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Mot, are in reality just basics really.  Lights, indicators,  pads, discs brakes, window wipers, exhaust system, emissions. horn, window screens, mirrors,  tyres, brake fluids  any other fluids. corrosion, seatbelts. Doesn't sound much.Oh yes, the suspension.

Will garages do you think, will do an emissions test if you ask?

heath63

Thanks Bridgelayer,  thats sounds good to me, an emissions test.  Any problems, then it can be delt with.

Last year, I told a particular garage that the engine was running fast, (meaning idle) He said it sounded fine.   It cropped up in the MOT, same garage which said it was fine prior to the test.  very confusing. Still wasn't resolved, thats why it needs to be delt with.

That was the other thing about the service, all the air filters, plugs, oil, ect is changed, correctly filled.   Ready for MOT.

It is finding garages, mechanics to trust to do the work.  One of the reasons to do it seperatly.   There is a particular garage which I won't go to, as they tend to do unnecassary work.  Then keep the car for days on end. Grrrrr

One of the old bangers I had, I intended to scrap and get £50 for it.  Went to a garage just for a simple job to do, There was another problem with it, which I was aware off, but didn't put the  car indanger.

Mechanic checked the car, informed me about the existing problem, which he said needed doing,   When I refused the work to go ahead, as I told him, it's not worth doing because it was going to  scrap.

He nearly burst a blood vessel, because I over ruled him.  He refused to do the simple job, which I went in for.   In the end it didn't matter.  It was soo funny to see a grown man having a dicky fit.  lolol.   For another person, it could have been really intimidating.  Which is not so funny.

heath63

Quote: Originally posted by kerrera on 15/3/2013

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The MOT has to be done the same time each year, give or take. So does the tax. A service is flexible.an mot

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Well, I only do 7k a year mileage so that's well below the service requirements so she doesn't get a quite annual service. However, if something don't feel right, and no obvious reason I can deal with - modern cars being what they are - it's down to the blokes at the garage. 

My local garage is very good at giving one a heads up (more than the manufacturers) about potential issues. And they also say when I'd be best trying another website for parts as they're a bit tied into the system. recent savings include £140 on four brake pads; they will also not bitch if I get tyres etc elsewhere and £25 hour labour. - that's £150 cheaper than a make's dealership all of which are mainland based.

Having said that, I do get an interim mini-service (£60) that highligts any potential problems and if a recommendation comes up on the MOT I double check the situation and if necessary find funds to deal with it. My car is our family's lifeline; I also do not want to have something known about fail and cause an accident to us or others. \

Plus of course, I do regular checks of those things I'm allowed to do on my relatively modern car.

My cambelt and the others things which have to be replaced with it has now been done.  Replaced the fan belt without any extra charge.  excellent.  Cleaned something or other. 

He is going to do the cars service and Mot for me.   I am very happy.

heath63

I myself learnt about cambelts, was to google and ringing garages for the best price.

All the garages told me, they buy complete kits, thats the water pump, bearings and cambelts.  I googled this to cross reference to make sure. plus Honda Civic Forum.

The whole lot is replaced.  The garage should have told him about the cambelt at the  time, as it is a job lot.   Cambelts are dirt cheap to buy  in themselves.  The most expensive quote was under £300.  for the whole kit. 

I really do recommend to ring as many garages, even go for second opinions. and google.     

It is a big learning curve.   I had mine done cheaply, as the bloke does work on his days off, when not working in the garage.   He charges trade price. I got his name,from the guy who did my exhaust section. As he also does work for them.

 The other cheap quote was £170.  

A garage who rang me back quoted £250 , when I mentioned the car needed service +mot, my next quote was £200 job lot.   meaning the cambelt +kit, service + mot.

I didn't go with that garage, as in the past he keeps my car for days on end. He wasn't happy when I told him, that the car was already booked in with someone eles.  He laughed about something eles. Then goes on about he does diagnotic testing, which he does for free other wise it would cost £40.   Nahhhh!

So my Chappie is going to do my car service and see to the mot.   And through general chatting about cars, I told him I go camping, he says he goes to Anglesy to his caravan, he also has a campervan, which I spotted.  lol so got alot in common.

heath63

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Quote: Originally posted by Bridgelayer on 16/3/2013

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You can't beat having a pet mechanic.
My son's a mech for BMW and does mine for free - almost.
He's also a pretty good plumber. Now all I need is a pet builder.

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