MOT fee question

PabloNeruda

My MOT expires on 9th August and I want to get it tested beforehand in case there are any faults.
I have read some of the closed thread about council MOT test centres, and I am going to ring the one in Essex tomorrow for an appointment.
My question is, assuming there are NO faults requiring work at (at a local garage, I know they wont actually do repairs at the council MOT centre), is the actual basic MOT fee cheaper, so I'd still save money anyway?
Is there a standard MOT fee for council test centres, and a standard fee for private garages, or can they charge what they like?

Thanks.

cc25

There is a maximum permissible fee set for an MOT test - further details on www.vosa.gov.uk, currently £44.15 for cars, but garages may charge less than this if they wish.

Most council run MOT test centres will charge the maximum fee. Other garages may charge less, often in the hope that you will ask them to carry out any work they say is required on your car to secure a MOT pass

mr_accountant

My local council (Leicester) is £40 included a free full 7-day retest.

Sure if i passed 1st time at a local garage who charge £30 i would be worse of by £10, but the reality is the local garage would try it on and attempt to gain £200 in unnecessary extra work. The council station is totally fair- and as it happens, my car failed the mot on only one item (still a fail) so it worked out cheaper in the end, and they don’t try and make up unnecessary work.
Anyhow as most garages charge around £30 it’s not worth messing around for a tenner with a local garage, when you know you will be give a fair attempt with the council station.

I would take it to the council if the initial and retest price is sensible, unless you know (for sure) of a good local mot garage which is cheaper.