MOT due 7 weeks before scheduled service

studyingitalian

MOT due 4 December and service on 26 January. Is it sensible and money saving to bring the service forward and do them both together? Or is it more money saving to wait for the service until the date it is due?

Stubod

..yes, I would be combining the two, service with MOT...saves 2 trips to the garage and being without a car for 2 days.

(It would be normal if the car is serviced a minimum of every 12 months that the two would be combined "naturally"?)

studyingitalian

Thanks Stubod. I bought the car last year in July and the garage had done the first MOT early. Then there has been the Covid MOT freeze, giving a 6 month delay.

Grumpy_chap

Many people would bring the two into line.
The other way of thinking is to get the MOT (assuming you expect a pass) and anything minor (advisory) can be scheduled in for repair at the service at the end of January. thus time to save up and avoid a big bill in the run up to Christmas.

studyingitalian

Grumpy_chap said:

Many people would bring the two into line.
The other way of thinking is to get the MOT (assuming you expect a pass) and anything minor (advisory) can be scheduled in for repair at the service at the end of January. thus time to save up and avoid a big bill in the run up to Christmas.

Thanks. I don’t expect any problems, it’s not done 3,000 miles since I got it. I’m taking it out for one 25 mile run a week to keep it ticking over and otherwise it’s hardly being used.

neilmcl

studyingitalian said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Many people would bring the two into line.
The other way of thinking is to get the MOT (assuming you expect a pass) and anything minor (advisory) can be scheduled in for repair at the service at the end of January. thus time to save up and avoid a big bill in the run up to Christmas.

Thanks. I don’t expect any problems, it’s not done 3,000 miles since I got it. I’m taking it out for one 25 mile run a week to keep it ticking over and otherwise it’s hardly being used.

That's what I thought when I recently took mine in for it's 2nd MOT (and service). Hardly done any mileage this year, already on a low mileage car anyway, everything was driving fine. Turns out I had a slight leak from the rear diff and a cut in one of the tyres. MOT failure, new tyre and replacement seal for the diff. On top of the service that I had as well, it was nearly £1K out of my pocket.

greatcrested

Grumpy_chap said:

The other way of thinking is to get the MOT (assuming you expect a pass) and anything minor (advisory) can be scheduled in for repair at the service at the end of January. thus time to save up and avoid a big bill in the run up to Christmas.

I'd think about it the other way round. Do both together so the service can sort out any issues and guarantee the MOT passes 1st time.

Grumpy_chap

greatcrested said:

Grumpy_chap said:

The other way of thinking is to get the MOT (assuming you expect a pass) and anything minor (advisory) can be scheduled in for repair at the service at the end of January. thus time to save up and avoid a big bill in the run up to Christmas.

I'd think about it the other way round. Do both together so the service can sort out any issues and guarantee the MOT passes 1st time.

This thread proves that is not always the case:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6204262/failed-mot-when-paying-for-service-and-mot/p1

studyingitalian

Update - I rang the garage today and booked the MOT. I’ve decided to leave the service for now. I checked and it’s not done 1,000 miles since the January 2020 service! 

Thanks everyone, your thoughts are much appreciated.