Any - MOT

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Tue 5 Jul 2011 10:28
Any - MOT - barney100

It's time for the MOT and guess what, its brake pads again, change the discs as well sir as there is a little bit of wear. Hmmmm,,,,I had a brake check 2 weeks ago and the guy said they would be ok for quite a while yet. By the time they had issued warnings of impending doom on other bits and bats they got a get it throuigh the test price of £698. I am off to seek a second oipinion.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 11:32
Any - MOT - mm707

May be worth seeing if there is a council run mot centre near you, they do not do repairs so are not looking for work.

Take a look at this site and you will find a link to search for one near you.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 14:12
Any - MOT - unthrottled

I'll second that. The last MOT station I used tried the 'you need discs and pads squire' trick-once. Then the family took their cars elsewhere where they don't try this trick.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 15:20
Any - MOT - piston power

I pay full price mot not these discount places or fast fit centres & generally all is fine.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 16:41
Any - MOT - barney100

Second opinion was much better......£198 including test fee. No mention of discs, pads ok for a short time but not a failure. All the rest adds up to wiper blades and a suspension part and there you are. Saved nearly £500 so it pays to shop around.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 17:56
Any - MOT - brum

You can tell we are in recession/depression.....these cowboys (usually the big boy dealerships ) start with the same old story - fail them on the smallest bit of wear (after all its just the testers opinion) and screw them for ££££.

There ought to be a system by which these establishments can be fined and have their licence as MOT stations revoked with a blaze of publicity.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 18:36
Any - MOT - RT

It's nothing to do with the recession - they've been doing it for decades !!

Luckily, in 1993, I stumbled on an excellent independent worksop that do a thorough job during the MoT itself and then present the options in an open, honest way. They know what they're doing on repairs and have a reasonable hourly rate - suffice to say all our extended family cars are serviced and MoT'd there.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 18:51
Any - MOT - Doc

Have a look at Just Mots. They don't do repairs so are unbiased.

Prices start at £28!

www.justmots.eu/

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 20:22
Any - MOT - unthrottled

...but if you do 'need' any repairs, they can unbiasedly recommend a chap just round the corner!

I don't understand why people begrudge paying fifty quid for an MOT. When you consider the equipment required for brake and emissions testing, the training, and the labour involved, fifty quid is fair. A white collar 'professional' wouldn't pick their nose for fifty quid.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 20:45
Any - MOT - dadbif
Thankfully, here in Spain, all MOT stations (ITV) ate run independently, only testing and reporting results, you have to take your car elsewhere if it requires repair. Fair and unbiased.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 20:53
Any - MOT - Doc

I don't understand why people begrudge paying fifty quid for an MOT. When you consider the equipment required for brake and emissions testing, the training, and the labour involved, fifty quid is fair.

It may well be fair, but why would you want to pay more for the same?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 20:58
Any - MOT - unthrottled

Probably because it won't be the same.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 21:05
Any - MOT - Doc

Probably because it won't be the same.

I spend £35 at Just Mots and get an MOT certificate.

What do you get extra for your £ 54.85?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 21:15
Any - MOT - martint123

Probably because it won't be the same.

I spend £35 at Just Mots and get an MOT certificate.

What do you get extra for your £ 54.85?

Saving a lot of travelling ??

The following locations are the nearest to you. Please click on one for further details
Crayford 170.0 miles away
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Jul 2011 21:15
Any - MOT - RT

Probably because it won't be the same.

I spend £35 at Just Mots and get an MOT certificate.

What do you get extra for your £ 54.85?

Depends whether you simply want a certificate or a full safety inspection - I prefer the latter, I can buy the former down the pub!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Jul 2011 09:05
Any - MOT - Bobbin Threadbare

I just had my MOT and service done, and an aircon top up. Took it to Kwik Fit. He didn't try any 'ooh need new brake bits' on me, just suggested I get them looked at in 6 months. I used them because they had an offer on with the aircon whatsit. Also they're pretty sound in there (i.e. he didn't speak to Mr Bobbin about MY car when we walked in to pick it up).

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Jul 2011 14:37
Any - MOT - unthrottled

i.e. he didn't speak to Mr Bobbin about MY car when we walked in to pick it up

I would love to be there when that happens!

"nice runaround for the missus mate. Very tidy. Does she only use it to nip down to the shops?"

In fact, I have an irrational desire to become a mechanic just so I can do that.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Jul 2011 15:17
Any - MOT - madf

I have gone to Kwikfit for half price MOTs for the past 3 years. Why pay more? No issues at all.

(and half price aircon regass £25 in winter)..

If anyone wants to pay more, give me the FULL money and I'll book your car into Kfit and pocket the difference.

A fool and his/her money etc...

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Jul 2011 15:22
Any - MOT - Bobbin Threadbare

In fact, I have an irrational desire to become a mechanic just so I can do that.

Irrational? I bet you'd enjoy yourself immensely! However, I put it to you that you can only suffer so many black eyes before the enjoyment began to pall ;-)

Anyhow, you ever p***ed off a Scouse woman? We're good at shrieking. Stay warned!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Jul 2011 15:25
Any - MOT - unthrottled

We're good at shrieking

Last time I was in Liverpool I did opine that it felt like being in a carpark full of cars with slipping fanbelts (Mr. Bobbin will explain what that is...)

Have you tried the handbag storage system yet?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Jul 2011 19:48
Any - MOT - Bobbin Threadbare

We're good at shrieking

Last time I was in Liverpool I did opine that it felt like being in a carpark full of cars with slipping fanbelts (Mr. Bobbin will explain what that is...)

Have you tried the handbag storage system yet?

Handbag storage? I can think of somewhere else to shove a spanner now unthrottled...!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 11 Jul 2011 03:00
Any - MOT - 1litregolfeater

Use careful judgement if choosing a council run MOT centre. True, they are unbiased and have nothing to gain by ripping you off. However, like most council services, they run it according to the book, are inflexible, and unsympathetic.

They can be very strict and shine bright lights a private sector light wouldn't reach.

So - if your car's under say, 8 years old, go there, otherwise be more circumspect.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide