1st MOT - at 3 year old

[DonjSZ5]

Have we used the supplying dealer or an independent MOT centre.

 

[StevesTruck]

I don't know - who have you used?

[KenONeill]

Strange question. All I'm going to say is that IME most dealerships except Arnold Shark are not also MoT test centres.

[Jigger72]

If I understand the question correctly, you can use anyone for a MOT test.

[DonjSZ5]

Strange question. All I'm going to say is that IME most dealerships except Arnold Shark are not also MoT test centres.

a reasonable Q with a strange A.

[KenONeill]

Have we used the supplying dealer or an independent MOT centre.

 

I'm reading this as "Where did DonjSZ5 get their MoT done?"

a reasonable Q with a strange A.

You see why that seems like a strange question to ask anyone else, particularly an internet forum?

[DonjSZ5]

OK, did you use your supplying dealer or an independent for the first MOT.

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

We offer an early mot test whilst the vehicle is still in warranty, this way if there are any warranty related failures they can be repaired free of charge.

We also know of the types of failure that occur as we see them on a regular basis, where others may not spot them.

[Ootohere]

Plenty of the hundreds of Arnold Clark Dealerships do have MOT Testers.

Also plenty of Skoda, VW, Audi or Seat Dealerships might do the MOT offer and have the MOT done at another Dealership.

 

As to having the Supplying Dealership or a Volkswagen Group Main Dealership do the MOT,

lots of people go to an Independent and get the real low down as you can before the Warranty Expires, 

then if they want have a Service & Warranty work if any is required while in Warranty.

 

Not that you would not trust Main Dealers, but then some are just untrustworthy and a bit snide.

 

You do expect as in post #8 that they will know the types of failures and spot them, 

odd then how often 'They have never heard of that'. or such like.

That is just the places that hire employees called 'Tommy' though.

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

Unfortunately some dealers have either a high staff turn over or employ inexperienced people. Both lead to the "never heard of that" scenario.

Some would rather have the work as a retail job because it pays a slightly higher labour rate but there's no guarantee you'll end up doing the work due to mistrust.

I know of a very large dealer group for another prestigious brand who charge £150 an hour and charge full whack for MOTs, they then drive your £50k motor round to the local tyre fitting place who charges £25 for the pleasure!

Edited 8 March, 2016 by James@RRGRochdale

[CWARD]

Take your car to an independent MOT centre preferable one that only tests and doesn't do repair work. You will get a proper test and anything that isn't maintainance get it to the dealers for fix before the warranty runs out.

[DonjSZ5]

Take your car to an independent MOT centre preferable one that only tests and doesn't do repair work. You will get a proper test and anything that isn't maintainance get it to the dealers for fix before the warranty runs out.

As recommended and booked thanks.

 

Plus, it's female friendly.

Edited 13 March, 2016 by DonjSZ5

[DGW]

Some years ago one of the Skoda dealers local to me was offering a half price MOT test and a free valet in conjunction with a service so I used them for the 3 year service which was due. The MOT was outsourced to an adjacent test centre which issued a fail for wiper blades on what was the car's first test. I had driven to the dealership in pouring rain and the wiper performance was good. So in addition to paying full dealership rates for a service I ended up paying for a set of blades I would not otherwise have replaced. The dealership were the losers in the end because I have not been back to them in the past 7 years.

I now use a couple of MOT test centres which I know and can trust to be fair.

Edited 13 March, 2016 by DGW

[DonjSZ5]

Some years ago one of the Skoda dealers local to me was offering a half price MOT test and a free valet in conjunction with a service so I used them for the 3 year service which was due. The MOT was outsourced to an adjacent test centre which issued a fail for wiper blades on what was the car's first test. I had driven to the dealership in pouring rain and the wiper performance was good. So in addition to paying full dealership rates for a service I ended up paying for a set of blades I would not otherwise have replaced. The dealership were the losers in the end because I have not been back to them in the past 7 years.

I now use a couple of MOT test centres which I know and can trust to be fair.

My worst experience was a few years ago, again local MOT garage, when my old A4 failed on one thing...a smelly hanging from the rear view mirror. Like you I have never used them again. Ohhh and I have never hung a smelly there since.

[rum4mo]

My worst experience was a few years ago, again local MOT garage, when my old A4 failed on one thing...a smelly hanging from the rear view mirror. Like you I have never used them again. Ohhh and I have never hung a smelly there since.

 

Yes, I was stupid enough to leave a smelly on wife's Polo once, it was reported and removed, so the MOT was issued - maybe on the free retest.

 

One thing about main dealers out sourcing MOT work, it does become clear once the certificate, or as is, a copy of the certificate is handed to you - I found this out first at Seat main dealer, then this year at Audi main dealer, so that just meant the Ibiza got its next MOT at a local MOT place as the continuity had been broken by the dealer.

 

Next comment, what happens to web cameras, I'm guessing that they should be left as being removable so as to avoid trouble at MOT time?

[DonjSZ5]

Passed the MOT without any major issues and only two advisories, both rear tyres. While well within the limit they are showing signs of uneven wear on the inner edge. They are the factory originals and have covered 29k miles.

[CWARD]

When you replace them get a four wheel alignment at the same time.

[DonjSZ5]

When you replace them get a four wheel alignment at the same time.

Yes and I forgot to mention the MOT cost £39.

[CWARD]

It's about what I pay but don't mind paying the bit extra for their independence. I have a service package with DM Keith which includes the MOT's but I don't trust them to make up a whole of work to bump up their fee. This is after my last service with them whne they wanted to change the brake discs and pads because they were warped. There was a little pad build up on the disc that needed cleaning off, took me 5 mins to do and now zero braking vibrations which it didn't before I dropped the car off. They also wanted £195 plus fitting for an oil temp sensor that wasn't working and reported to them whilst in warranty but they couldn't get the car in until a few days after it expired. The reason behind the oil temp not working was because it was switched off. When I has my tow bar coded with VCDS it was switched back on. Skoda dealers have so far left a bad taste in my mouth so will do the majority of my maintenance myself from now except what I've already paid for. 

[DonjSZ5]

It's about what I pay but don't mind paying the bit extra for their independence. I have a service package with DM Keith which includes the MOT's but I don't trust them to make up a whole of work to bump up their fee. This is after my last service with them whne they wanted to change the brake discs and pads because they were warped. There was a little pad build up on the disc that needed cleaning off, took me 5 mins to do and now zero braking vibrations which it didn't before I dropped the car off. They also wanted £195 plus fitting for an oil temp sensor that wasn't working and reported to them whilst in warranty but they couldn't get the car in until a few days after it expired. The reason behind the oil temp not working was because it was switched off. When I has my tow bar coded with VCDS it was switched back on. Skoda dealers have so far left a bad taste in my mouth so will do the majority of my maintenance myself from now except what I've already paid for. 

I soon lost faith in my dealership hence buying the S/H Passat. 

[Brian69]

First MOT was done at Henry's (Skoda dealer) - subsequent MOTs (two of them) at trusted VAG specialist (David Mylett in Thornliebank) as he doesn't 'upsell' like dealers - just a straightforward honest MOT - plus if anything needs done (e.g. new discs and pads) his rates are a lot less than main dealer.

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

Don't be under the illusion that it's only dealers who "upsell" work. regardless of how hard an indy pushes that they're nothing like a dealer and often better they pull exactly the same strings in the background regardless of what they say to your face.

[Brian69]

Of course some indies will 'upsell' but the one I use (and have been using for six years) doesn't - the owner is very much hands on.

[Stoofa]

Just had my 3rd MOT done yesterday. Halfords for £30. All passed, two advisories and that was it.

They are a separate company to the Halfords stores so there is no attempt to up-sell bits. I started a thread over on a couple of other forums and loads of people use them, especially as they sometimes run £15 & £20 MOT offers too.

I got an advisory on a fixed chip in the front windscreen (apparently fixed chips are always listed as advisory) and then one for scoring of the front off-side disc, but confirmed there was absolutely no reason to do anything about that right now.

 

You really don't need "specialist independents" and the like for an MOT. They don't just give the ability to complete an MOT to anybody and everybody and the penalties are harsh if garages are found passig vehicles that should have failed etc.

[Brian69]

I don't think anybody said you did.