Many individuals will be eager to share their MOT center horror stories with you in an effort to spare you from going through what they did, as is the case with everything car industry-related. Unfortunately, there are always dishonest mechanics out there who put profit ahead of customer satisfaction. They will overcharge you, convince you that your car has problems costing hundreds of pounds, and then hope that because you are unable to discern the truth, you will simply comply and pay.
How can you ensure that you are not the next horror story when your automobile is up for a MOT? If you adhere to these recommendations for selecting a top MOT test location, it can be avoided. First of all, MOT centres are governed and should be confirming this by showing the three-blue-triangle mark. Second, the MOT has a set cost. The garage cannot choose how much it costs for the MOT CLASS 7 Farnham. The MOT cost schedule should be posted on their wall so you can see it for yourself. It does vary based on the size and kind of vehicle, but the accompanying document should provide you a clear breakdown of their rates. to the garage is very easy to read and understand).
Any costs above and beyond the MOT fee should either be agreed upon in advance or the garage should halt work and contact you for your consent before they proceed. Minor issues that can be put right, provided they meet the guidelines, will qualify for a retest at no further charge. More major issues will require a full retest, and you will have to pay the whole fee again.
One good idea is to talk to friends and family and get a few opinions about where they take their vehicle for an MOT and whether they feel they are treated well by their MOT center. Word of mouth is still very powerful in the motor industry, and a great MOT test center will be worth its weight in gold, so take advice from others who may have some experience and knowledge.
Feel free to pop into a garage and have a look around. There are guidelines widely available on the Internet, for example, that show you what you should be looking for at MOT centers. These are the criteria a garage will have to have met to be awarded its MOT test centre status, and there is a lot on there that can be checked by a visual inspection when you pop in. A good MOT center will not make you feel pressured or hurried but will take the time to talk through the work that needs to be done, the reasons why the test failed, and what they need to do to put it right for you. There is also a comprehensive appeals process to protect you, but check in advance as you must follow certain rules to be entitled to appeal. For example, if you have failed the MOT, you must not fix the car before you appeal; it needs to remain in the state it was in at the time.
