For the second time running, I've had SWMBOs car MOT tested at the local council maintenance depot. At £55, there are cheaper MOTs out there, but twice in a row now it's passed with flying colours.

I certainly recommend this for having your MOT done. You definately know that if it does fail, it's in the knowledge that the tester isn't interested in the repair work.

For the second time running, I've had SWMBOs car MOT tested at the local council maintenance depot. At £55, there are cheaper MOTs out there, but twice in a row now it's passed with flying colours.

I certainly recommend this for having your MOT done. You definately know that if it does fail, it's in the knowledge that the tester isn't interested in the repair work.

£55!!!!!! I pay £30 for ours at a little garage and have never had a fail in over ten years.

Cheers

Dave.

I thought it cost them more than 30 pounds to buy the ticket off VOSA and write it out !

£22.50 for mine.....£55..............OW!

The testing station pay around £2 for the test slot, they only pay when a pass is issued and that money goes to Siemens who operate the MOT computerisation system. Obviously this isn't the only testing station expense involved, there are labour, a test can take upto an hour, buildings, equipment and other costs that have to covered by the test fee.

The test fee is capped by VOSA at a maximum amount that can be charged, there is nothing to stop any testing station charging less.

To say that you get an impartial test at a council run testing station (as the tester isn't interested in the repair work), implies that all the non council employed testers have a lack of integrity. VOSA continually assess and grade testing stations according to risk of non compliance, they monitor tests and can pounce at the end of one to test the car themselves, they have the power to revoke the testing stations and individual testers authority to test.

Will the council tester carry out minor repairs, adjusting a headlamp or replacing defective bulbs or wiper blades and the pass the car?, or is it a case of take it away and book a retest?

There's been quite a few anecdotal stories of people who have had a failure, taken it somewhere else (council or not) and its passed. Lack of integrity or just subjective interpretation of the standards?

At least if it fails at a council station you'll KNOW it wasn't because of the garage wanting the repair work. Think about it, most people leave their mot till the day its due, then the garage has you over a barrel. You could even call it extortion.

That's not to say that all (or even many) garages rip you off. But its nice to know, if you don't have the luxury of a long and trusted relationship with a local garage, that you can trust the council. The retest is free aiui.

Costs me £30 at my local council depot (well not local but works council depot). Also helps i know the tester as i support his PC there

At least if it fails at a council station you'll KNOW it wasn't because of the garage wanting the repair work. Think about it, most people leave their mot till the day its due, then the garage has you over a barrel. You could even call it extortion.

Theres a fair few places round here that just do MOT`s, and for a lot less than £55!

Matt

£22.50 for mine.....£55..............OW!

Not too bad - well known tyre place charges £ 35 , ( oh ,and i forgot - £26 for a retest ) .Don't seem to remember any passes day I was in with van for something else .( And there was the question -do you want us to do the repair sir , that way the retest is free................go figure )

Edited 3 February, 201115 yr by VWD