To help motorists save the pennies when it comes to MOT test fees, the driving experts at Scrap Car Comparison have shared a hidden hack, which involves booking cheap MOTs at some of the nation’s hidden council test centres.
David Kottuan, Operations Manager at Scrap Car Comparison said, “Not many people know that lots of councils have their own MOT testing stations for their own vehicles, buses and vans – and by law these centres must also be open to the public.
“While these centres generally only carry out tests and not any subsequent checks, they often will charge a cheaper fee for tests than mainstream garages and test providers.
“Not only this but, due to the fact they will not benefit if your car has to undergo repair work unlike mainstream garages, council test centres can be trusted to be impartial when it comes to failing or passing your MOT test – which could also save you money in the long run.”
But you need to know of a hiccup to this handy hint, he added,“However, drivers should seriously consider whether their vehicle is likely to need major repairs before booking at a council test centre, because thanks to laws introduced in 2018, cars which receive a ‘dangerous’ fail are not able to be driven until they are fixed. This could mean that you’d end up having to pay additional fees to get your vehicle transported to a garage to get necessary repairs done, if it were to fail.
“To find your nearest council MOT centre, you can check your local council’s website – or contact your local council directly. You can also find a list of the UK’s council MOT test centres on the UK MOT website. Also keep in mind that under law, the current maximum price for an MOT for a car which can fit up to eight passengers is £54.85 – and so regardless of where you’re booking your MOT, you should not ever be charged more than this.”
