Save on MOT Bills

System

I just phoned Southampton City Council and they have an MOT test centre on Albert Rd North (near the football stadium). The phone number is 023 8083 4362.

I can't decide whether to use that centre or a local garage. I suppose that if you think there is a chance your car will genuinely fail then it is better at a garage as you can get it fixed and retested without incurring an extra test charge?

inept

I'm pretty sure the Cambridge Mill Road depot also do MOT testing available to the public. I seem to remember seeing an advert in a local newspaper advertising the service.

It's located down Mill Road, on the left just before the railway bridge if you're interested,

cheers,
Rich.

calamityjayneuk

Here's a good garage in the Gateshead area. They are no council, but only do MOTs and they are all really nice. They did a free retest within 14 days for me and will send a remind out 30 days before the next MOT is due. And they also test motorbikes. It's about £30 for car and £15 for bike.

Metro M.O.T Centre
Longrigg Rd Swalwell
Newcastle Upon Tyne Tyne and Wear
NE16 3AW

Tel: 0191 4884235

(no I'm not related, just a happy customer )

PaleScene

There doesn't seem to be a government test centre anywhere near me (Gloucestershire).

I'm not sure it would be worth an hours drive into Oxfordshire (Banbury) where the car might very well fail, need both fixing and retesting - which brings in loads of complications with driving without MOT, distance and which garage to use - one there or one here.

I've almost ruled the idea out - but not quite... still be nice to go somewhere without bias.

Another thought - my car is old and failed the last MOT on rust. It runs very nicely and is reliable - give or take very occasional mechanical problems - but the rust thing is a looming horror. In fact, last year I was told it wasn't worth having the work done, and that it certainly won't be worth it this year (I disagreed on the former and am now looking for ways round the latter!)

Can you escape the rust thing? The way the garage put it - no, you can't, that's it, after a time a perfectly great car in all other respects just can't go on. <sob>

System

I e mailed The council about this and heres the reply

With regard to your recent enquiry regarding MOT's.

Any MOT station has to be available for all members of the public as this
is part of the granting of the certificate from the Dept for Transport.

The workshops that carry out MOT testing do have the facility to repair any
member of the publics car but it is at the discretion of the relevant
supervisor as his own core work for the council takes priority.

We also have to be careful that we are not taking trade away from any local
business as previous legislation did not permit Councils to be in direct
competition with local garages etc.

System

Excellent tip! ;D

South Ayrshire Council MOT centre... Transport Section, McCalls Avenue, AYR. Telephone 01292 267802.

Shinty

For those of you in North Lanarkshire, Scotland then you can try to visit their test cente at
http://www.northlan.gov.uk//living+here/roads+and+transport/mots/index.html

or call for an appointment

Administrative Officer
Transport Services
Old Edinburgh Road Bellshill
01698 506284

My car's MOT is not due until Sept so I'll be putting a note of this is my diary.

Thanks MSE !!!

Bambi_Blou

Hi all,

Been away so a bit delayed in replying here (also my reply notifications still don't work - any clues mister moderator??).

Firstly: Martin, you're very welcome, pitching in together makes all the difference.

Secondly: for those in the West Sussex area, apparently Adur Council used to do MOTs, but I don't know if they still do. For those nearer the Gatwick area, there's Accord, Broadbridge Heath Depot, Worthing Rd., Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 3LZ - 01403 211246. Apparently they used to be part of the Council but changed hands. However the same staff are still there and they still carry out MOTs for the Council.

Lastly: Although we have the initial list of garages embedded at the front of this thread now, there's no way to keep adding to that list easily. Perhaps we should start a new thread that is made up strictly of garage details, so any comments should be kept in this thread, but any contact information added to the new one. That way it would be easy to check if any new information has been added and would also ensure people new to this thread don't miss any useful information without having to read the entire thread. Thoughts anyone?

BB

System

Hi Guys,
Chichester District Council (West Sussex) have an MOT station at their Westhampnet Refuse Centre, and they also do not do repairs there, so obviously nothing to gain by failing a vehicle ......... need to book in advance, I do not work for them but have taken my car there for about 6 years, a taxi driving friend put me on to them as he must take his taxi there for an annual check up.
Regards to all.
Sam

System

Anywhere in the Milton Keynes area please?