MOTs Cost Cutting MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion Area

autopian · 13 June 2011 at 1:54PM

Kennings Auto centre MOT testing station in Spalding Lincolnshire are doing MOT's at £25.00 till the end of the year. i know this because i'm the manager there. (that's my interest declared)
an MOT should be done to the same standard no matter where you are in the country and is not examined to the same standard as say a service. i reckon over 74% pass with little or no work needed. here are some strange facts...
a chipped or cracked screen may fail but take it out and it will pass, same with bulbs that don't work, remove the headlight unit and its not a failure. normal cars and vans have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm lorries, trucks, coach's and mini bus's have a minimum tread depth of only 1mm where tyre manufactures claim tyre efficiency is compromised below 3mm.

don't know if i'm over stepping the mark but you can book an MOT with us on 01775 724977 and ask for me Chris.
thanks

nedanddebbie · 13 June 2011 at 5:50PM

Anyone know of any council run MOT stations near Peterborough?

balletshoes · 13 June 2011 at 6:36PM

nedanddebbie wrote: »

Anyone know of any council run MOT stations near Peterborough?

apparently there is one in Peterborough -

http://www.clubgti.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=180239

not sure that list is completely up to date though, as the Nottingham City depot isn't listed.

sh2011 · 20 June 2011 at 12:58PM

Just had MOT at the Luton centre on Kingsway. Paid £54.80 and passed without any bother.

Happy to recommend this centre to anyone living nearby.

terra_ferma · 22 June 2011 at 6:22AM

I've been using my local council test centre for a few years, then take it to the garage for servicing, I must have saved a fortune, as before they always found faults.
Also the council guy is very helpful.

thumbs up from me!

Bakie · 22 June 2011 at 9:31AM

Halfords have been offering 1/2 price MoTs for some time now. I had one at the end of last year at the Sevenoaks branch and was charged an extra £15 for headlight realignment - without it the car would have failed. Fair enough one would think, expect the same happened to 5 others that I know of all using the same branch. I think it's a bit of a scam. The mechanic said it was due to pot holes. I watched him adjust the lights it took about 15 seconds

kier · 22 June 2011 at 11:10AM

The government should inspect all mot centers on a regular basis, by sending in cars which have already passed their test. If the center then fails it unnecessarily, they should have their license taken off them and fined heavily. This would deter a lot of these garages from behaving like this. I have personally found that the main dealer garages are more prone to failing cars than the small independents.

dunspendin · 22 June 2011 at 12:38PM

M & D motors in Shoreham charge £25 for the MOT and will give it a fair inspection. Malcolm is a pleasant guy to talk to and very helpful. As a bonus, what he doesn't know about 4x4s isn't worth knowing!

lyndhurst25 · 22 June 2011 at 1:13PM

Just to clarify: oil level is NOT checked as part of the MoT test. So long as the engine runs so they can do the emissions test, the testing station isn't bothered if the sump is at the right level, empty or full of custard! Don't think that just because your car has recently passed an MoT test that the oil level has been checked and is correct.

capt.pugwash_2 · 22 June 2011 at 8:39PM

Don't forget that many local bus depots carry out MOT tests too.I've used my local one for several years and they provide a very honest service.Some private coach/bus companies and some national companies with haulage fleets provide an impartial MOT test service aswell.You can usually spot them in the MOT station section in yellow pages.