Handbrakes and MOT's

Jez · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:29

Khaaan! said:
My MOT cost £25 more than yours? So you got your MOT done for £30?!

MOT's have been less than £30 across the country for years.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/CARS/mot/mot_centre.jsp

That is a link from the front pageof autotrader. Hardly cryptic, nor a new thing!

[TW]Fox · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:30

Khaaan! said:
Nationwide, got one just down the road from home. Could have told me this beforehand ffs!

I probably mention it every year on here! I never, ever pay full price for an MOT unless a warranty mandates it.

mrk · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:31

Bah I must have missed it then :/

Oh well, next time I will remember, it's in my Google calendar now so cannot be missed!

Cheapest MOT I ever had was £45 too.

Jez · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:33

Its not even something which needs to be mentioned, surely? Its a big link on the front page of autotrader, it is mentioned on moneysupermarket, moneysavingexpert, probably plenty of others. The "offer" has been on for years upon years.

Its just...obvious? Added to that virtually every garage in town (town being Henley-on-Thames, hardly a poverty stricken backstreet garage laden area) has banners outside advertising MOT's for about that price too.

mrk · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:36

Well considering I don't read autotrader (print or online) and neither do I browse money supermarket and the fact that I have all ads on all sites blocked in my browser means any other sites that might have advertised it somewhere I'd be none the wiser it was going on.

Plus, no garages local to me had obvious signs for half price MOT that I noticed on my travels recently! I mean it's not something I'd miss, half price MOT and all...

Jez · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:39

No big loss in any event, i assumed it was common knowledge that the MOT "price" is a maximum and not a fixed one.

Turn those ad banners back on, that ad blocker just cost you £27

Biohazard · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:44

I'm not too fussed with the cost of MOT, I'm happy to keep taking it back to my usual than faff around with people I don't know to save a tenner a year.

Just me though.

mrk · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:45

Yeah I guess it's going to be taken on the chin this time round, still, was worth sitting in the M3 DCT for an hour at least

Oh and free hot drinks and biscuits \m/

[TW]Fox · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:46

Biohazard said:
I'm not too fussed with the cost of MOT, I'm happy to keep taking it back to my usual than faff around with people I don't know to save a tenner a year.

What sort of faff is there? You turn up, hand the keys over, go back 45 minutes later, pay £30 less and drive away.

Steedie · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:48

I was a mug and paid £54 to take it to BMW for my MOT last week. But I just love the receptionist, and looking around the cars and having a play keeps me entertained

Wicksta · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:51

Biohazard said:
I'm not too fussed with the cost of MOT, I'm happy to keep taking it back to my usual than faff around with people I don't know to save a tenner a year.

Just me though.

You have to love people who call nearly £30 a 'tenner' to make their argument look better.

[TW]Fox · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:53

Steedie said:
I was a mug and paid £54 to take it to BMW for my MOT last week. But I just love the receptionist, and looking around the cars and having a play keeps me entertained

You can look around the cars whenever you want for free.

Plus where were you going to do if it failed, accept BMW's quote for repairs at £80+ an hour?

Biohazard · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:55

[TW]Fox;17750176 said:
What sort of faff is there? You turn up, hand the keys over, go back 45 minutes later, pay £30 less and drive away.

The faff in looking, distance and people who don't know the car or me.

I like my testing station they aren't monkeys and they aren't OTT, they allow me certain leeway as well, ie a burst gator or the likes.

DRZ · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:57

In what world is a tenner really £30? :confused:

[TW]Fox · 9 Nov 2010 at 12:58

Biohazard said:
The faff in looking, distance and people who don't know the car or me.

Looking? You can book a £27 MOT online within 90 seconds after searching google for 10 seconds.

'People who dont know the car or me'.

Whats that supposed to mean? You are getting an MOT not seeing your GP. Why do they need to 'know the car' or 'know you' unless you want somebody who will pass unroadworthy vehicles or something? :confused:

Wicksta · 9 Nov 2010 at 13:02

DRZ said:
In what world is a tenner really £30?

No doubt we'll have a MikeHiow standard of reply where Biohazard says "I never said I paid £55", despite that being what the whole of the conversation was about.

Jez · 9 Nov 2010 at 13:04

Biohazard said:
The faff in looking, distance and people who don't know the car or me.

I like my testing station they aren't monkeys and they aren't OTT, they allow me certain leeway as well, ie a burst gator or the likes.

Not understanding you at all, nationwide autocentres are everywhere as an example of the chain being primarily discussed. It takes no time at all to find one. MOT is an MOT, they do not need to know the car or you.

Dangerous Dave · 9 Nov 2010 at 13:13

Local garage near me does a MOT for £25 even the local Vauxhall garage only charged £30 when my grilfriend's car was done (needed for the warranty).

Django x2 · 9 Nov 2010 at 13:19

I'd rather pay £55 and know that BMW are handling my car than some greasey spanner monkies who can't even change oil.....

oh, wait

Biohazard · 9 Nov 2010 at 13:22

[TW]Fox;17750282 said:
Looking? You can book a £27 MOT online within 90 seconds after searching google for 10 seconds.

Yes, I've used the internet before thanks.

[TW]Fox;17750282 said:
'People who dont know the car or me'.

Whats that supposed to mean?

What it means, they are friends and they know me and the car.

[TW]Fox;17750282 said:
You are getting an MOT not seeing your GP.

Well done.

[TW]Fox;17750282 said:
Why do they need to 'know the car' or 'know you' unless you want somebody who will pass unroadworthy vehicles or something?

They don't, its something I've got used to.

And no its not about lack of roadworthyness, just trust and ease about small issues. If an indicator bulb goes on the way, .. or a gaiter has split etc something along those lines they will pass it with out having to present it again because they know I'll go and do it immediately.

It's not a hard or fast rule, it's like petrol. I could drive around looking for that penny cheaper, or just fill up.