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asbokid

Volcano wrote: »

That's not a problem as long as you don't intend to drive it (or keep it on the road, but there's a bit of debate about this). Also it'll need to be taxed and insured if you do keep it on the road or SORNed if kept off the road and untaxed.

The legislative and logistical frameworks are already in place for levying automatic fines for owners of vehicles with no valid MOT certificate or certificate of insurance (and no SORN declaration...)

Only a matter of time now...

The car is off the road so no need for road tax, MOT or insurance? But have you remembered to declare all that to DVLA? Nope? Nine penalty points and a fine, notified automatically through the post.

When you need to drive it to have it MOT'd, you are legally allowed to do this as long as the MOT is booked in advance (and you're insured too I think?)

I've often thought that would be a convenient way to collect a vehicle which you have just bought with no MOT.

Don't pay for a costly collection by a tow truck or trailer. Simply pre-book the car in to an MOT station near to your home, and drive it there. I wonder if the law allows you to drop off the MOT-less car at the test station the day before the pre-booked test?

kes4026

After years of feeling ripped off by garages on MOTs, I booked my car into the Worcester council depot for an MOT on Friday.

What a fantastic service I received, from arriving to the actual MOT everyone was friendly and really helpful.

Unfortunately my car failed on a brake problem, but even though they don't actually do repairs at the depot, the chap doing the MOT was really frustrated as it was the only fault it failed on, and he went out of his way to fix the problem checking for spares in their own stores area, and after a while was able to fix the problem and then pass the car I was fully prepared to have to take my car away to be repaired and then retested the following week, and I can only applaud the determination shown to ensure I was not without a car for the Banker Holiday weekend (Even though he knew I had over a week left on the MOT).

I was really impressed with the service received which was way above my expectations, and will certainly be going back again next year.

Chatting with the chap he confirmed what everyone else says here about the council depots, that they are only interested in doing the actual MOT and providing a fair test, and they have no interest in looking for faults that aren't there or work that doesn't need doing.

A big thumbs up from me for Worcester depot :beer:

Can confirm that the current rate at Worcester is £45.

[Deleted User]

cool - i live near worcester how did you book it please?

mcjordi

wheres the closest council Mot station to Spennymoor, Co.Durham

kes4026

michael1983!! wrote: »

cool - i live near worcester how did you book it please?

Just give the depot a call on 01905 753000

I just called that number and the chap who answered was able to make my booking there and then, I was able to choose from a large number of dates and time slots

saluja

MSE_Archna wrote: »

we've taken MSE advice and gone to local council centre. 4 yr old meriva failed on n/s ball joint 'excessive' wear (and mis-aligned headlamps). Fair do's, but why can't vauxhall make ball joints last for more than 40k miles - according to 2 sep. garages it's a common fault! Took it to non-vauxhall garage, to whom i've taken cars previously, for service, MoT, etc. They checked and said it doesn't need replacement: wear - 'yes', excessive wear 'no'. The 2 MoT examiners at the garage both agreed. They advised I appeal against council people. They re-examined car and maintained 'excessive wear'. I'm now between a rock and a hard place. I'm advised if i go to nearest VOSA centre I can have top examiner look at car via full MoT test - at full £50+ rate. If they agree with council opinion I lose full re-test fee. If they agree with my garage, they'll only give partial refund - as there's no argument about headlight alignment, so even if i 'win' i'll still lose money. I have to get car repaired, then council re-test fee of £20.
Had i taken car to own garage, they charge £50 <<kwik fit is £35 this week for MoT>>, if any work's needed they'll advise, do it if necessary and not charge for re-test. That's what i'll be doing next time.

martyn82

maxxi wrote: »

Hi
Have just arrived back from Bristol City Council (Brislington). Car passed first time - that's a first for a few years! Have taken my car to the same garage in Bath for years and always end up having expensive work done - I don't know whether the work was needed or indeed done. I had the added bonus of being able to watch - other garages seem to want you off the premises asap. Staff were thorough and friendly - will take my car back next year. Cost was £48. Thanks to Martyn82 for coffee and the tip!

Thanks Maxxi for compliments.:beer:

martyn82

Hello, just to say that our MOT bay now has 2 ramps to deal with all the extra tests that have been booked by MSE members and friends.

To go to our website, go to bristol.gov.uk and click on Transport and the Streets and click on 'MOT testing' on the quick links section.
There is also a map there to show where we are.
Many thanks again:T

lblizard

[FONT=&quot]As an independent garage owner I think it is disgusting that Martin is implying that we fail cars just to make money on repairs. (as he does on his site and today on GMtv) And that council MOT centres just because they don’t do repairs will pass more!

Believe me VOSA are specific in their testing criteria, and independent garages do not fail cars for any other reason than they do not meet the VOSA stipulated criteria.

At a time when the motor industry is struggling and believe me we are, it is disheartening that once again someone who is not a QUALIFIED mechanic and MOT Tester - is bad mouthing garages.

We have to become qualified, are rigorously monitored and are providing a service that is vital to so many people; people forget to budget for their car and that is why it is always a shock to have to pay for it (and everyday use does take its toll) but could these people live without their car.....[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Yes there are some dubious garages out there, just as there are dubious persons in any industries but there are many of us who are truthful, reliable and simply doing our job to make a living.[/FONT]

Rakesh.Chauhan_2

lblizard wrote: »

[FONT=&quot]As an independent garage owner I think it is disgusting that Martin is implying that we fail cars just to make money on repairs. (as he does on his site and today on GMtv) And that council MOT centres just because they don’t do repairs will pass more![/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Believe me VOSA are specific in their testing criteria, and independent garages do not fail cars for any other reason than they do not meet the VOSA stipulated criteria.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]At a time when the motor industry is struggling and believe me we are, it is disheartening that once again someone who is not a QUALIFIED mechanic and MOT Tester - is bad mouthing garages. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]We have to become qualified, are rigorously monitored and are providing a service that is vital to so many people; people forget to budget for their car and that is why it is always a shock to have to pay for it (and everyday use does take its toll) but could these people live without their car.....[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Yes there are some dubious garages out there, just as there are dubious persons in any industries but there are many of us who are truthful, reliable and simply doing our job to make a living.[/FONT]

I feel sorry for the mechanics that do not create imaginary problems in cars. However, if you're a reputable mechanic then word of mouth normally gives you "work".