Audi dealer con artist

I started using the Guildford Borough Council MOT test place (they also do the Taxi testing) a number of years ago after having repeated failures (front suspension bushes twice in 3 MOTs) at a different garage on Slyfield estate. I haven't had a single failure since. Had advisory on front brake hoses worn/cracking and replaced before next MOT. Friendly chaps, and absolutely no motivation to fail unnecessarily. They don't discount the standard MOT charge, but I've probably saved hundreds through not having any failures (questionable or otherwise!). Highly recommended.

Thank you for pointing that out in your usual inimitable way Steve, but I was actually responding to the statement at the end of Mike P's post I think we should change to a system where where we just have testing stations with no affiliations to garages at all (just to clarify things just in case you missed that).

Now was there a problem there with my response to that statement - or does pedant apply in your case?

Good day to you

Cash

I know that.

I meant that it should be the *only* way cars can be MOTd, and that garages that can test should be banned - it works like that in plenty of other countries, so it should be here.

What you're saying is there are few in the garage trade who are honest. That's sad. But I'm afraid I agree with you.

Wouldn't it be better to follow the German model of making the test both independent and thorough? I've experienced rip-off MoTs in the UK and it is infuriating, not least because the smug gits laugh in your face over the matter.

If you do use a garage for MOTs, use one that doesn't discount. Garages (in the south anyway) breakeven or make a small loss on the MOT fee, so anyone who discounts it is using it as a way to drum up repair business. You can see where that might go...

Theo

When threads descend to the level of exchanging obscenities I wonder why they don't all just start with:

White is black - discuss. ;-)

That's not right or is it!

True story: My wife and I used to watch "Pot Black" on TV before colour TV came in.

One evening we went for a drink in a working mens' club with our neighbours, but could only find seats in the "games" room, where a snooker game was in progress.

There was a respectful hush in the room until my wife suddenly exclaimed: "Oh! They're all different colours"!

You watched with the sound off?

"and now the pink into the bottom left, screw back for a red and he will have to settle for the brown"

What did she think was going on?

In message , Peter Hill writes

She was probably concentrating on her knitting and not paying attention.

The most famous snooker gaffe was Ted Lowe's: "and for those of you who are watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green."