MOTs Cost Cutting MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion Area

tonyp2020

The Merseyside Regional Ambulance Service run 2 MOT stations which apparently will do MOT tests for the general public.
One is in Anfield, Liverpool and the other is in Ellesmere Port.
More details can be obtained by calling the Merseyside Regional Ambulance Service HQ on 0151 260 5220.
I have not tried the service, so I cannot comment on the quality or prices.
HTH's
Tony

hulltrucker

I used the York Test Centre today and although I understand it isn't actually run by the Council, they did provide an excellent service (I would say that as my car passed wouldnt I lol) - and I understand they are MSE users too which is all the better. Highly recommended - see you next April guys! :T

urbanduckling

The Leeds City Council MOT station is at

225a York Road
Leeds
LS9 7QQ
Tel: 0113 214 3161

You can book a slot between 9 and half 4 Monday to Friday and it costs £40.
My motor (8 yrs old) went through fine and didn't need retesting.
There is a waiting room and you can even watch from a designated viewing area if you like!

They don't do repairs but if it does fail on any items listed in the article they will do a partial re-test for free if you take it back by the end of the next working day.

I reckon some garages out there would have easily made up some 'repairs' that weren't actually needed for the MOT.

tonyp2020

I have just put my 3yo Vectra company car through a MOT test. I needed to get the car done first thing in the morning whilst I waited, as I didnt want a hire or loan car (too much hassle transfering all my spares and tools between cars).
I first tried to book it in at 2 local Vauxhall Motors main dealers (both Lookers dealers on the Wirral). One said that I could not stay and watch and that it would take 2 hours the other said that they would be taking it down to Welsh's (Cleveland St, Birkenhead) when they could and they were expecting me to leave the car all day.
I then tried asking a couple of other local garages if they could just do the MOT test first thing in the morning, and both said it was not possible unless I left the car with them for a couple of hours, whilst I "did some shopping".
This all took a few days, with no MOT.
In the end I just drove to Walsh's before they opened and waited in one of the 5 MOT lanes. Result was a pass, back on the road at 09.00, cost £40.
Walsh's appear to be the only local (Birkenhead) garage doing on demand MOT tests. Other garages I asked just seem to take cars to Walsh's and then take them back to the customer. Do they then put their costs on top? These garages also displayed blue MOT station plaques outside their premises.
So my recomendation for North Wirral is either Walsh's, Cleveland St Birkenhead, if you want on demand MOT tests or the Merseyside Regional Ambulance Service as I posted about 3 posts higher, if you have time to spare.
Tony

crossleydd42

BT used to have test centres at their TEC's (Telecom Engineering Centres) if there was a MT (Motor Transport) workshop there. Could be worth trying if you have one nearby.

Some ambulance services do, too.

RodneyTrotter

Emerald Trading
Ellough Industrial Estate, Ellough, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 7TD
Tel: 01502 710123

Great Staff, really fair MOT Tests, Cars/Vans/Mini-Buses/Motorcycles. Ask for Glen..........do me a favour pls. If you call then would you say Dan from Lowestoft recommended you.......Many Thx....

crossleydd42

The Gloucestershire Council centre seems to be in Cheltenham and I live in Gloucester. For over five years, I've used a garage for MoT's that I trust implicitly, namely:
LeyDat Services, Unit G5, Innsworth Technology Park, Innsworth.
Tel: 01452 731263. They're cheery folk, too!

carpy

anyone know one in northamptonshire????

full-time-mum

Emailed both Northampton and Wellingborough Councils as my MOT is due and the idea of using a Government test centre appeals.

Northampton said:

The nearest centre I know if is in Weedon, but as you live in
Wellingborough could I advise you to contact Wellingborough Council at
customerservices@wellingborough.gov.uk or click on the following link
which may be able to help you

So I emailed wellingborough and got:

Thank you for your email. Borough Council of Wellingborough has not
had an MOT centre since 2004. They out source to local garages.

Weedon is not exactly convienient for me so I guess I'll have to stick with standard garages:(

vikkih

I took my car to the Tower Hamlets transport service unit for it's MOT today it cost £40 and i'm pleased to say it passed. They were really polite and profesional I rang thursday and they did it on friday. if you can't get the car there during the opening hours they can arrange for security to take the keys. All in all I highly recomend there services