A thread by Katash being suspicious about the integrity of an MOT on his vehicle, reminded me of an article I'd read on moneysavingexpert.com.

Stating the obvious in the money saving advice? Maybe, but there's no harm in being familiar with the content.

A link to the MOT article is at the foot of this post including an easy to navigate list of UK council testing stations in your area.

The article states:
" This isn't about getting a shoddy quick MOT that passes your car. Council-run MOT centres are often some of the best out there, and they run the safety tests stringently.

One MoneySaver tells how, after being quoted £700 for MOT repairs from his local dealer, he took it to his council test centre where it passed without any need for repairs.

He then reported the dealer to his local Trading Standards department, which had it re-tested; it passed with no need for repairs. So he wrote to the dealer requesting his test fee be returned for "non-compliance with the Road Traffic Act", and got a refund.

If you're not satisfied with the way a test has been carried out, get an appeal form, either from the garage in question, from Gov.uk or VOSA's MOT enquiries phone line, and VOSA will re-test your car."

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot

For the last 3 years I have used a garage that just does mot's. No repairs, so no benefit in getting the work if they fail it. Very happy so far. Passed on Saturday with advisory on front tyre inner edge starting to feather.

Well worth trying if you think they may fail something a bit subjective if they benefit from the repair work.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

^^ same here, always use alans test centre in burton on trent, "we only MOT" and they will give an honest assessment.

never let the dealer do it......... There is a sticker under my bonnet which says free MOT for life from guy salmon.  There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

No experience with MOT, but the idea of not having the vehicle tested by someone who has a vested interest in finding repairs sounds like an excellent idea.

But I guess excellent, honest mechanics, known for their integrity, probably have so much work in the shop, they don't need to tout for extra business.

very lucky , I've used the same mot place for past 20 or so years. got to know them well and they always give good advice. turns out trev who owns it, used to service my dads hillman minx back in the 60s 70s where trev started as an apprentice. they do repairs if asked, but mainly mots, he's always chocka.

I have used the local council facility in Wandsworth - really excellent. Even fitted a replacement blown bulb (I had a spare) for free.

Nice one. That's the sort of service I get.