Maintaining the health of your vehicle and keeping it road-worthy is a legal requirement, but when it comes to servicing and MOT’s, they can be somewhat of a grudge purchase.
It’s no surprise that some people are tempted to use garages with cheaper prices, but how can you be sure you’re receiving a quality service or an MOT that meets the necessary guidelines?
For those of us with little experience in vehicle maintenance and repair, it can be difficult to know what to look out for; so many end up paying more than necessary for parts or repairs that weren’t necessary in the first place.
For example, many MOT assessments are viewed as either being within a safe range or not, but if an assessment fails, a less reputable supplier may try to up-sell based on the following criteria:
· Can I make money from this?
· Can I justify the failure of this component? Is it a sufficiently grey area?
· Can I encourage the client to buy now rather than wait?
To save yourself some money in the long run, and ensure you’re receiving good quality service during your next MOT, it’s a good idea to look out for the following:
Authorised Examiner Certificate
To be able to setup an MOT Station, all garages should have an Authorised Examiner certificate.
It is illegal to offer MOT’s without one, so be sure to check. Those that are legally compliant will usually display the MOT symbol (three connected triangles against a blue background) somewhere within the vicinity of their premises.
Quality Control Checks
All MOT tests must be carried out by nominated testers approved to check vehicles by the DVSA. Their work should then be quality checked by the site’s authorised examiner.
This should involve the following:
· Inspection of routines and procedures
· Checking of testing standards
· Use of testing equipment
· Use of the VTS device (vehicle tracking system)
· Inspection of documentation
If you’re unsure if this has been done, simply ask your chosen garage who was the nominated tester and authorised examiner that looked at your vehicle.
MOT Test Certificate
At the end of an MOT test, the station should provide you with an MOT test certificate that details the date of your test, the date of expiry, and anything that may require attention in the future.
For reassurance, we would also suggest you speak with the mechanic directly about the process, to ensure that the key parts of your car have been inspected, including:
· Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
· Steering and suspension
· Brakes
· Tyres and wheels
· Seat belts
· Body and structure
· Exhaust pipe, fuel and emissions
Tivoli Auto Services
At Tivoli Auto Services, we are not the cheapest, nor are we the most expensive. Instead, we represent the best value in your local area.
Unlike cheaper garages, we never directly tell a client that something needs repairing if it is still functional and within the guidelines for passing an MOT. Instead, we value transparency and honesty, so we will always offer advice if a component is close to the limit, and allow you to make an informed decision.
If you have any questions or would like to book your next MOT with Tivoli, contact us today on 01424 44 22 77.
