Don't you always hate when it comes time to take your car in for its MOT each year? Everyone seems to dread their upcoming vehicle test more and more - an extra bill just isn't something that any of us really want to face at any time. And of course there is always the thought that MOT test centres want to make some extra money by preying on inexperienced vehicle owners. It's always a worry that they may tell you about an outlandish amount of issues that may not actually be there.
Thankfully there are certain limits to what MOT test centres can charge you for the simple test. This way even if you are certain that you will be faced with a high MOT bill, you know that it will not be able to go over a certain amount. Neither council test centres nor private garages are allowed to charge you whatever they want for carrying out the test itself. There is a maximum price that has been set by the government, and there are many garages out there that may offer the test at a discounted price. They will typically provide you with this discounted service in the hope that you come back to them for your repair needs.
At the time of writing, the maximum price that can be set by test centres for a vehicle that carries up to eight passengers is ?54.85. You should not be charged more than that no matter what type of garage you choose or which of the MOT test centres you plan to go to. You can get in contact with your local council or contact one of the garages near you if you would like to ensure that this maximum set price is still correct.
Since you are now aware of the maximum amount that MOT test centres can charge, you will need to decide whether you'd like to use a local garage or a well-known, branded chain test centre. With the maximum price set in stone, you can be sure that each of these test centres will charge you fairly for the test itself.
As previously mentioned, garages may charge those seeking a MOT test less because they trust that you will use them for any repair work that needs to be carried out. These garages will typically have the tools in place to carry out a wide range of repairs, so that any issues that crop up during your test can be fixed quickly on the premises. Some garages will also offer car servicing 'packages' that check and/or fix common problems not covered by the test itself - this is an ideal way to keep your car in great working order for less.
Some MOT test centres do not do any types of repairs right there at the centre, and therefore they will not make any extra profit by repairing your car later on. These types of garages will typically not offer you a discounted price since that will be all the funds they are guaranteed to receive.
There are regulations in place to ensure that mot test centres do not overcharge you for your vehicle test. This guide gives the maximum test charge, as well as hints and tips to help people get a cheap MOT certificate.