Recommendations for MOT in Leicester

BlueFox

Can anyone recommend a trustworthy MOT test centre or garage in the Leicester area?

We have an 11 year old Ford Ka in need of an MOT in the next few weeks. I'm aware of the council testing station, but am a bit wary in case they are too strict and it needs some work so I have to take it elsewhere anyway. Surely it would be better to take it to a garage who can do the repairs & re-test it in the event it fails?!

I've used main dealers in the past but that seems a bit silly for an 11 year old car.

Premier_2

Better safe than sorry!

Use the local council one. They have no hidden agenda, which other garages may have, other than to ensure the vehicle meets the requirements of the MOT test as they are not under pressure to sell you anything else (because they don't offer any parts or repairs)

If you cannot prepare the vehicle yourself, take it to a trusted local garage to carry out a pre-MOT inspection first. They don't need to be an approved MOT testing station.

waynedance

Garage I work at Ark Motors in Sileby, mot's £35.

https://www.arkmotors.co.uk

Common faults on the KA are rusty sills, front top shocker mounts
No hidden agendas here!!!!

Premier_2

waynedance wrote: »

Garage I work at ...
No hidden agendas here!!!!

You are Terry Tibbs and I claim my £5 ... :cool:

BlueFox

Thanks for your help guys

Can anyone tell me, if the current MOT expires on 5/5/12 & we get it tested before, does the new MOT invalidate the current one? So if it fails, does that mean the car shouldn't be driven at all until it's been fixed & re-tested?

It's been a while since I've had to MOT a car The benefit of having newer ones, trust the Mrs to want her own car and I have to sort the MOT for her

worried_jim

No, your current MOT is valid until 05/05/12.

Premier_2

BlueFox wrote: »

Thanks for your help guys

Can anyone tell me, if the current MOT expires on 5/5/12 & we get it tested before, does the new MOT invalidate the current one? So if it fails, does that mean the car shouldn't be driven at all until it's been fixed & re-tested?

It's been a while since I've had to MOT a car The benefit of having newer ones, trust the Mrs to want her own car and I have to sort the MOT for her

A new MOT does not invalidate a previous one. If it passes, it will run from the expiry date of the previous one (as its within the allowed time frame).
However, if the vehicle fails, it is by definition unroadworthy so should be repaired before it is used on the public highway again.

BlueFox

Premier wrote: »

A new MOT does not invalidate a previous one. If it passes, it will run from the expiry date of the previous one (as its within the allowed time frame).
However, if the vehicle fails, it is by definition unroadworthy so should be repaired before it is used on the public highway again.

So if I get it tested say on 23/4, it fails but the current MOT runs until 5/5 I shouldn't use the car apart from to take it to get it repaired & re-tested?

I've been told by a so-called car expert (not on here) to get it tested before it's due. So what's the point getting it MOT'd before the expiry date? It's just reducing the 12 month MOT to an 11.5 month one surely? Wouldn't it be better to wait till the date it runs out, squeeze the full 12 months out of it and hope for the best?!

Premier_2

BlueFox wrote: »

So if I get it tested say on 23/4, it fails but the current MOT runs until 5/5 I shouldn't use the car apart from to take it to get it repaired & re-tested?

I've been told by a so-called car expert (not on here) to get it tested before it's due. So what's the point getting it MOT'd before the expiry date? It's just reducing the 12 month MOT to an 11.5 month one surely? Wouldn't it be better to wait till the date it runs out, squeeze the full 12 months out of it and hope for the best?!

Unroadworthy cars should not be on the road.
(whether they have an MOT or not)

Cars without a valid MOT should not be on the road (unless travelling to/from a pre-arranged MOT)

By getting an MOT early, you will maintain MOT coverage and so be able to continue to use the car. You will not lose out getting a new MOT early as the new MOT will not expire until 12 months from the expiry of the old MOT (as I explained in my previous post ... actually I got my previous post slightly wrong, it runs from the date of issue but expires 12 months from the expiry of the previous one)