MOT Cost Cutting discussion

red.barchetta_2

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.

robbies_gal

i am a bit puzzled though why would you still go back there?

hintock

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

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

[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

curryeater_2

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

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).

wriglkl

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

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

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!