10 replies to this topic

[monkeymayor]

Hi 

 

Im about to take my mini for, since ive owned it, 'her' first MOT test...would anyone recommend a garage in North west london that is used to Mini's? or is this not something i need to worry about too much? ie just take the car to any MOT test centre?

 

thanks in advance

 

Kevin

[Miniminx71]

Can't help with a garage I'm afraid but don't make the same mistake I did which was to take the car in when it was well into the red fuel wise (thinking I'd fill it up after at the garage down the road) and they refused to MOT it because they said it didn't have enough fuel to run an emissions test! Duh!!

[Steve G]

I always wonder if it would be better to find somewhere that only does MOT's. Small garages especially Mini specialists might find a few extra faults to make a few extra £££. 

[Craig89]

People do say that VOSA MOT stations are the best as they are not looking for work as mentioned above.

I'm lucky as I have a good garage near me that I have been using for a number of years

[ray.webster]

Council run MOT stations usually have a good reputation, like this.......

...London

Mill Hill Depot, Bittacy Hill, Barnet, London. NW7 1BL
Tel: 0208 3595103

[greenwheels]

I always go to an MoT garage where the inspector did his apprenticeship on what are now classic cars like the Mini. You then know they know what they are looking at, what to look for and will be able to explain any problems.

[monkeymayor]

Nice one, thanks for the feedback. It's helped!

Also, my front seats move a little before the catch kicks in to hold them down, they move about a cm. anyone know if this will cause problems on its MOT?

Thanks again

[monkeymayor]

Council run MOT stations usually have a good reputation, like this.......
...London
Mill Hill Depot, Bittacy Hill, Barnet, London. NW7 1BLTel: 0208 3595103

Thanks, I'll look them up

[AVV IT]

As above, places that don't actually do repairs, such as Workshops/MOT stations for local authority vehicles, can be a good idea to ensure you get an impartial MOT, especially if you intend to take the car away and do any repairs yourself anyway. The only issue with them is that if your car then fails on something minor, that a normal garage could sort for you for a few quid and in just a few minutes, then with a local authority place, you've got all the hassle of taking the car away, and then booking it in order to bring it back again another day.

Personally I'd try and find a mini friendly place, or at least one that specialises in classic/older cars. The issue with mainstream MOT places is that these days they don't always understand how to apply the regs and requirements to older/classic cars, especially if they only have young MOT inspectors that didn't work on minis back in the day when they were an every day car.

[pusb]

Mine is having its MOT on Friday, I've managed to find a local garage that looks like it knows about old cars (has pictures of old Morris Minors and MGB's on its website being tested).

 

I have read a few too many stories of Kwik Fit type mechanics badly flooding Mini engines because they don't know how the choke works!

[StewartB]

I always wonder if it would be better to find somewhere that only does MOT's. Small garages especially Mini specialists might find a few extra faults to make a few extra £££. 

not strictly true most (and i do say most) independant garages will test it properly, find somewhere thats been recommended by family/friends/forum etc going to a small place like that they are more likely to help/advise you, id avoid going to dealerships or kwik fit type places they're looking for stuff to fail.Id also say look to sort advisories as well, as the MOT is just the bare minimum legal requirements.

 

Note, i work in small garage yes its a business and its there to make money but don't think they all want to rip you off at the end of the day the mechanic/mot tester is on a set wage we dont get more/less for more work brought in! in the few short years ive been in this game there seems to be a real trust issue towards garages in general and i think its because theres no requirement for a mechanic to be qualified anyone can start up a garage and call themself a mechanic, yet i cant decide i want to wire up houses without being certified seems abit off when you think of the amount of traffic on the roads