done in by jargon that gets thrown at you. I am quite competent in doing car maintenance myself, but not having the correct tools is a big hindrance.

    I've been using a garage since 2001 for MOTs for both my cars...
    E.g. In 2010 I had an advisory put on to say drivers side REAR wheel needing replacing in about 1-month. To be honest, there was plenty of tread left on it according to me. I kept meaning to do it but never did, and in Aug 2011, I took it back to the *same* garage for its MOT.

    It failed on TWO things:-
    1. Lamba Sensor (sitting on the exhaust manifold)
    2. Drivers side FRONT wheel

    The fact that the same garage put on an advisory to make sure I replace the REAR wheel in 2010 passed it a year later! Furthermore, when the lamba sensor was replaced, they did NOT re-test the car for its emissions after installing the new one - so how could they have verified the new lamba sensor was now working to the guidelines - unless it is assumed it will be fine?

    Given the fact they have 10-years' of my business, I am still reluctant to take it elsewhere, as much as I would like to do, only to be told many other points on the car need attention.

    Red.
  • i am a bit puzzled though why would you still go back there?
    What goes around-comes around
  • Whenever MSE talks about council-run MOT centres and It's not just council-run MOT centres, remember that some technical colleges run Auto Engineering apprenticeship courses, and have to have an MOT centre, open to the public, for certain kinds of course. Eastleigh College in Hampshire is one such, and surely cannot be the only one.
    These places have all the benefits of council run MOT centres but perhaps the drawback of taking very few bookings (maybe just 2 MOTs per day) and often less out of term time!
  • gph73
    gph73 Posts: 18 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Just got my car back from its MOT today. After reading the advice on this thread I booked it into Wandsworth Council's depot.

    What fantastic service! The lady receptionist was friendly and efficient, and the car passed without any warning notices. I was a little worried as we'd received a couple of warnings from Kwik Fit last year.

    Dropped it off at 10am and it was ready by 2pm. (Would have been earlier but they close for lunch 1-2pm). £50.

    I'll definitely be going back here next year.
  • kjer
    kjer Posts: 1 Newbie
    [FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]Council MOT Test Centres [/FONT]



    Inverurie
    Aberdeenshire

    Tel: 01467 627538

    Mintlaw
    Aberdeenshire

    Tel: 01771 623197

    Stonehaven
    Aberdeenshire

    Tel: 01569 763274

    Powis Terrace, Kittybrewster, Aberdeen
    Aberdeenshire

    Tel: 01224 489324 / 01224 489413

    Dundee Contract Services, 353 Clepington Road, Dundee
    Angus

    Tel: 01382 434773

    County Council Vehicle Depot, London Rd Bedford
    Bedfordshire

    Tel: 08453 656150

    Fleet Transport, Central Depot, Kingsway, Luton, Beds, LU4 8AU
    Bedfordshire

    Tel: 01582 546839

    Sandy Park Rd , Brislington, Bristol
    Bristol

    Tel: 01179 036319

    Broad Lane, Engine Common, Yate, Bristol BS37 7PN
    Bristol

    Tel: 01454 863920

    Synergy Park, Chesney Wold, Bleak Hall, Milton Keynes, MK6 1LY
    Buckinghamshire

    Tel: 01908 252845

    Peterborough City Council Depot, Nursery Lane, Fengate, Peterborough, PE1 5BG
    Cambridgeshire

    Tel: 01733 425466

    City Services Transport Depot, Mill Rd, Cambridge, CB1 2AZ
    Cambridgeshire

    Tel: 01223 458265

    Clair Road, Cardiff
    Cardiff

    Tel: 02920 343581

    Trostre Depot, Trostre Road, LLanelli, SA14 9RA
    Carmarthenshire

    Tel: 01554 784 138

    Glanyrafon Ind Est, Llanbadam Aberysthwyth, Cerdigion
    Ceredigion

    Tel: 01970 636713

    Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington WA4 6PT
    Cheshire

    Tel: 01925 634296

    Direct Services, Pyms Lane, Crewe & Nantwich
    Cheshire

    Tel: 01270 537777

    Newby Road Industrial Estate, Hazel Grove, Stockport, SK7 5DA
    Cheshire

    Tel: 0161 482 7235

    Cornwall Transport Organisation Engineering, Cornwall County Council Workshops, Bodmin
    Cornwall

    Tel: 01872 327827

    Cornwall Transport Organisation Engineering, Cornwall County Council Workshops, Scorrier
    Cornwall

    Tel: 01872 327335

    Newington Road, Shieldfield, Newcastle
    County Down

    Tel: 01912 783867

    Service Direct depot, St Johns Road, Meadowfield Industrial Estate, Durham, DH7 8YQ
    County Durham

    Tel: 01913 862714

    Local Environmental Services Central Depot, Park Road, Gateshead, NE8 3HN
    County Durham

    Tel: 01914 337433

    County Transport, Ripley Rd, Ambergate
    Derbyshire

    Tel: 01773 856667

    County Transport, Halstead Garage, Buxton
    Derbyshire

    Tel: 01298 813141

    County Transport, Brimington Rd North, Chesterfield
    Derbyshire

    Tel: 01246 450705

    Ivybridge MOT Centre, Blachford Road, Ivybridge PL21 0AE
    Devon

    Tel: 01752 698835

    Aspen Way, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7QR
    Devon

    Tel: 01803 402 966

    Wanchard Lane, DT2 9RP
    Dorset

    Tel: 01305 228132

    CEC Fleet Services, Gorgie, Russel Rd
    Edinburgh

    Tel: 01313 372307

    Langston Road, Epping Forest, IG10 3UE
    Essex

    Tel: 0208 532 0357

    Coval Lane, Chelmsford
    Essex

    Tel: 01245 435108

    Rainham Road North, Barking & Dagenham, RM10
    Essex

    Tel: 02082 272614

    Vehicle Servicing, Westside Centre, London Rd , Stanway, Colchester
    Essex

    Tel: 01206 282624

    Fleet Services, Denburn Yrd, KY1 2HD
    Fife

    Tel: 01592 551199 (switchboard)

    MOT Inspection Centre, 73 Hawthorn Street
    Glasgow

    Tel: 01412 87 3326/3328

    Swindon Rd Depot, Cheltenham
    Gloucestershire

    Tel: 01242 264184

    LeyDat Services, Unit G5 Innsworth Technology Park, Innsworth
    Gloucestershire

    Tel: 01452 731263

    Albert Rd North (City Council), Southampton
    Hampshire

    Tel: 02380 834362

    Eastleigh Borough Council,Hedge End Depot, Botley Road, Hedge End, SO30 2RA
    Hampshire

    Tel: 02380 688389

    The Forstal, Beddow Way, Kent, ME20 7BT
    Kent

    Tel: 01622 605 800

    County Workshops, The Forstal, Forstal Road, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7HB
    Kent

    Tel: 01622 605800

    Old Edinburgh Rd, Bellshill, ML4 3JF
    Lanarkshire

    Tel: 01698 506284

    Layton Depot, Plymouth Road, Blackpool, FY3 7HW
    Lancashire

    Tel: 01253 476291

    Cowpen Lane Depot, Cowpen Lane, Billingham, Stockton-on-tees, TS23 4DD
    Lancashire

    Tel: 01642 527167

    Operational Services Depot, Moorhey Street, Oldham
    Lancashire

    Tel: 0161 770 4446

    Hindley Depot, Wigan
    Lancashire

    Tel: 01942 705122

    Hardshaw Brook Depot, Parr Street, St Helens, Merseyside
    Lancashire

    Tel: 01744 456757

    Stretton Way Depot, Huyton Industrial Estate, Knowsley, L36 6JF
    Lancashire

    Tel: 0151 443 2816

    Transport Services & Vehicle Workshop, Bradley Fold Depot, Bradley Fold Trading Estate, Bradley Fold Road, Bolton, BL2 6RS
    Lancashire

    Tel: 01612 536699 / 0161 253 6662

    Dewhurst Row, Holme Road, Bamber Bridge, PR5 6BB
    Lancashire

    Tel: 01772 620 933

    84 Syston Street East, Cobden Industrial Estate, Leicester, LE1 2JW
    Leicestershire

    Tel: 01162 519185

    Mill Hill Depot, Barnet, London
    London

    Tel: 0208 3595103

    Tower Hamlets Vehicle Workshop, Silvocea Way, Blackwall, London, UK, E14 0JJ
    London

    Tel: 02073 641069

    Waltham Forest Transport Services, Low Hall Depot, Argall Avenue, London, E10 7AS
    London

    Tel: 02084 962555

    Rutlish Auto Care Centre, 144 Kingston Road, Merton, London, SW19 1LY
    London

    Tel: 02085 423269

    1 Dormay Street, Frogmore Complex, Wandsworth, London, SW18 1EY
    London

    Tel: 0208 8716761

    Fleet Management, Birchmere Depot, Birchmere Business Site, Eastern Way, Thamesmead, Greenwich, London, SE28 8BF
    London

    Tel: 02089 214561

    Bridge Rd Depot, Pears Rd, Hounslow, TW3 1SQ
    London

    Tel: 02085 835430

    80b High Street, Bonnyrigg
    Midlothian

    Tel: 01316 603486

    Northumberland County Council, Morpeth
    Northumberland

    Tel: 01670 510153

    Rolleston Drive Workshops, Arnold, Nottingham
    Nottinghamshire

    Tel: 01159 567420

    Transport Services Division, Cowley Marsh Depot, Marsh Road, Oxford, OX4 2HH
    Oxfordshire

    Tel: 01865 252900

    Thorpe Lane Depot, Cherwell
    Oxfordshire

    Tel: 01295 221940

    Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, SA73 2RR
    Pembrokeshire

    Tel: 01437 764 551 ext 5938

    Unit 28, Thornton, Industrial Estate, Pembrokshire, SA73 2RR
    Pembrokshire

    Tel: 01437 775 440

    Ffrwdgrech DSO Depot, Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate, Brecon, Powys, LD3 8DR
    Powys

    Tel: 01597 826000

    Limerick Rd, Dormanstown
    Redcar & Cleveland

    Tel: 01642 444979

    McCalls Avenure, AYR
    South Ayshire

    Tel: 01292 267802

    Beacon Business Park, Weston Road, Stafford
    Staffordshire

    Tel: 01785 854832 / 01785 854833

    Northwood, Stoke On Trent
    Staffordshire

    Tel: 01782 232297

    Lodge Lane, Great Blackenham, Nr Ipswich
    Suffolk

    Tel: 01473 588600

    Blythe Rd Industrial Estate, Halesworth
    Suffolk

    Tel: 01984 874427

    Rougham, Industrial Estate, Bury St Edmunds
    Suffolk

    Tel: 01359 270777

    Factory Lane, Croydon
    Surrey

    Tel: 02082 552758

    Woking Road, Guildford
    Surrey

    Tel: 01483 445091

    Colas
    Sussex

    Tel: 01273 815850

    Accord, Broadbridge Heath Depot, Worthing Rd, Horsham
    Sussex

    Tel: 01403 211246

    Eastbourne Buses, Birch Road, Eastbourne
    Sussex

    Tel: 01323 418077

    S. Tyneside Council, Middlefields, Heddon Way, Tyne Dock, South Shields, NE34 0NT
    Tyneside

    Tel: 0191 427 2024

    County Fleet Maintenance, Unit 6, Coleshill Depot, Coleshill Hth Road, Coleshill, B46 3HL
    Warwickshire

    Tel: 01675 464888

    St. Marys Road Depot, St. Marys Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 5AR
    Warwickshire

    Tel: 024 7637 6031 ext. 6031

    Richmond Street, Clydebank
    West Dunbartonshire

    Tel: 01389 738741

    Montague Street, Bordesley, Birmingham, B9 4BA
    West Midlands

    Tel: 0121 303 3311

    259 London Rd, Coventry, CV3 4AR
    West Midlands

    Tel: 02476 832147

    Fleet Services Public Works Depot, Norfolk Place, Bloxwich Road, Walsall, WS2 7BA
    West Midlands

    Tel: 01922 653716

    Calne Test Station
    Wiltshire

    Tel: 01249 812351

    VOSA Test Station, Wiltshire County Council, Devizes
    Wiltshire

    Tel: 01380 725854

    Six Ways Depot, Worcester
    Worcestershire

    Tel: 01905 753000

    Vehicle & Plant, North Bridge Doncaster, DN5 9AN
    Yorkshire

    Tel: 01302 736851

    Shearbridge Depot, Shearbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1PU
    Yorkshire

    Tel: 01274 431000

    Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesborough
    Yorkshire

    Tel: 01642 264586

    Amos Fleet, Battinson Rd, Halifax
    Yorkshire

    Tel: 01422 355419

    Vine Street, Huddersfield, Kirklees, West Yorkshire HD1 6NT
    Yorkshire

    Tel: 01484 223 127

    225a York Road, Leeds, LS9 7QQ
    Yorkshire

    Tel: 01132 143161

    Claro Rd, Harrogate
    Yorkshire

    Tel: 01423 556877

    Newton Bar Depot, Wakefield
    Yorkshire

    Tel: 01924 306431
  • I need some help with my MOT dilemma.

    Halfords Autocentre have failed my vehicle today, all genuine reasons for failure as far as I can tell, but have quoted an astonishing £400 for repairs! I subsequently took the car away and enquired at a small independent garage who are fixing it all for £80. The small garage do not carry out MOTs.

    Should I take my vehicle back to the original Halfords for a retest (which I can do within 10 days but will cost £27)? My worry is they will be a bit cheesed off with the fact I chose not to use them for repairs therefore might find more faults/make out repairs were not good enough. OR Do I pay for a brand new test at another garage, show them the refusal certificate so they can see what has been repaired. Another worry is if I take it for a brand new test they will uncover more faults which I know exist but were not picked up today.

    Many thanks for your help.
  • Joe_Horner
    Joe_Horner Posts: 4,895 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    That's a pretty tough call, curryeater, and is one of the "risks" of either using large chains or "shopping around" for the best deal each year rather than finding a local place that you can trust and sticking with them.

    Bear in mind that, on a partial retest (which is what you're eligible for at Halfrauds), the tester is perfectly entitled to find new fail items and is certainly expected to fail repairs that have been done to a poor standard.

    There are also some new "fail" items coming into force on Monday, which your car will have to pass even if it's a partial retest, although if any of them was likely to be a problem you should have had an advisory note for them on the first test.

    Can you give some indication of what the failures were? That might help to give a better idea of how likely they are to be able to fault the repairs (eg: replaced indicator bulb either works or doesn't but a headlamp bulb might affect alignment)

    Also, any clues about what the "other issues" are? You may be surprised and find that they weren't picked up because they're not in the test, or aren't "faulty enough" to warrant a fail (although, again, should really have been advised if that was the case).
  • Useful advice. I used Tower Hamlets council’s testing station yesterday - they were very helpful and fitted me in straight away even though they had reduced staff due to the Easter break. I was also 15 mins late (it's a little tricky to find if you don't know the area) but they still managed to fit me in. Charged £50 - they only take cash or cheque. Very good, friendly service - would happily recommend and use again. Address below:


    Blackwall Transport Complex
    1 Silvocea Way
    London
    E14 0JJ

    Tel: 020 7364 1069
  • Joe_Horner
    Joe_Horner Posts: 4,895 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Update from my last post - seems that VOSA are faffing about and haven't activated the new fails yet. Even the testing world is wondering what they're playing at (although not much new there!)
  • CALGACUS
    CALGACUS Posts: 37 Forumite
    Hi All,

    My cars MOT is due, and following the advice in the article (and on this thread) I would like to use a council run MOT test centre. I can't, however, find any address online for either of the nearest local councils.

    Does anyone know if there is such a test centre in either Stirling or Clackmannanshire council areas?

    Any replies gratefully received!
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