MOTs Cost Cutting MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion Area

gpops

Just spoke to my friend who runs a Test Centre, I outlined my original post, to which he broadly agreed with.
However he did say that there is no fixed fee, it is based upon an average of those charged in a local area. Apparently, some garages have been citicsed by the 'Ministry' for 'undercutting' competitors test fees, there are move afoot to standardise charges countrywide.
I mention the point made by koru about his Test Centre's claimed flouting of the Rules & Procedures, he replied that "we are in a honeymoon period it is inevitable that there will be some confusion, error & poor judgement." "If the odd Test Centre wishes to put their Test Status in jepordy that is choice but frankly it will be commercial suicide."

So I stand by most of what I have said, bury your head in tha sand if you wish, time will tell.

Wig

Stand by your waffle if you want, but it is innaccurate as pointed out to you by your mate. There are NO FIXED FEES except a maximum fee, there is no minimum.

Any garage that says there are new rules which mean no more free re tests & no more reduced price MOT's is lying to the customer to stop them from looking around for a cheaper deal.

If we as consumers educate ourselves and take our business to the garage offering the cheaper fees, market forces will stop the garages from hiking the prices. If we all just go along with it then we get what we deserve.

SamirP

Hello there,

I called Reading Borough Council and they told me they don't run an MOT Test Centre as they hire their vehicles.

Can anyone please tell me where I'd find the closest government-run MOT Test Centre for someone living in Reading/Berkshire? Is there one?

Many thanks!

koru

gpops wrote:

Just spoke to my friend who runs a Test Centre, I outlined my original post, to which he broadly agreed with...

I mention the point made by koru about his Test Centre's claimed flouting of the Rules & Procedures, he replied that "we are in a honeymoon period it is inevitable that there will be some confusion, error & poor judgement." "If the odd Test Centre wishes to put their Test Status in jepordy that is choice but frankly it will be commercial suicide."

So I stand by most of what I have said, bury your head in tha sand if you wish, time will tell.

If you look on VOSA's own website (http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/mottestersgarageowners/motcomputerisation/motcomputerisationvtsfaqs.htm) you will find this statement:

"MOT Scheme testing rules are not changing as a result of MOT Computerisation. The free re-test will remain as now, tyres are included in the list of free re-test items except for vehicles in Classes 1 and 2."

The free items are: ABS WARNING, BOOTLID, BRAKE PEDAL ANTISLIP, DIRECTION INDICATORS/HAZARD WARNING, DOORS, DROPSIDES, LOADING DOOR, MIRRORS, REAR REFLECTORS, REGISTRATION PLATES, SEAT BELTS (but not anchorages), SEATS, SHARP EDGES OR PROJECTIONS, STEERING WHEEL, TAILBOARD, TAILGATE, VIN No, HORN, HEADLAMP AIM, LAMPS, EMISSIONS, FUEL FILLER CAP, WINDSCREEN and WINDSCREEN WIPERS AND WASHER, WHEELS AND TYRES. So, as long as you only fail on those, you still get a free retest, as before.

I stand by my original post, which was that you were wrong to say "If a vehicle 'Fails' & is taken away for repair, a FULL test (And further £44) will be required." The rules have not changed, although test stations may have done only partial retests in the past, and may now find it harder to ignore the rules in this way.

What may also have changed is that some test stations may have offered free retests for other fail reasons on a discretionary basis, but if the computer now forces them to do a full retest they may not be able to afford to do this without an extra fee.

Jezza_4

Found the council MOT testing station in Halifax.

Amos Fleet
Battinson Road (near ASDA)
01422 355419

They do MOT's for the general public after 1pm every day.

They charge £35 and don't do repairs (so no axe to grind).

They were very courteous and quick. Many thanks for the tip !

briggsy9

84 Syston Street East (on corner of Cobdon Street)
Cobdon Industrial Estate
Leicester
LE1 2JW

0116 2519185

Car passed first time - even though they don't repair vehicles they still replaced my brake light and realligned position of my headlamps to ensure my car passed. Highly recommended!

Andyboy

Plymouth anyone please?


Anyone alive and well in Plymouth? Scarey lack of replies to request. :wall:

Ivenofinmoney

Someone in the original thread asked about Northants... I use

Gerald White Group,
Banbury Road
Kislingbury
Northhamptonshire
NN7 4AW

Tel:
01604 830 770

They give you 14 day's to return the vehichle for a free retest (regardless of failure reason!!).

Ivenofinmoney

Just thought I would leave my top tips for getting your car through it's MOT...

1) Their are various lists on the web of what is checked in the MOT, check them before you go !!! (you would be surprised how many people fail on a light bulb not working !)

2) Use your free month - Many people don't know you can get you car tested within 30 days of the expiry date of your current certificate, and get the remainder of you current ticket added on i.e. effectively a 13 month MOT and no pressure to accept the test centres quote for getting the work done.

3) If you're unsure if something will pass ring or visit the test centre and ask advice (most will be happy to help - worse they can do is say no!!)

4) Clean - As you work through the items on the test list clean everything you can i.e. brake pipes, rubber gattors, wiper blades (use vinegar) etc. This gives you a good chance of finding any potential faults, and IMO helps give the right impression (** see below)

5) Find something to repair - If you spot something that would need doing within the next 12 months anyway fix it, I have no scientific evidence this works, I just know if I was a tester and came across something that was a subjective or borderline failure, I would look for evidence that the veichle was being well maintained and the problem would be likely be spotted and rectified before the car was tested again in 12 months time.

6) If you can't find a non repair test centre, create the impression that whatever they find you would take the vehicle away for repairs, regardless of your technichal knowledge you should be able to ham this up, I find turning up in my old oil covered overalls, usually gets the message across !!

For added pizaz ask them "if it should fail on anything could you leave it on the ramp after the test and demonstrate the problem to me"


I hope you find this useful, I have been running fairly old cars(15 years+) for over 10 years, with a 1st time pass rate of about 90%.

cubegame

Can anyone suggest a test centre near Tunbridge Wells? Some one on the older thread suggested BT Fleet centres and there is one of those. Anyone used them?