Free Mots

[malagabob]

Halfords are giving free MOTs , with any purchase. They have had this promotion before. Anyone used it. Do you think the nominated test centres will fail an otherwise non fail car to boost profit.

[douglas9401]

One might be better at a proper garage rather than an accessory and cycle specialist.

[THECORBYLOON]

Are their autocentres not "proper" garages?

[Buenchico]

To be fair, Douglas, Halford's AutoCentres are 'proper garages'. They're often located nowhere near a Halford's retail store (and thus have entirely separate managements) and all of their staff are just as well-trained or experienced as, say, those at KwikFit are.

Much as my cynical nature would also get me wondering what the catch was in their offer, I can't see that they're any more likely to try to boost business by failing a 'borderline' car than many independent garages might be. After all, a mechanic at an Halford's won't have his pay directly connected to how much money the firm takes, so he couldn't care less about whether or not a car is passed or failed. An independent guy though might be tempted to fail a 'borderline' vehicle because he can then make more money for himself through fixing it.

[douglas9401]

In my experience their accessory and cycle centres are not proper accessory and cycle centres, giving help and advice to customers needing the same.

I see no reason for their autocentres to be any different.

Think Currys/PCWorld for cars.

[Buenchico]

I wouldn't rush to use Halford's either, Douglas.

Independent auto parts shops are generally far cheaper than Halford's and my local independent garage is almost certainly cheaper than their AutoCentres are.

[Buenchico]

>>> Think Currys/PCWorld for cars.

I'd rather not think about Currys/PC World for anything, Douglas!

;-)

[gingejbee]

In the past, when I've needed an MOT, I've always used my nearest f1 autocentre. Half-price (or better) MOTs and never had a failure, or unneccesary work suggested. On one occasion, they actually fixed a fault (jammed rear seatbelt) to pass the car...and never charged for the work.

[barry1010]

I had the free MOT, they passed the car no problem and they've done the same ever since. Never tried to upsell me anything either, no teeth sucking

[bednobs]

i always get mine done there - no problem

[brainiac]

Last October, with my MoT coming up, I used Tyres On The Drive (part of Halfords) to come to my house and replace all four tyres on my Saab. A friendly, professional bloke arrived on time, finished within an hour, and all for the same price or cheaper than the quotes I'd got for taking it in to a garage.

That good experience - I wrote a recommendation on their website - has left me well-disposed to Halfords, and I think I'd use this offer were I in need of an MoT.

[playersdigger]

I haven't seen this offer,sounds good. I don't think any registered testing station would wrongly fail anything ?

[bhg481]

I used the offer last time (2 years ago) and have shopped there and got my voucher for my next free MoT. I've used Autocentre for every MoT but one on my car (this will be the 11th) and every one has been a pass, so no false failures to generate work for them.

[Hymie]

Just saying – many years ago I lived not too far from a haulage firm who MOT’d their own vehicles and the spare capacity used to MOT for Joe Public. The garage had no facility to offer any repairs (other than wiper blades and light bulbs).

In talking to one of the MOT testers, he admitted to me that at the previous garage where he worked he was paid commission for the work the garage got from failed MOTs.
Whether your car passes or fails an MOT should have no bearing on how much the tester is paid – but that’s not how it works at some garages.

[camioneur]

@ Hymie
Haulage companies have never been able to MoT their own trucks or anyone else's. Their premises can be use by an authorised MoT tester if the premises have been authorised but the MoT tester would still work for Vosa wherever they tested the vehicles. It wouldn't be same for cars as the testers work for the garage not Vosa.

[Zacs-Master]

‘ and all of their staff are just as well-trained or experienced as, say, those at KwikFit are.’

Oh, well, that’s fine then!

[barry1010]

cami is right, when I lived by a DVSA centre (as they are called now) I could get my car MOT'd there but I had to book weeks in advance as their priority was HGVs etc. Everyone called it 'the ministry test centre' but the DVSA is still a good place to get your car MOTd as they don't do repairs.

[barry1010]

All MOT testers are qualified and authorised by DVSA and are retested every year. Not many testers want to risk the disciplinary process which can result in them losing their licence to carry out MOTs. The garage owners certainly don't want to be stripped of their MOT status https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/tackling-mot-fraud-protecting-us-from-unsafe-drivers-and-vehicles/

[davebro]

I've been using National Tyres for the past few years. Usually 1/2 price MoT & no dodgy fails. Offers on all sorts of other items - and their tyres were cheaper than Black Circles for the same tyre.