TV advice
2 July 2009 GMTV money expert Martin Lewis says motorists could slash their costs by using council-run MOT centres.
The television presenter appeared on the morning TV show today (Thursday 2nd Ju
/>“Council MOT centres don’t do repairs, so there’s certainty there won’t be any more fails than is necessary,” he told view
/>“Yet they’re not for everyone, the choice depends on how likely and how severe the repairs your car will need
/>“If your car is likely to be flawless, just go for whoever offers the cheapest test. If it’s border line, council run MOT centres may mean less fails. If it’s an old banger, then get it done at the garage who’ll give best value for repairs,” added Mar
/>Although most council MOT stations are used for testing council vehicles (buses, ambulances and commercial vehicles), by law they must be open to the general pub
/>“As they only carry out tests, and not repairs, there’s no incentive for mechanics to find faults that don’t exist,” said Mar
/>“Of course this doesn’t mean all other garages and test centres are bad guys,” he added. “Just that if you’ve never found one you’re happy with, this way you know there’s no vested interest.