7 replies to this topic

[Odds]

Any recommendations for a mini friendly MOT tester in the Thames Valley (Bracknell/Reading) area ?

TIA

[Chris1275gt]

Hicks in woodley mot'd my 1975 1275gt last April no problems, but you can take it to any test centre as the same criteria is applied to the car at all test centres depending on what year it is.

[Quinlan minor]

It's important to check which type of hoist they use.

I had the unfortunate experience of a former Mini Specialist Garage putting mine on a pad hoist, located under the floor, buckling the floor panels.

[imack]

It's important to check which type of hoist they use.
I had the unfortunate experience of a former Mini Specialist Garage putting mine on a pad hoist, located under the floor, buckling the floor panels.

Mot testing has to be done on a four poster ramp or over a pit, but that doesn't stop them jacking the car incorrectly on the floor pans.

[MikeRotherham]

This happened to me the last time I had mine MOT'd. Prior to me buying it someone had jacked the car up incorrectly but the damage wasn't too bad. Following the last MOT the damage was really bad, the sound deadening had cracked and lifted. Problem was I never noticed the damage until months later when I lifted the carpet to check for damp and spotted it!!! Too late to do anything about it.

[johnv]

I take my mk2 to the Bagshot garage with the dinosaur outside.. No complaints

[greenwheels]

I've had to explain, more than once, that the slinging brackets, these - http://www.minispare...x|Back to shop, are not jacking brackets. Jacking is meant to be under the subframes.

Unfortunately the 'old boys' MoT testers are retiring and, with all due respect, their replacements don't always know what they are dealing with. I always go for the smaller country type garage where you can talk to the mechanic/owner and explain you do your own maintenance and you think of an MoT on your Mini as your own annual exam and can you watch closely the test so if there are any problems you can discuss them with the 'expert'. It's good if you can build a relationship with your tester, that's a professional relationship, don't let him think your after an easy pass. Never go to a garage where they insist you sit in a little room away from the tester testing.

Join your local Mini Club and get their recommendations.

 

[Quinlan minor]

I've had to explain, more than once, that the slinging brackets, these - http://www.minispare...x|Back to shop, are not jacking brackets. Jacking is meant to be under the subframes.

Unfortunately the 'old boys' MoT testers are retiring and, with all due respect, their replacements don't always know what they are dealing with. I always go for the smaller country type garage where you can talk to the mechanic/owner and explain you do your own maintenance and you think of an MoT on your Mini as your own annual exam and can you watch closely the test so if there are any problems you can discuss them with the 'expert'. It's good if you can build a relationship with your tester, that's a professional relationship, don't let him think you're after an easy pass. Never go to a garage where they insist you sit in a little room away from the tester testing.

Join your local Mini Club and get their recommendations.

 

There's also a tendency for the "MOT Centre"  type places to be concerned that "the back brakes don't work properly!", because the readings aren't on the same level as a disc braked, two and a half tonne 4x4's.

If you set them up to make the average young tester happy, it'd swap ends first time you jumped on the pedal in the wet.

A mechanic would understand that.