Best place to get an MOT?

MissDVL

Hi

My MOT is due in a few weeks, and I was wondering where the best place to get it done would be?

I used Halfords Autocentre last year as I got a discount through my car insurance but they tried to rip me off by charging for new bulbs they hadn't replaced!

Kwik Fit are doing a fairly cheap deal at the moment but I'm wary now of using chains...has anyone had any good/bad experiences with these?

Also I've heard using a council testing centre as opposed to a garage is better as they don't do repairs so are less inclined to fail you to get the labour on top of the test? Anyone have any more info on this?

Many thanks

s_b

what about the place that services your car?
if they dont actually do mots ask who they use is always my advice

MissDVL

Well I'm a bit of a service tart LOL, generally look for whoever has got a deal/Groupon on. Last one I used was about 50 miles away from me so not very convenient unfortunately.

Stephen_Leak

For details of the local council MOT test centres, see here ...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot

I've used mine, and found it reasonably priced. And the knowledge that they could be trusted was priceless.

There are other firms that survive on just doing MOTs, and firms that do both MOTs and servicing that are trustworthy, but the trick is finding them, of course.

Unfortunately, it does seem to be the case that the cheaper the MOT, the more likely you are to get ripped off with unnecessary work.

Notmyrealname

Utter rubbish. Never been ripped off, always used garages that do repairs.

BlueC

I find MOT test centres are the best place to get an MOT.

scotsbob

Another vote for the council MOT centre

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot

They don't do repairs, don't sell any parts and have no incentive to rip you off.

Just do a search of this forum for the number of people who have been conned by garages offering cut price MOTs

Valvoltec

Hi,I was always told be aware of a free lunch,and my former boss would never discount his price,we would be a few quid cheaper than the full test fee but never half price.We were also busy.

If its half price the garage has to do twice the work to make the same money,given that the test fee is the cost of one skilled man and one unskilled assistant,and also takes into account the overheads of the place,ask your self what fool would do twice the work for the same amount.

If its a free mot with service,the garage is saving time,they have already inspected and tested the,lights emissions etc.

I was never ever, asked to fail a vehicle other than for,a legitimate reason,and there is no way,I would,A valid mot tester certificate was a gateway to plenty of jobs.Would you destroy your professional reputation for your current employer?

I have used plenty of different situations for MOT tests,I use a local garage in my village at the moment its convenient,there is a nice cafe opposite.Never had a problem.

If you think that the test is so flawed how come the results,are so consistent the failure rate is the same and follows the same pattern,most cars fail on lights,not hard to fix a bulb before you go is it.

Consider this in recent times my car failed,due to worn lower balljoints,yes they were worn,replacements arms were £100 chinese or £250 genuine.Labour rate £50-£200 dependant on garage/ main dealer.
The same failure on the same car,would have produce quotations of between £150 and £450 and you start to mistrust people.
Next year,or maybe one after you try somewhere else,the chinese poor quality,wishbones are no good,another failure,you augue that they have done them already.
You pay again but at the back of your mind,you are mistrusting again but now two garages,you move on to another garage.

Consider that this is a safety related test,and its basic purpose is to ensure that i your vehicle meets the minimum requirements/standards to be on the road.If you struggle to get your vehicles through the test you are not maintaining them properly.
If you buy on price you get cheap,if you buy with knowledge you get a product or service that meets your requirements.
I can never understand,the average motorist,happy to stand in a glass palace giving ££££ to a suited gent for a car then reluctant to pay £40 quid to check to see if its safe.

s_b

Valvoltec wrote: »

Hi,I was always told be aware of a free lunch,and my former boss would never discount his price,we would be a few quid cheaper than the full test fee but never half price.We were also busy.

If its half price the garage has to do twice the work to make the same money,given that the test fee is the cost of one skilled man and one unskilled assistant,and also takes into account the overheads of the place,ask your self what fool would do twice the work for the same amount.

new mot station by me i could hit t with a well aimed stone,the land cost £400,000 never mind how much the new build cost,they are charging the full rate and are dead and i mean dead
my mot station charges £35 and you have to book
dearest is not always best because you can bid your back teeth that they need to find work to sustain their posh clean floor because that is what they have
mines got skid marks on it:D
one final thought if mot station still needs an assistant then they are only needed 8 minutes per test tops:)

MissDVL

Thanks guys for all your help! Think I will check out my local testing stations and see what I can find.

Valvoltec

S b,you need an assistant,to answer the phone,take bookings,take payment+mash tea!
£40,I pay plus the cost of a full English,and I can see most of whats happening through the cafe window.
Maybe I am treated different because,they know I will not be leaving the work with them.My lady is jubilant when she emerges with a pass first time.