MOT - what do they check ??

[andy15star]

Hello. I went to book my Leon Cupra (not R), for an MOT, which is due 31st August. The car is on it's second MOT, it passed fine on the first one a year ago. The gentleman said to me "Don't you want to book it in before the MOT is due incase it needs anything doing on it ?", so i booked it in a day earlier (30/8).

I have a few questions though:
1) Can an MOT be "Forward Dated" to 31/8/06 if i take in the old MOT certificate (which expires 31/8/06) ? Otherwise it's going to lose a few days every year ?

2) What exactly are they looking for on an MOT, ie. what do they check for and what could be wrong with the car which would make an MOT expensive ??

3) Where is the best place to get an MOT done ? - i had heard that taking it to a SEAT approved dealer could cost more (as they always tend to say the car needs things doing which don't really need doing !) - is that the case, are they allowed to do that ????. I was told to take it to a government MOT centre because they were not allowed to do any repairs, they were only allowed to do the MOT itself and therefore have nothing to gain by failing it and saying it needs things doing ?.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Andrew

 

[Icecavern]

1) yes it can be dated for the 31st

2) loads of stuff, general safety things, brakes work nothing falling off etc.

3) best place is an MOT station that ONLY does MOT's. There's a chain of places that do not do repairs so they have no vested interest in finding anything wrong.

 

[andy15star]

Thanks Icecavern, how do i find an MOT Station which doesn't do repairs ?, what are they listed under ??. I live in Durham, North East England ?.

Kind Regards
Andrew

 

[edc]

Try your local borough council nominated MOT station. Your MOT sheet from last year will show allthe items checked and ticked off or a summary of these are freely available on the net.

 

[andy15star]

Cheers Ed. Do i take it from that to avoid standard MOT centres at all costs ?. See, i already have mine booked in through the garage i got the car from (which is an approved SEAT dealer), could i be ripped off by them, or is that unlikely ?. Surely there is a definitive list on the borderlines of what a car passes or fails on and a garage surely has to stick to that ??. I will cancel the appointment and look for an MOT Service Centre if the general opinion in here is that i should. PS They quoted £35 for the MOT, is that a decent price these days ??

Many Thanks
Andrew

 

[Icecavern]

£35 is cheap for an MOT, I think the guide price is 40 something.

Tell the garage you JUST want the MOT and to not do any work on the car if it's needed. Then if they find something ask them to show you.

You should be OK at a Seat dealer, but you never can tell.

 

[m0rk]

expect that you will need a bulb replaced if the MOT is 'too' cheap

Bulbs that they can fit will only cost you about a fiver.... probably 10x their real price.

so before you go, check lights, wipers, plates, tyres, brake wear, glass (for cracks/scores)

 

[NeilW]

http://www.motester.co.uk/cog.html

Agree with m0rk. There always seems to be a bulb out when you get a cheap MOT. Even when you check it before you take it in. How strange.......

 

[edc]

I get mine done at an MOT and repair place. Once 'failed' on a bulb but didn't fail as they simply replaced it. Cost a few pence. The council places do not do repairs. You can be ripped off anywhere. I'd just go to a test centre that is well known to your friends and family and are happy with. I wouldn't worry about such a young car unless it is poorly treated. Keep an eye on the sheet they make notes on and any advisories.

 

[andy15star]

Many thanks all for the valuable advice ! - yeah, i suppose it's common sense really. I'll say to them before i take it in to ring me if anything needs doing then i'll come in and check what it is !!. As for the bulbs, glass etc, i'll do a spot check at the garage just before i hand the keys over, then they cannot really rip me off with bulbs etc !. They are a pretty good garage, they've always been helpful to me and it passed the last MOT with no problems at all, so i think everything should be fine !!

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[andycupra]

dont forget that most places, (may even all of them now the rules / price has changed) give you a free retest.
I believe you can forward date up to 2 weeks.
So you could put it in and see, giving yourself 2 weeks to rectify it.

You would only get stuck if they found seriously unsafe faults and not let you drive it away. However this is rare as they let you drive off with brakes that dont work! (well)

 

[andy15star]

Lol ! - cheers all !!

Regards,
Andrew