Why isn’t the cost of the MOT always the same? Two years ago it cost me fifty odd pound at a main dealership, not Mazda. Last week it cost me £30.00 at an Independent garage
The same reason anything is priced different. Why do you think the MOT should be any different?
Official current max.cost is £54.85 but testing stations are free to charge anything up to this level … possibly in the hope that a discounted fee will attract more tests and therefore hopefully more repair work .
Spot on. Speculative “loss-leader”.
Simples.
My ND yesterday, main dealer, last service under 3 year service plan, first MOT (not included therein) £54.84 - 1p under the max! Says it all really!
I used to pay £30 at a certain garage until I fell out with them over the fitting of some brake pads when I owned a Vauxhall, other stuff came to light too not done correctly
Since owning my MX-5’s I’ve always used another garage more local for MOT’s, it costs more for the MOT @£54. That garage are willing to down tools and sort you out on the spot as happened to me this week with my daily driver and save me a packet in diagnostics if I went via a SEAT dealer, so it’s horses for courses so to say.
My local MOT place don’t do any repair work and charge £35. I’ve used them for years and they are very fair.
ATS online are £29.99.
I used to make especially sure that tyres, exhaust and brakes good and take car away to do anything else required for the free retest.
As a Mole Valley Farmers member the ATS charge is further reduced to £24.95.
The problem will be if major faults are discovered as with the new MOT rules a possibility that ATS could not repair and I would not be allowed to drive away - a real nuisance as ATS 5 miles from home.
Had mine MoT’d at Guildford Mazda yesterday. £54.85. Guess they reckon Mazda owners don’t deserve a discount. To be fair, I have had an MoT done there cheaper but that was because they once failed to add me on to the booking system and I ended up wasting a journey there only to be told I wasn’t booked in (despite getting a a confirmation email and text). Got a £20 discount for the inconvenience. Thereafter, full price every time…
As has been stated, there is a maximum charge for an MOT but i don’t think there is a minimum. For me it’s not so much about the cost but more about using someone i trust to do a “fair” MOT, I know of garages that offer free retests and/or half price tests but make their money on the resultant failure work.
My local garage, down the lane from me, charges £47. I always wait and help with the lights, wipers etc and have a look underneath the car when it’s on he lift. We have a chat about local matters. I maintain and carry out most mechanical repairs myself so this is the only time he sees the MX5. The cost is irrelevant. It is the service I get and comments that are priceless. He does all our cars and is fair.
My local independent garage normally charges the full MOT price but I always ask for a discount. They reduce the price by £11 which although isn’t much helps. Both my cars are serviced and MOT’d at the same time. It’s therefore always worth asking for a discount even if the saving is only small, particularly if you are happy with the overall service you get.
Our local independent garage does MoTs for £44.10 and I take all our cars there, including our 1959 Morris Traveller (no, I know I don’t, but it gives peace of mind).
The Mazda dealer we use does them for £39 and we went there a couple times when we first had the MX5, but by the time you add time and petrol costs it is cheaper and more convenient to take it down the road.
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My local independent garage normally charges the full MOT price but I always ask for a discount. They reduce the price by £11 which although isn’t much helps.
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To be fair that’s a 20% discount.
Oh stop whingeing man!
Have a Penny Chew!
There now.
Bless.
LOL Scottishfiver - I seem to remember that black jacks and fruit salads were 1/2p each back in the day, well my day anyway(early 70’s)
They are still available - here you go Countryboy…
Ooooh!
I might be on them quicker than a freezing tramp over curried sauce chips!
^^^ I always pinch them off the grandkids, my favourite.
Halfords were about £30, no problems and no strange surprises. On that basis why would anyone go to the main dealers to be charged a further £25?