MOTs Cost Cutting MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion Area

zipman23

Nobbie1967 wrote: »

Not impressed with the cost of the wiper blade (£16) from Halfords store I visited first. They are most definitely not a cheap place for parts, you are much better off going to small motor parts store, a chain like GSF or ebay.

I think that's why they offer such cheap deals on MOTs and fittings etc because you have to buy the parts from them

hareng

Exactly my way of thinking, charge less fail it and repair at full chat.

Usually take ours to a private garage one of the few you can trust.
Mine failed on headlight alignment even though it was adjusted and serviced by main dealers as in FSH.
Stop light bulb out as well.
Both duly put right £50.

adrtucker

have just experienced a private MOT for the first time in 15 years (spoilt with company cars) and decided to use a 'Big' tyre and exhaust centre doing it for 35 quid....mistake, they failed it, fair enough, but then had taken apart the car expecting me too automatically pay the 350 quid required to repair the brakes and exhaust.....he looked very shocked and angry when I said I would take it away and do it, giving me all the talk about you never know what some people will do to it..!
I am competently mechanically and fixed eveything for 66 quid.......just booked the re-test for tomorrow, and by his attitude it would suprise me if they found something else wrong....just so angry about this.
Wil be using council run ones in the future...!

zudecke

anywhere near central london that someone can recommend? any experiences with said company?

Miss_Bambini87

After reading this site &seeing how good council run centres are, I trawled through MSE to find a local one in Lincoln but couldn't fine one. Eventually found one in neighbouring Newark. Used them today for my M.O.T today.

The staff were very friendly &cheery and the location is smart with plenty of parking.
My car passed, got an advisory that was minor but all fine &efficient. I had a headlight out of alignment, and the M.O.T tester fixed it for me for free!

The M.O.T cost me £45, some people may think it's on the high side with all the offers about but this is a small cost to pay for the quality and service! I'm female so to find a garage where I don't feel intimidated is hard but felt welcome here.

Details are:
Newark & Sherwood District Council run MOT Centre
on Brunel Drive, Newark. Tel No. 01636 655566.

helenjimmy

just had my car mot at crane bank garages wallasey 182A poulton road wallasey ch44 4bz it was only £29.95 on a special offer and comes with free retest if needed up to 10 days
had a bulb out,and head lamp aim was to high which they fixed/ replaced free of charge and passed mot
and they also placed in car complementry tin of travel sweets and not a cheap tin at that, would defo recommend all to use

suzywoo1

Hi All

Took my Fiesta to the Bamber Bridge council MOT centre today and guess what? - passed with flying colours Excellent service took less than an hour and the guy said "see you next year" - I think they will - fee for MOT was quite high at £54 but well worth it for not getting totally ripped off with unnecessary repairs

adtone

Re: Council Test Centres,

Called Glasgow Council MOT centre today and if you want your car MOT'd best get it booked now as the earliest the guy could offer me was DECEMBER !!!!!

Was looking to book it in for around 2 weeks time and his consistent response was that " Taxis have priority, Taxis have priority, repeat "

When asked if they were solidly booked with Taxis' until December 2011, geuss what...... " Taxis have ....."

Ill be honest, it sounded more like, " Can't be bothered, Can't be bothered....."

Anyone else had a recent experience with this centre ?

Cheers
adt

mushtiff

I was going to take our car to its usual garage 6 miles away for its MOT, but they couldn't fit it in before the due date. Needed a trusted test centre, so onto MSE and saw about using Council services. I realised the Oxford Council testing centre was 5 mins walk from my house. As it was the car's first MOT and it was recently serviced, we thought it should pass. So I phoned, easily got an appointment, and am just back with my certificate in hand. Very convenient, friendly, efficient, and I could trust the outcome. £54 well spent!

Stinkymutt

I am absolutely livid after reading this article!!!

The article says
'By law these test centres (though not taxi or Crown stations) must be open to the general public, and as they generally only carry out tests and don't do repairs, there's no incentive for mechanics to find faults that don't exist.'

My husband is an MOT tester - his ONLY concern when doing an MOT is that the vehicle is road worthy and safe, not looking for faults that aren't there!!! Just because a garage does or doesn't do repairs does not mean you should get a different MOT!!

It is well known that dealers are more expensive than independent garages - how do you think they pay for those fancy showrooms, full of salesman standing around doing nothing? So their bills for repairs will be more expensive and they may be more inclined to advise on additional repairs that aren't essential.

This article makes all mechanics sound untrustworthy, which is not true and makes council run MOT stations sound a bit slap dash, like they will pass any old car, which is quite worrying!

If you're not happy with your garage, try another one - there are some good ones out there!! If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!!!