Hi,

Just wondering has anyone used their Local Council's own or designated MOT Test Centre?

I ask because they are predominantly used for council vehicles and they are open over the weekend (some on Sundays too); and also have to be available to the General Public.

It sometimes worries me when a garage carrying out an MOT also repairs vehicles too. Some may be inclined to see more fault than a totally impartial test centre that only does MOT's.

In my experience most garages are cool and fair and if say a bulb is out they'll put one in and charge a couple of quid and pass the car. Whereas I know some garages see naive punters who leave their vehicles with them to carry out the test and end up failing for a list of minor things and charge a re-test fee.

Just wondering if anyone has had any noteworthy MOT test experience good or bad.

Mahbs

Edited 8 April, 200818 yr by Polo M

never heard of a council MOT centre but my local garage is brilliant. Cheap and the guys really know there stuff.

I took my old S13 there and was a bit unsure about whether it would pass. but it did and the guys even fixed a couple of bits for nothing aswell. Think he was impressed that he was looking at a 19year old car with no rust. lol

Gotta go there with the Polo next month for its annual so ill see how it goes. I'm confident though.

MOT centre which charge £20 a test .

Checked car over completly .

Test 1

Failed on -

Break lines slight corosion (stainless cant carode all the way through)

Rear View mirror ( toy hanging form rear view mirror)

ARB Bushes (1 Side)

Test 2

Failed on -

Break lines - we sanded everyhting back and Por 15 it .. (we can fit break lines for 4 hours labour they say)

ARB Bushes-we changed one the other wasnt even a advisory .. cant buy them anymore otherwise we would of cahnged both (Apparently now the other 1 needed changing

I wouldnt go to a garage that does work for the car after the MOT again rerally they see a old car and asume you havnt got a clue about it . Must say they got a mouthfull from myself when we went to pick it up .

I wouldnt go to a garage that does work for the car after the MOT again rerally they see a old car and asume you havnt got a clue about it . Must say they got a mouthfull from myself when we went to pick it up .

Damn right good on you.

I usually take my Polo to a local garage/test centre and although I don't know them that well they are OK with me as I usually give the car a once over on the day of the test and they see me with my overalls on or grease all over my hands and just do the test ASAP. Anything minor they come and tell me first before they complete the test.

A friend of mine went for an MOT at another garage on her own with her 6n and I think they were chancing it with her coming out with lots of little faults and basically taking the piss really. Funny how these MOT test centres who charge a reduced fee seem to find lots of little faults that can be fixed for a fee

Edited 9 April, 200818 yr by Polo M

You're not obliged to have them done there,though. I dont go to where they recommend for parts. I take the fail sheet and do the repairs myself,admittedly,but i check the failures to ensure they're true. The Seat failed on a few silly things,the bloke was so picky he failed it on indicators being the wrong colour - they were light orange. Paint on the bulbs was only starting to degrade.

I didnt disagree with the fail,i dipped the bulbs in some orange glass paint i have. Now they're the most orange indicators in Milton Keynes. But even buying new,he told me of a place up the road to get my parts and i made a point of not going there. Just to break the system,and not support one that threatens impartiality. Even though it cost me a discount.

Incidentally,i believe you can also get your car tested at police test centres. The police cars are maintained regardless of cost though,so i expect they're strict. And somehow,i dont like the idea of going to the police for an mot. But still,I'm sure the option is there.

yeah i have had mine done at the local councils mot center

cant complain, gave it a once over before test, did owt that needed duin then took it thru mot, so it passed :)

faultless service

Edited 9 April, 200818 yr by neil_dubgt

Incidentally,i believe you can also get your car tested at police test centres. The police cars are maintained regardless of cost though,so i expect they're strict. And somehow,i dont like the idea of going to the police for an mot. But still,I'm sure the option is there.

I think they also do testing for Hackney Carriages (Black Taxis), however, their level of testing would be ultra thorough so agree with you too.

lets just say iam rather scared about my mot !!!

i've used the MOT centre at my local council's vehicle maintainance depot a few times now

good cos they don't rush the job & i can take the car upto about 8pm (Mon to Thurs)

bad cos they charge £55 (ish)

MOTs are suppose to have a fixed price, are they not?

i paid 45 bar

MOTs are suppose to have a fixed price, are they not?

There's a minimum, but no maximum.

Quick tip, always be present when your vehicle is testted, and ask that they demonstrate any fault to you. They'll want you to wait in the waiting area if you're stopping, personally, if anyone's working on one of my vehicles, I'm generally looking over their shoulder.

Other way round - there is a set maximum that can be charged, but no minimum - I think its £55 maximum this year.....

MOTs are suppose to have a fixed price, are they not?

There's a minimum, but no maximum.

Quick tip, always be present when your vehicle is testted, and ask that they demonstrate any fault to you. They'll want you to wait in the waiting area if you're stopping, personally, if anyone's working on one of my vehicles, I'm generally looking over their shoulder.

Yep, I always wait while they test and you're right a lot of them just refer you to the waiting area and don't like you hanging around the workshop entrance to see what's going on.

I also book my test for last thing on a Friday, that way minds are more focussed on the weekend