Council Run MOT's

Tucker

And the moral there is that you know what's what and it will be fairly apparent to the tested / mechanic too.

The real test is when it's someone who VERY clearly only knows how to work the remote key and the CD player and they go to the same place and pound signs start flashing in front of his spanners.

anewman

The garages that tend to use the MOT to bring in unnecessary work should have more people complaining to VOSA in my opinion then maybe they'll stop doing it.

I've found a place that does the MOT but doesn't do work. They charge £42. I feel somewhat reluctant to try elsewhere to save £22 that *may* fail it unnecessarily.

Wig

I disagree that it is apparent to the mechanic that I know what to look for. I don't ever tell them before hand that I do my own repairs (some people do this but I never have). All they see in me a bloke delivering a car. I know plenty of blokes who are completely clueless about cars. And not all women are clueless either.

oldagetraveller

As has been already mentioned, why not give your local bus operator a call. They might have a centre near you which caters for the general public.
I always use an Arriva place locally and the two testers there are excellent reallists and use a lot of common sense.

Magpie27

Tucker wrote: »

Saintjanet - I think the OP is just looking for a service that has no interest in trying to sell you brakes, discs and the like that aren't required to pass the MOT. Many garages will attempt to take advantage and advise on repairs that may need doing at some point down the line, but not necessarily now.

quote]
Hi Tucker you have my point exactly I don't have a clue about cars and I've been ripped off by garages before. My family live aboard and I'm single mum so I need to find somewhere I can trust. Once I know if there is anything wrong with my car I can then ring around for quotes at least sound as if I know what I'm talking about!!

Saintjane it wasn't that I wasn't interested in your help it's just that I don't know any good garages and I don't have anyone who can recommend me one.

Keith

Magpie27 wrote: »

Saintjane it wasn't that I wasn't interested in your help it's just that I don't know any good garages and I don't have anyone who can recommend me one.

Post 5?

saintjanet

Magpie27 wrote: »

Tucker wrote: »

Saintjanet - I think the OP is just looking for a service that has no interest in trying to sell you brakes, discs and the like that aren't required to pass the MOT. Many garages will attempt to take advantage and advise on repairs that may need doing at some point down the line, but not necessarily now.

quote]
Hi Tucker you have my point exactly I don't have a clue about cars and I've been ripped off by garages before. My family live aboard and I'm single mum so I need to find somewhere I can trust. Once I know if there is anything wrong with my car I can then ring around for quotes at least sound as if I know what I'm talking about!!

Saintjane it wasn't that I wasn't interested in your help it's just that I don't know any good garages and I don't have anyone who can recommend me one.

Fair enough,but i still think that building up a relationship is important,we had an old type mini for seven years,took it to a garage a friend suggested the first time the MOT was due,passed and never failed again,had a couple of small problems they even sorted for nothing over the years. They service all our family cars now including a corsa an MX5 and a BMW soon!!Janet