MOT retest question

[Darren_Test]

Full MOT story is like this..

1. Booked for test online for Saturday - Failed due to 8.3.1a - front windscreen damage to an area in excess of 10mm circle within Zone -A. Also an advisory item. Said they don’t have windscreen repair, told will give a quote through a chain for windscreen repairs.

2. Called up MOT centre today morning to get quote through them from the chain, they asked me to talk directly to them Tried 3/4 different chains & took car to a local glass repair guys as well - all of them refused to repair as its in Zone -A and given quotes for new windscreen from £150 - £290, for the same item..!!. Finally tried my luck with Glas Weld (Glas Weld Systems (UK) Ltd - Official Site - Repair Don't Replace - Windscreen Repair), repaired with in 30 minutes with less than £50 and given guarantee to pass MOT & promised full refund if it fails in MOT..!! ( I have to say these guys are fantastic - recommended to any one looking for windscreen repair over their well advertised cousins..!!!)3. Gone straight back to MOT centre with out any prior booking, after a bit of reluctance they agreed to do the retest.

4. Retest finished in 10 minutes & given retest invoice just £2.50 less than the charge for the initial test.

5. Showed the guys the note on VT 30 (refusal MOT) saying - free partial retest if removed form test station & retested with in end of next working day. After some initial confusion & consolations they came back saying its up to MOT centre’s discretion & requested to pay.

6. Reached home; after checking many sites & after seeing Mr.Robin's message (thanks for that) & after calling VOSA, rang back to confirm it with MOT centre. Their story not changed.

Next step planned to give them another chance to correct it then to trading standards..

[Clippy]

Where did you go for the MOT?

Was it one of the large chains like Kwik Fit or a council run test centre.

[TimberWolf]

This is the kind of thing that puts me off MOTs. Having cars checked for road worthiness each year is a good thing, but in reality it's more a question of how much you will get ripped off this year. Once your car is in a garage the feeding frenzy can begin. If you've got away with only paying twice for an MOT I'd say you've done well, this year. They'll get you next year if you go back

I once asked a garage to do a MOT and a quick service and was presented with a bill for £500 and I'm sure stories like that could go on and on... MOT time is less to do with safety than to do with the yearly compulsory rip off avoidance. I might try one of those special test centres next time, assuming they aren't booked solid and are with a reasonable driving distance.

[Darren_Test]

Where did you go for the MOT?

Was it one of the large chains like Kwik Fit or a council run test centre.

local one..fearing rip off avoided cheaper large chains..no council one near me...

[eek]

local one..fearing rip off avoided cheaper large chains..no council one near me...

Was it cheap or full price (£54.85).

[SueEllen]

local one..fearing rip off avoided cheaper large chains..no council one near me...

Did you ask someone for a recommendation?

There are local ones and local ones you want to avoid.

[wim121]

I used to be in the motor trade many years ago and i was always led to beleive this was down to the discretion of the test center, no help for you now but you might want to ask the question next time or look for someone who offers free retests

Indeed!

Im a bit baffled by the OP. I ring around to get the best price every year. I can accept most people wont do this, but from experience of owning older cars, I always ask them "will you charge me a retest fee?".

I got my last car, MOT'd for £35 instead of £45 just by ringing a couple of places and haggling. I could get one for £28 or £30 but all three of those places stated they charge a retest fee.

It isnt uncommon, for testers to be more "strict" if they charge a retest fee, to find the smallest amount of play or worn bush.

[wim121]

Was it cheap or full price (£54.85).

Who would ever pay that?

[doodab]

The rules were changed in about 2006 or so i think.

[Darren_Test]

The rules were changed in about 2006 or so i think.

Yes..thats what this link says - change from 2006 to stop rip off..!!

01-09-06 MOT launch new re-test procedures

If the vehicle is brought back to the same Testing Station by the end of the next working day for one or more of the following items only, a partial re-examination is again required and this re-examination is also free: