MOTs Cost Cutting MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion Area

mpython

Followed the advice here and took my 6 yr old car to Gt Blakenham, Suffolk County Councilsite.

They were really friendly, the only thing needing doing was to raise the headlamp beams, which they did for free. Test was £48.00 so I made a donation to their tea kitty to say thanks.

Lord_Darkclaw

metoyoubears wrote:

I think your post was a bit wrong! I know from experience that garages often try to swindle car drivers at MOT times! Especially being a woman!!!! I know mechanics that have done it to people to try and get an extra £150 or so especially when your looking at £60 per hour labour charges!

Absolutely.
Don't trust ANY commercial garage, I usually go to Kwikfit because they are local and convenient but they are very dodgy - the quality of their work is sometimes appalling and they will always try it on with remarks about this-or-that being "close to the wear limit".

I'm taking my car in for MOT tomorrow but if it fails (which is usually the case) I'll take it to a council MOT centre.

It's so easy to get suckered by these mechanics, they smile at you and assure you that they know what they are doing, and if you doubt them or ask them something like "I'd like to keep the old oil-filter" (sometimes the lazy sods won't bother to change the filter - expect the lifespan of your engine to halve if they don't!) they will look at you like you're slightly mentally-impaired even though every good mechanic knows exactly what it's about.

Here's a couple of classic scams:

"rusty brake lines" (surface rust, harmless)

"brake judder" (meaningless, and just an attempt to make you buy new brake discs instead of a set of pads)

"uneven braking" (usually just a sticky cable, 5 minute job)


OMG I HATE GARAGES!!!:eek:

MikeVirtual

Might be worth looking on Motor Trades for Essex MOT Centres.
I recently used CD Motors in Chelmsford who were really helpful.

sroe

The County Council MOT test station in Warwickshire is

County Fleet Maintenance
Unit 6
Coleshill Depot
Coleshill Heath Road
Coleshill
B46 3HL

Telephone 01675 464888

noy

Vehicle workshops
Address

Silvocea Way Blackwall, London, UK, E14 0JJ.
Tel: 020 7364 1069
Fax: 020 7364 1070/4050

The Borough's Vehicle Workshop undertakes the routine programme of servicing and repair to all the Council's vehicles and items of equipment. It arranges and undertakes driving tests for all Council drivers and undertakes vehicle inspections for the Council's car loan scheme.

It has a MOT test bay, which is available to the general public.

Open : Mon-Fri 7am-4.30pm.
Access: Wheelchair access
Transport: DLR: Blackwall & Canning Town

Bushboy

Does anyone know if Hounslow Borough council still do vehicle MOT testing and do I have to be a resident of that borough to apply?

Thanks

creativemind

I'm desperately looking for council MOT centre for either the boroughs of Kingston upon Thames, Richmond or Elmbridge.. getting pretty desperate as my MOT is due in the next 2 weeks!

Have tried phoning kingston council but they are no help at all!!

Kind regards,

Matt.

Bushboy

Creative - If you can drive a few more miles, go to the Hounslow council test centre.

Having not owned a car for about 5 years, was weary about local garages near me.

Read the threads on here and tried Hounslow council.

I called Thurs morning to see when they might have some free slots.
They had a 5pm one same day which I took.

Arrived there had the test ( passed ) and the mechanic was extremly helpful in explaining bits and bob about the car and very pleasant to go with it.

A nicer man you could not meet.

50 quid for the test. Is this normal pricing nowadays?

ladylaughsalot

Found one for Birmingham:

Upper Thomas Street, Aston, Birmingham - 0121 303 6977

From ladylaughsalot x

ksh123

HA
just tried to book my car in at my local council test centre and they have no free test appts until 6 wks after my MOT runs out - and I bet I know why too!!