I thought I would pass on a good money saving tip when it comes to getting your MOT done…

Martin Lewis, from Money Saving Expert recommends using a council run MOT test centre to obtain your MOT as they simply do the MOT as have no vested interest in profit making at your expense. The council MOT test centre will therefore not fail you to get more money out of you and will only bill you for your MOT; telling you exactly what is wrong with your car should it not pass the MOT. This gives you the knowledge and power to go to a few local garages and get quotes for the repairs that only need done in order to pass your MOT.

IMPORTANT

1. Council MOT test centre’s do not do repairs
2. If your car does fail the initial MOT at the council test centre, you will need to get another MOT done (once the required fixes have been done) in order to pass
3. You should only go for this option if your car is in moderate to good condition

Edinburgh based?

Details of the Edinburgh Council MOT Test Centre:

CEC Fleet Services, Gorgie, Russel Rd, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 337 2307

MOT cost = £54.85 (as at Sept, 2011)

Check the latest MOT test fees before booking.

The Edinburgh Council MOT Test Centre is not that easy to find! Please find below Google Map with two red squares indicating the entrance off Russell Road and actual MOT Test Centre in the industrial estate. Secondly, also find Google Street view of the entrance to the industrial estate off Russell Road.

Hope this helps.

CEC Fleet Services, Gorgie, Russel Rd, Edinburgh

Entrance to CEC Fleet Services

MOT tips from Martin Lewis:

Is your car in tip-top condition? If your car is almost definitely in perfect condition and you’d be surprised if it failed anything, then simply find a local garage with the lowest possible MOT test fee.

Is your car in moderate to good condition? If it’s likely or possible that minor repairs may be needed, local council run centres come into their own. As there’s no vested interest if anything fails, you can be 100% confident they’re only for your own safety; and then you can go and get them fixed. It does mean there’s a chance you’ll have to pay a retest fee though.

Is your car in poor condition? If you’re pretty sure your car is going to need a substantial number of repairs, then there’s a balance to be had. By going to a garage that does repairs you benefit from the convenience factor, and the fact there’s no retest fee, but by using a council MOT there’s a chance your car may fail on less points.

For more details check out Cheap MOTs from Martin Lewis.