MOTs Cost Cutting MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion Area

oldhammer2006

NOWSE wrote: »

Oldham Council due MOTs at their Operational Services Depot, Moorhey Street, Oldham. Tel no. 0161 911 4446.
It cost £32 a fortnight ago when I took my van.

Ive always used the Oldham LA for my MOT thats always honest and transparent - no hidden costs, dodgy deals or offers - the guys are fully qualified and give you the facts - if it fails they tell you exactly why, and what needs to be done to get a safe vehicle back on the road. Why get ripped off by the back street MOT station - makes perfect money saving sence.

anias_2

Just a note to say I've used the Luton council depot for my MOT's on my now 5 yr old BMW 3 series as I wanted to make sure I DIDN'T get told by my local dealership that x or y repair was needed; I've done low mileage for the last couple of years hence no service required for a while. They've always been very good, and I had one small comment last year, and this year (still no service) it sailed through. I'm a bit cynical and wonder whether the dealership would have found SOMETHING to fix as I've not had to go back for a while so they've not made any money out of me. It's been worth the peace of mind even though it's 40 miles each way, out of my way.:j

Ratti

We have an MoT garage, we don't do cut price tests but we do fair tests.
Our customers come to us because of that & they know that we will not "find" things that need to be repaired. We carry on our business in a rural comunity & rely on our good reputation.

flapjack_2

Like many others here, I used to average an extortionate £800 per MOT on my old Renault 5. I got the distinct impression that the mechanic would hear my posh accent, estimate how much his family holiday in Barbados was going to cost him this year and then tell me "I can't let you drive it away in that state mate...it's the reversible splange" or whatever esoteric bit of kit under the bonnet he knew I wouldn't call his bluff on (after all, the great thing about being a garage mechanic is that if people understood how to fix their own cars, you wouldn't get their custom in the first place). The reversible splange would cost £800 to put right on top of the seemingly cheap £20 for the MOT. I caught him out one year when I mentioned in passing that I wouldn't be able to eat this month after paying that bill and after quickly ducking into the back room he slashed his quote by half (ironically his telling crisis of concience cost him my business).
When I took the same car to the government MOT centre the next time, my bill dropped from £800 to £32. And that's what it's cost me ever since.
I won't say which company suplied the previous MOTs but let's just say he wasn't a very nice a man as the advert had led me to believe!:beer:

Fairdealer_2

We were told that we needed work doing to the brakes and the exhaust. We took the car to another garage and were told that there was nothing wrong with the brakes at all. For the 'new' exhaust we went to a tyre and exhaust specialist. Again, the exhaust did not need replacing.

sherminator1

Hi,

If you're looking for a local council MOT service in Sheffield then this is their number 01142037421. They are located along the tramline in the Attercliffe area but I don't have the exact address. I booked my MOT and got seen next day. Cost £50. Left car for about 4 hours. First time my car has passed an MOT in 4 years.

sherminator1.

beachbumdorset

All vehicle owners/drivers should remember that as soon as the M.O.T. runs out, or your vehicle fails the test, be aware your insurance is also likely to be invalid, not something many people realise. I found this out when I checked with my insurance company, check with yours.

terryya

beachbumdorset wrote: »

All vehicle owners/drivers should remember that as soon as the M.O.T. runs out, or your vehicle fails the test, be aware your insurance is also likely to be invalid, not something many people realise. I found this out when I checked with my insurance company, check with yours.

That isn't true. IFIRC insurers state that your car has to be road worthy and not having an MOT doesn't automatically mean it is unroadworthy.

hippomaples

I have been using my local council for years. They are great. It has saved me a fortune as they take me round my vans and show me anything that is likely to go and will need to be replaced/repaired before my next MOT. This way so far I have passed first time and also am aware of any likely problems. They also tell me how much I should pay for this job. Unlike the garage whom charged me £800 for repairs then failed the vehicle 3 weeks later telling me the "new" (rust - did he not spot that 3 weeks ago when he did the £800 job) repairs were too high and the van went to the scrap yard.

deano1964

I took my car to the council MOT Centre in Croydon. Service was great and you are allowed to watch them doing the testing and ask any questions. Cost is £50 but well worth it. They let me know what things will need doing in the future as well.