MOTs Cost Cutting MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion Area

ocoste

operate a centre at Hawthorn Street, tele: 0141 287 3326

MOT's available to members of the public by appointment only.

A_Nice_Englishman

In the interest of accuracy I must point out that the Newport Transport MOT centre (listed under Gwent) is not run by Newport City Council . Newport Tranport is the former buses department of the Council which was privatised in 1985 ( believe).

They do repairs and servicing as well as MOTs so stand to profit from fixing any faults they find, just like any other garage.

None of the above is meant to be critical of Newport Transport and I would be pleased to hear from anyone who has used them.

sad_gills_fan

One more for you all is most of the BT Fleet garages around the country. They are independant of BT (as far as I know) and do not profit directly from any repairs. Cost is £37.50 at the moment.

The one at Maidstone in Kent is highly recommended by me, very friendly staff and a cup of tea if you need one!

There are tons of them around the country including Plymouth, Inverness, Northallerton and Bangor to name just a few. If anyone needs details of their nearest one, just PM me and I'll try to help.

One more thing is that as BT use Vauxhalls as their standard company cars, each garage has the official Vauxhall diagnostic test equipment that can help in times of trouble.

stanmoresaver

A little tale to endorse the use of the council run Testing centres-

I took my Diesel to be MOT-ed. My first MOT of a fair few years. The tester seemed a nice guy- said it would take him about an hour! I asked if i could watch- he was fine with this but his boss was on a Heath and Safety missin so not to walk about too much.

He was very thorough- did everything slowly but surely. No problems. Comes to the emission test- He wanted it to pass. It would transpire because of my MSE featherweight accelerater foot, that my engine was a bit clogged up- and it failed the first set of three readings. So he did it again, and again. It's getting better. "Hang on a second mate" let take it outside. We need to give this a good clearout- you ok for a mo?" We take it outside- race the engine repeatedly for a bit- "let's try it now" guess what- Fails (just) again. At this point i think he'll give up. "one more go- I reckon it'll pass this time" he says again- races the engine again almost for good luck. It passes and he looks nearly as happy as me!!!

I'm well happy and the cynic in me feels i might not have got those five attempts at a commercial garage!

ultimate_fish

As a few folk have already said, if you look around there are often MOT centres that do just that and nothing more.

Every town has a lot of small garages/repair centres that can't afford to offer the full MOT service. As a result there are often places that do nothing but an MOT and this is where all the small independent garage owners can take a customer's car.

There's one in York that I've used called The MOT centre, it's on the James Street industrial estate, and they offer very good service.

barryboy1954

I work at Eastbourne Buses and our depot in Birch Road Eastbourne has an MOT test centre that does not undertake repairs. They are also able to accomodate large vehicles such as stretched limos etc. Maybe other bus garages also undertake MOT tests.

rosepink

Might there be anywhere in Lincolnshire along the lines of the council testers? I have just had a bad experience after a £420 service, with a car that subsequently failed on brakes at the MOT station - having just had new discs and pads fitted in the service at the official agent!!! Two garages saying different things and both MOT testing stations! Someone is at fault here and I in the middle. I have now got an MOT cert but will not use either of them again. Any suggestions welcomed!

andrewl_3

MILTON KEYNES
============

The council-run MOT centre in Milton Keynes is at Synergy Park, Chesney Wold, Bleak Hall, Milton Keynes, MK6 1LY. Telephone 01908 252845.

Dave80s

Oxford City Council carry out MOT testing

Phone 01865 252900
Address:
Transport Services Division
Cowley Marsh Depot
Marsh Road
Oxford
OX4 2HH

davet_3

Hampshire County Council have one in Eastleigh


Eastleigh Borough Council
M O T Centre/Hedge End Depot Botley Road Hedge End
Hedge End Hampshire SO30 2RA
Tel: (01489 781615)