MOTs Cost Cutting MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion Area

jonross

Hello all, this is my first post so please excuse any newby blunderes.
I agree with the rational of taking a car to a council MOT centre but thought it was important to point out that, as a previous poster said it is only a safety check / inspection that is valid at time of test.
It is not the same as a service - which will keep your car running longer - thus saving money in the long run.

Oil and Filter Change, Air Filter and Sparkplugs are just 3 areas that the MOT does not look at but are important to do to keep your car running reliably and economically and should be done every 6- 12 k miles depending on make / model
the other key thing is the cam belt and tensioner pully - it needs doing every 30 - 90 k depending on car but if this one goes you are looking at a big bill so it's a worthy spend to save measure.

I drive a £600 banger and, with the exception of cam belts, used to do these things myself but found that the garages will do them for only slightly more than the cost of the parts. I guess they make their savings by buying in bulk

Another pet hate of mine is breaks. Breaks are a key safety feature of your car and garages use this to scare people. I had a free break test once and the tester told me that the disks (not pads) only had 2mm of life left in them and recommended replacing them - sounds surprising doesn't it? but then i asked what is the maximum and minimum thickness? the answer was somthing like 14 and 10 mm - so 4mm between max and min. after 30,000 miles they were only halfway through their life.

By the way, I am not a car mechaninc or involved in the motor trade

DonUrquhart

There is a Test Center in the City at the Council's Kittybrewster Depot on Great Northern Road. Tel 01224 489323

reksie

Where is the Lancashire Ambulance Service Centre in Preston? Do you have a number?

Thanks

Iamthesmartestmanalive

BurPFred wrote: »

Telford's ONLY Independent Test Centre for

New poster recommending MOT station:rolleyes:

Seriously though the best option is to find a mechanic you trust and then no problem, 1 MOT cost, no unncessary repairs and reasonable repair costs were needed

I have one, its a shame they arent all like that:T

espresso

Iamthesmartestmanalive wrote: »

New poster recommending MOT station:rolleyes:

Seriously though the best option is to find a mechanic you trust and then no problem, 1 MOT cost, no unncessary repairs and reasonable repair costs were needed

I have one, its a shame they arent all like that:T

So why have you quoted the advert then? If the post is removed, yours will still be there!

:rolleyes:

Iamthesmartestmanalive

espresso wrote: »

So why have you quoted the advert then? If the post is removed, yours will still be there!

:rolleyes:

Sorted:rotfl:

jtcowie

Hi, I tried searching the forum but couldn't find the answer to this - apologies in advance if the answers are there somewhere! One - does anyone know where the nearest council-run MOT centre is to Bishops Stortford? Two - do I have to go to one in my area, or could I go to Cambridge for instance? Thanks for any help.

gedasd

jtcowie wrote: »

Hi, I tried searching the forum but couldn't find the answer to this - apologies in advance if the answers are there somewhere! Two - do I have to go to one in my area, or could I go to Cambridge for instance? Thanks for any help.

Hello jtcowie You can do MOT anywhere You like, no restrictions.

Just did MOT in Walsall Council MOT test centre (address in Martin's article) - excellent service, accepted after half an hour without appointment(phone was answering machine only, so I went straight there)! Paid 30 quid for Corsa - passed. Thanks to all for info!

bessie00

I also use the Royston Test Centre (near Welwyn, Hertfordshire) and have always been really pleased with them.

us2notts

Does anyone know of a council run mot centre in the Worksop area of Notts?Sorry if this has been asked for before but i've had a look and can't find anything,