MOT Testing Halifax-Why You Should NOT GO To Your Local Council-They are closing them down anyway?

MOT Testing Halifax

 Latest update is that The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency ( VOSA ) has closed. It’s been replaced by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA ).

MOT Testing Why You Should avoid Your Local Council

So, I have now been the owner of my garage, Pellon tyre and Autocentre has now been operating for over 40 years. As a result I have tried to build up a reputation that is second to none. Over the years we have built up a fantastic reputation and trust.

Because, we have always been straight and honest with our customers. Hence, I personally have been the owner of this garage here in Halifax. For the past 25 years. In that time we have carried out thousands of MOT tests. Of course, we have always used our best discretion. Carrying out MOT Testing. Having always had the customer’s best interest to heart.

Over the years we have only had one small dispute with a customer. Subsequently, that was the fault of our tester at the time. Replacing him as soon as we could. Thus, at the moment we only have two testers. Ryan Linton, who in my opinion is a first class mechanic. Naturally, a person and has worked for me for 22 years. We now have a second tester Mr Dale Linton.

The point that I am getting at is the massive effort that we at Pellon have put into our garage and MOT testing service,

This was in my opinion undermined. So, when I heard a guy been interviewed on radio 2. This presenter was from a website telling us how we can save money. Advising the listeners to go to the  Local Councils. Thus, for their car MOT testing. Because if they went there. Then they would not be taken for a ride or ripped off. Consequently, he was basically saying that we MOT Centres Vehicle Testing Stations. So that carry out MOT testing fail the cars intentionally. In order to give themselves the work repairing the car.

This could not be further from the truth. VOSA DVLA MOT Testing Rules statistics. Show that privately owned testing stations. As a result, are more likely to pass the car than fail the car. The money website claims that the local council run testing stations. Therefore, are more likely to pass your car than a private garage. Such as the  likes of my own garage in Halifax. So what they are saying is we are corrupt. By failing cars just to get the mechanical work.

Local Council want private MOT Testing stations to test taxis?

Other things that I am not happy with are the good reviews that they say they have had from customers of the local council testing stations. One says that they fitted a light bulb and then they passed the car, the council test stations do not do any mechanical work whatsoever, so this was a porky.

Another one stated that his car had failed at a private garage and the car needed £400 spending on it to pass the test, so the guy took his car to the council test station and they passed his without any problems. I frankly do not believe what they say, I agree that we are not all squeaky clean in the garage trade but we are well regulated by VOSA and if the figures for different failures do not look right ,then VOSA will give you a visit and try see whats going on.

Council testing stations used to charge the full going rate for MOT Testing,

But I rang round today and found out that they have now started to discount the tests, I think that they are under pressure to do more testing from the cash strapped councils. In fact we did get a notification asking us if we would like to carry out testing on behalf of the council, but I declined the offer as we are busy enough anyway.

Another problem with the local council test stations is that if your car fails, then you then have to go to a garage for the work carrying out and then they have to go back to the council for a re- test. This is a long way round when a private garage will in most cases would have done the work on the car the same day, saving the customer time and money.

MOT testing station owner Eric Roberts

There is no evidence at all to back up the Money websites claims. Fundamentally, there are no statistics from VOSA that MOT Testing stations that carry out repair work. So,  fail more cars than council run MOT testing stations. It is really clear that going to a MOT only testing stations. Such as the council run operations. Is likely to incur considerable more cost and personnel inconvenience. Especially if the car fails on a minor fault, such as a light bulb and has to make another appointment for a re-test.

VOSA the government department in charge of MOT testing. Importantly, are always watching out for garages. With bad practices and make regular visits to offending garages. MOT garages are also given colour codes that relate to their testing standard. Green is the best, then Amber, and the worse standard is Red. So, these are the ones that the ministry keep a careful eye on. It is worth finding out what standard the testing station is, before you book your car in. I am proud to say that we at Pellon Autocentre are in the best lane, the Green lane.

MOT testing station

Pellon Tyre and Autocentre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. 

Comment from Jim McMasters –

As the owner of an older car I have been tempted to use the Council test stations. This year I had two MOT tests by two different independent garages. Garage No 1 failed the car on rear brake pipes and front and rear brake hoses with both front suspension bushes advisory – cost of repairs £344 inc MOT.

Garage No 2 failed the car on front and rear brake pipes and the suspension bushes and said the brake hoses were advisory with mild corrosion on the ferrules and discoloration of rear indicator bulbs which had been replaced by Garage No1 the year before – cost of repairs £601 inc MOT.

The only thing that puts me off using the Council testing stations is that if you fail you then have to fend around for someone to fix the car within the retest period which takes time and I’ve found some garages don’t want to do brake pipe jobs if they are busy with bolt on type repairs. So I think you make a fair point in favour of the independent garage for practical purposes but as my example shows, there is a lack of consistency with garages both in testing and pricing.