£10 mot

[SiC]

I wouldn't even trust the fast fit places around here to touch even my lawnmower!

 

The last time I went into one, was National Tyres and Exhausts for a cheap tracking realignment. Needless to say, they tried to convince me that my car was buggered and needed new tyres+steering rack and they also managed to get the drivers window stuck down. I was sat in reception when I over-heard someone, who came in for just new tyres, being told he needed new pads and discs too as they were worn and also a "safety item". When he asked how long it'll take, the manager responded with "oh no worries, we ordered them already when you booked your tyre appointment ... just in case.". When they approached me to tell me all the problems he "found", I politely said no thanks and took the keys back.

 

With my other half now panicking that the car was fucked, I took it to our trusted local mechanic to give it a good look over. As you probably could guess, the tyres were fine and he really couldn't find anything wrong at all with the steering rack...

 

Those guys charge £50 for their MOTs - which works out about the same as their hourly rate. Like some of the other guys on here, their opinion is that if you don't like that charge, there are plenty of other places around that charge less if you want to use them.

[stephen01]

My local National Tyres is a decent chap, doesn't try to press for work, when I had two tyres on the Honda he even came out and advised me the tyres I'd purchased online were not the best and he did me a better set for the same price, the tyres I wanted infact but there wasn't an option for them 'online' , go figure!

 

I knew my pads were past the best and he advised me of this, didn't offer a price until I pushed him for it, was on par with what I was expecting but he strait up told me they would be cheap pads at this price

 

you pays your money you take your chances..

[scaryoldcortina]

My uncle used a £10 MoT voucher a couple of years ago instead of bringing his saxo to me. It wasn't Halfords, but it was another NATIONAL chain...

Test date 25 June 2012
Test Result Fail
Odometer reading 47,117 miles
MOT test number 9888 5747 2114
Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)
Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)
Advisory notice item(s)
nearside rear tyre sidewall starting to crack
offside rear tyre sidewall starting to crack
nearside front drive shaft oil seal leaking
imbalance on rear brakes


They quoted £600 odd to put this lot right... Disks, pads, shoes, cyls, drums, two tyres and a pair of bottom arms needed to make it safe, also recommended a gearbox rebuild at unspecified cost.

Next day he decided that maybe I should have a look.

Test date 26 June 2012
Expiry date 25 June 2013
Test Result Pass
Odometer reading 47,172 miles
MOT test number 5677 4817 2164
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)
Offside Front Lower Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)
 

Nothing wrong with the brakes, or the tyres - yes there was some small cracking starting on the rear ones but nothing dangerous. The ball joint dust covers wierdly both had a small pinhole and the grease was worming out like toothpaste, and the side of the gearbox was damp with oil. This never got worse.....

[SiC]

I have heard that WD40 on the shocks is quite a common one too