MOTs Cost Cutting MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion Area

kaaloo

malcolm000 wrote: »

For the first time in years - 11 year old car passed the MOT with no problems:j. Used Cardiff council run MOT centre (£45) on Clare Road (029 20343581). Had no problems booking it in and the examiner was courteous, professional and good humoured!:T
Confirms past suspicions when testing at local garages, MOT failed on debatable faults (suspension, rust, etc) just to generate extra business for the garage:mad:.
Only occasions the car did pass was when booked in for a joint MOT/service :rolleyes: and even then, whether for correcting MOT faults or MOT/service bill averaged £350 .
(If it had failed I'm sure it would have been feasible to find a local garage, willing to fix the MOT failure, and return for a partial re-test within the stipulated 10 working days)

I just got my car MOT'd here too. The gentleman you are referring to is called George. He is fantastic. Really pleasant and helpful and always tries to sort out small issues for you without a fuss. I've been taking both my cars there for years as Ive had excellent service from him!

WilliamVelasco

I found the cheapest MOT centre in Wales BETS Service centre, they are currently running a special offer of MOT's from £10 if you print a voucher from their website which can be found by searching BETS Cardiff, BETS Barry or BETS Llantrisant.

They Have branches in Cardiff, Barry & Llantrisant, I had my MOT in the Cardiff branch and I give them a thumbs up.

saluja

Have a look at these websites, for RoSPA and Institute of Advanced Motorists. They promote safe driving and that is very fuel efficient. Whether manual or automatic gearbox, the essence of economy is observation, awareness, anticipation. Look well ahead and get off the gas early so problems ahead are sorted by the time you get there - ie, don't keep on the gas pedal and go straight to the brakes, just to stop at red lights (or whatever problem is ahead of you). Get off the gas earlier, let the car slow down naturally and brake as/when/if necessary. By the time you get to the lights, they'll have often changed to green (or whatever). Have a free assessment from either organisation for advice. Both are non profit organisations.

saluja

after taking apparantly sensible advice about council vs garages for mot, my car was failed on both universal joints at front of car. My nice local garage did the work but suggested we appeal, as there was insufficient wear to warrant mot failure / safety issue. Appeals process was not done, because it's going to cost time and money and if the appeals people agree with anything on fail sheet, you still have to pay. It's not a perfect world, but would agree that council testers are more likely to be safety driven, rather than money driven (at the dodgy end of the garage businesses) - if you've a garage you can trust, perhaps that's the best balance.

Claireg1977_2

I took my M reg Rover to a council run MOT (blackpool) & it basically went thru with 2 advisories, even had a leaky exhust which I thought would have blown it & I only noticed it on they day....

Anyway they said it was fine, might need work on sills for next time, so goes to show you that I would have been stung for welding & exhust :beer: & they only charge £50 for non council workers:T

balletshoes

Very happy to recommend the Council MOT centre at London Road, Nottingham. Just been there, waited while the car was MOT'd, passed with one advisory. Very professional, helpful and friendly staff, the MOT was actually a pleasant experience (except the coffee was pretty awful ).

The current charge here is £48 full price (you get a discount if you're a council employee).

saver.barb

rhysw wrote: »

You may find that 'motcentrefinder dot co dot uk' helps.

I think this site, although the name sounds good, is just adverts, several pop ups too, beware.

Barnetbear

Regarding the council-run MOT centres feature - something I have been telling people about for years, most had no idea such existed.

I took my old Granada Scorpio to Barnet's and so much was wrong that I scrapped it the next day. I suspect some garages do create work for themselves, but actually the only reason I recommend council run MOT centres is that they will perhaps spot and warn you of things that some commercial garages omit, for whatever reason that happens.

mcjordi

if your in the north east theres one more at least missing from the mse list
chilton depot durham county council 01388 816166 ask to be put through to workshop they do public mot's (£41 iirc) great guys.. adjusted my headlights for free too...

tsutton

For Norwich, I have been informed:

Norfolk County Council has just set up a Council MOT test centre for the public and the number for you to contact is 01603 894346. It is based in Fifers Lane Norwich.