MOTs Cost Cutting MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion Area

mistresslenore

Anybody have any info about Council places in Birmingham? Sounds like it could save me a fortune, also does anyone know if there are any female mechanics in the area?

researcher

researcher wrote:

Only £32 for an mot. They said they're keen to attract more people like us!

They also gave me two new numbers

0845 2235530 - reception
01905 753011 - direct to manager

They are now called Ringway Fleet Services and the depot is only 1 minute from J6 M5.

Just got our MOT done there and it was very efficient. I would definately recommend it to anyone.

Cost is still £32.

mistymike

I recently had my car MOT'd at Colchester Council workshops. They asked me when I would like to book the car in. Took about 40 minutes and offered me a hot drink while I waited. Cost £44.15 and it passed!

koru

Finally tracked down the council garage for Luton:
Central Depot, Kingsway

They seem positively keen to point out the same advantages as Martin's article. See page 5 of council newsletter here: http://www.luton.gov.uk/Media%20Library/Pdf/Chief%20executives/Lutonline/Lutonline%202004/Lutonline%202005/lutonline%20may05.pdf

surfash

I have just asked Taunton in Somerset about the Mot from their testing station and they have said they will only test HGVs and class 4 vehicles that are not able to get into normal testing stations such as caravans, winnibagos, stretch limos etc. I was told that it is their policy not to compete with the local garages and refused to consider a booking. They also said that I would have to help them do the test i.e. press the brake pedal, operate the lights and therefore I had to be present for the duration. Not knowing the legal position I had to accept but I am reluctant to let it go at this. has anyone else had this and if so what did you do. Are they legally obliged to accept the booking?

gpops

If you can obtain some savings in the near future, do so while you can.
I am afraid the arrangements referred to by many will shortly be unavailable to ALL.
As I understand, it the new system, which is already inforce at many centres, is being 'rolled-out' gradually to cover ALL MOT Test Centres.(Many Test Centres have now re-equipped)

The biggest change appears to be that centres will have to be online & logged-on (to the 'Ministry') for the duration a individual tests.
Many centres have already undertaken the costly re-equipping 7 training to conform.
Some of the features & implications of the revised test procedures are:

1. A centre has to log a vehicle on (To the 'Ministry') for the duration of an individual test. (No slipping in a queue)
2. If a vehicle 'Fails' & is taken away for repair, a FULL test (And further £44) will be required. Centres will not be able to just re-test the 'Failed' items.
3. The time & duration of an individual test will be logged by the 'Ministry', along with the precise results of each scheduled item tested.
4. Stringent new levels for some of the test criteria have been set by Government. (More cars will fail eg. emission levels - Government Policy)
5. New automatic printout of test Pass/Fail Certificates are being issued, will electronic copies available to the 'Ministry'.
6. It is intended to widen the scope of this logged-on reporting to include items such as lights, (Linked Beam-Setters) so Tests will become even more stringent.

So what does all this mean?
You will no longer be able to obtain a cheap, dodgy, or instant MOT, it will cost you a minimum of £88 if you car fails its test.
Cars which are anything less than perfectly fit for our roads will be capable of being identified by these and other means, so will crusher fodder.
Enjoy your cheap motoring while you can - it won't last long!

koru

gpops wrote:

If you can obtain some savings in the near future, do so while you can.
I am afraid the arrangements referred to by many will shortly be unavailable to ALL.
As I understand, it the new system, which is already inforce at many centres, is being 'rolled-out' gradually to cover ALL MOT Test Centres.(Many Test Centres have now re-equipped)

What does this have to do with Council test centres? I can't see why the logic of this thread would not continue to apply: a Council test centre which does not do repairs has less incentive to fail you unnecessarily.

gpops wrote:

If a vehicle 'Fails' & is taken away for repair, a FULL test (And further £44) will be required. Centres will not be able to just re-test the 'Failed' items.

I just had a test which was under the new computerised system, which only one of the mechanics seemed to be able to work. But I got a FREE retest, once I had fixed the fault. Yes, they did "officially" have to redo the whole test, but in my case they just logged my car in, tested the fail item, then waited for long enough that the computer would believe they did a full retest, and printed my certificate.

Wig

gpops wrote:

If you can obtain some savings in the near future, do so while you can.
I am afraid the arrangements referred to by many will shortly be unavailable to ALL.
**snip**
So what does all this mean?
You will no longer be able to obtain a cheap, dodgy, or instant MOT, it will cost you a minimum of £88 if you car fails its test.
Cars which are anything less than perfectly fit for our roads will be capable of being identified by these and other means, so will crusher fodder.
Enjoy your cheap motoring while you can - it won't last long!

You are wrong, there is no fixed fee requirement by the government, garages can still charge whatever they want be it 20 pounds or whatever, and they can still give a free retest if they choose to. You can also still have partial retests if the failed items are part of the t&c's in the MOT guidelines.


As to Council MOT's This thread in general, you will not necessarily get a good deal, some council testing stations are VERY busy and the testers are ruthless, because they are not commercial outlets they do not care if you like their decisions or not. A commercial MOT station that is 100% ruthless will quickly find customers do not return so their is quite often a balance of fails Vs Advisory notes.

For an example look at the guy above, took his car to Croydon council, they crawled over his car with toothpicks for 1.5 hours then failed him.

It does not matter where you go Councils/garages/commercial MOT centres you can never know if the tester will be a ruthless prat or not. It makes no difference.

Wig

Saltydog wrote:

The only thing worse than the MOT is the Council Tax, another license to print money, in Scotland I pay £2400 PA for a modest 3-bedroom flat. This out of a State Pension of £6300.

If you are on a low income you can get counciltax reductions. Maybe perchance £6,400 is not the only income you have?

nikkirose1

Cambridge City Council do MOTs. £37, and you have 14 days to bring it back for a free retest:

Cambridge City Council
City Services Transport Dept
Mill Rd Depot
Mill Rd
Cambridge
CB1 2AZ

Tel: 01223 566366/358977