MOT Standards

How do you know if it was right in the first place?

LOL.

Ding. Why did you take it there just out of interest?

Who is "they?"

Certainly sounds a bit dodgy... not that standards have officially dropped, but that they didn't do it as they should have.

I wonder if the DVLA would be interested in giving them a random inspection if they knew where it was... I know our local place had their tester suspended for a few months because he took shortcuts on their 'mystery customer' test....

My dad used to know the person who owned the place, but he's not there anymore, he died or something a few years ago. It's the only garage I've had work done at (new zorst and MOT's), other than a tyre place which was convienently opposite where I work when I had nails in a tyre.

Well, 'a' mechanic.

Oh bloody hell, you've only yourself to blame for a dodgy MOT then!

You think somewhere else would be better? I know of a few dodgy garages, but no good ones!

why the f*ck do people come on here & on the outside world moan about the way a mot they've just had was carried out, if your not happy with the way a test was done speak to the garage concerned or ask for an appeal form vt17, they have to furnish you with one, how did you know these weren't checked, I take it you viewed the test whilst it was being carried out ? but choose not to say anything at the end of it ! the temperature can be taken not just from the temp gauge, coolant pipes can be hot or the fan can cut in as for the revs most mechanics can judge a car revving at 2k with out using a rpm pick up.

I have customers watch me carrying out a test and ive also them viewed them not watching me, so they miss what im doing.

standards haven't dropped, in fact its bought us all in line " singing from the same song sheet " so to speak. I grant you its taking a little longer then normal to carry out a test, but the actual physical side of the test is no different, its just the collection of data that takes its time sometimes, but some of that is due to the fact that the customer doesn't bring his/her v5 log book to help with the collation of data.

Yes, and I had a confused/blank look when the mechanic asked me to drive the car out. He then told me that it had passed, because he could see that I was a little confused lol.

Why does my print out say that 'Temperature gauge checked'? Surely 'Temperature gauge checked' means that they checked the cars temperature guage?

The garage were in a hurry, they said that to me at the start.

To be fair, Peter, it doesn't take a lot to confuse you.

They usually use a temperature probe down the dipstick tube.

So? Your point being?

You don't know the first thing about car mechanics and you certainly wouldn't have any idea about carrying out an MOT test, so just be thankful you got a pass certificate and quit moaning.

I'm not a mechanic am I? I was paying these mechanics to do the job for me. They should do the job whether I know how to do it myself or not.

Dispite not being able to carry out a fully MOT myself, I do know some of the parts that should be tested, such as the lights. I could clearly see that some parts were not tested!

I suggest that the best thing for you to do is to get an independent test done. explain your concerns first and they will do it carefully. A local council run place is often the most impartial.

mrcheerful

A local council run *MOT centre*?

Yes.

Find one that _only_ does MOTs. There are some specialist stations about; in many areas the local council do it. These places have no vested interest in forcing unnecessary work upon you, and they have to keep above board because their only income is MOTs so they can't afford to lose their licence. So you get a completely fair test.

yep, many have them, not many people know about them, because they don't usually advertise.

mrcheerful

petermcmillan snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote on 20 Nov 2005 06:12:06 -0800:

I can guarantee that somewhere else would be better, since some garages actually perform proper MOTs.

OTOH, I'm still not entirely convinced that your view of what they checked actually matches reality, so perhaps you'd think the same of every garage.

BTW I've looked into council MOT stations (since I hadn't come across them before) and found a useful list on Radio 2 budgeting expert Martin Lewis's site:

nothing to do with DVLA. your find more info here

hmm interesting reading, so who do they think runs & administers the other * non * government testing stations then ? all testing stations are dealt with the same governing body

The message from "PC Paul" contains these words:

Yeah - Council Depots often have their own MOT station on site - and it's open to members of the public. Bus garages likewise. I like 'em 'cos they thorough, reasonable and will talk to you 'cos they're not usually in a hurry.