Heads Up: Discount MOT Tests

[st13phil]

Just booked both our cars in for service, warranty work and MOT's at MB Oxford, part of the Inchcape Group.

It used to be that they discounted MOT's to Service Care Plan customers but only if the MOT was carried out at the same time as a service. However, as a result of many services and MOT tests being delayed during the lockdowns and now being out of sync, they now offer the discount whenever the MOT test is carried out as long as there's a Service Care Plan active on the car. So £40.55 instead of £54.85. Not a massive discount, but worth having.

Not sure if this policy is limited to Inchcape Group, or whether it's an MB initiative to promote Service Care Plans.

 

[mioba]

Probably an initiative to find problems and fail you and thus upsell.

 

[st13phil]

Probably an initiative to find problems and fail you and thus upsell.

You cynic, you

Seriously, I've never had multiple MOT tests carried out at that dealership without issue.

 

[190]

Probably an initiative to find problems and fail you and thus upsell.

I suspect the only MOT stations that don't look for opportunities are the ones that exclusively do MOT's only and I don't think they discount below the £54.

I used a back street garage sort of place for 20 years for my car MOT's until it changed hands and no longer gave me the same feeling of trust. For the last 6 years I've been using Kwik fit and never felt they were unreasonably trying it on in the way of looking for work. In 2 out of the 6 years they have got some work but nothing that didn't genuinely need doing. Last year I got an advisory on front disks and sure enough, when I measured them they were very close to the limit so it was a good call. I put on new disks and it passed it's MOT just this week for £35 with an advisory this time on rear brake pads getting worn. I already knew they were down to approx. 4-5 mm but also knew they couldn't fail it on that as the legal limit is 1.5 mm. Were they trying it on raising an advisory at 4-5 mm. I don't think so as nobody in their right mind would run them down to 1.5 mm. I will replace the rear pads done soon.

Why didn't I replace the rear pads at the same time as the front discs and pads ?

Because I put on coated front disks and the brake performance is rubbish until the coating is completely worn off. Changing one thing at a time seemed a good move on something as important as brakes.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I suspect the only MOT stations that don't look for opportunities are the ones that exclusively do MOT's only and I don't think they discount below the £54.

I use the main dealer for cars under warranty and a council test centre for all the rest. They only do MOTs - no repairs - and mostly for council vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles. They only charge £37 and it’s completely impartial, and so when they find something you know there’s no incentive for the tester and test station.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Just booked both our cars in for service, warranty work and MOT's at MB Oxford, part of the Inchcape Group.

It used to be that they discounted MOT's to Service Care Plan customers but only if the MOT was carried out at the same time as a service. However, as a result of many services and MOT tests being delayed during the lockdowns and now being out of sync, they now offer the discount whenever the MOT test is carried out as long as there's a Service Care Plan active on the car. So £40.55 instead of £54.85. Not a massive discount, but worth having.

Not sure if this policy is limited to Inchcape Group, or whether it's an MB initiative to promote Service Care Plans.

Good to know. My car is at the main dealer and it looks like it will be with them for a while longer, so I asked them to MOT it early. They said they would do it for £35, but not sure whether that’s because I use them a lot, or because I have a service care plan. It could be what you suggested. It’s an LSH dealership.

 

[mioba]

You cynic, you

Seriously, I've never had multiple MOT tests carried out at that dealership without issue.

Had my W220 fail on yellowed headlamps at dealers (mot was same as service time, usually use another place for MOT). Anyway, Sir you need new headlamps. We are happy to supply and fit for 2300. No way ho zay. Took car to my usual place - WTF they said, retest and it passed.

 

[Rory]

Been a few years but Inchape's MB Chester only ever charged me £35 and gave me a free courtesy car. I got out of sync with services so the MOT was done on its own.

Did my car up to 10yrs old and never had more than trivial advisories. They had an MOT "guarantee" so I was always pretty sure they wouldn't fail it.

 

[anglaslt]

F1 Autocentres giving 40% discount on MOTs booked before 5pm Sunday 24th. It's possible to book well in advance if needed.

 

[Scooby_Doo]

My local MB dealer charges about £54 for an MOT but gives a credit note for the same amount which can be used against parts or servicing . Last year had my new wipers for free. OK, I could get the wipers cheaper but all in all not a bad deal.

 

[BTB 500]

The Sandown group dealerships (MB Basingstoke, Dorchester, Epsom, Farnborough, Guildford, Hindhead, Newbury, Poole & Salisbury) do £30 MOTs for all MBs from 6 years old, then £20 from 9 years old. I used MB Guildford for many years and never had any issues with them touting for work. These cheap MOTs aren't linked to servicing either.

Platinum Programme Offer | Mercedes-Benz & Smart Car Offers From Sandown

Take a look at the platinum programme offer at Sandown. Filter the offers online until you find the right car for you.

www.sandown-group.co.uk

 

[chic0821]

Used Main dealer once, never again. Not Mercedes, but Land Rover. My Range Rover Sport was on a five year service plan from new. Year 3, put it in for a service & asked them to do first MOT. Car had done around 5000miles & garaged. Phone call, its passed, but advisory on rear brakes, need new discs, £900 please. I said if it needs new discs at that mileage they are not fit for purpose so should be done under warranty. No, sorry, will we go ahead?. Leave it I said. I then took it to a very well respected indy who had a look & said nothing wrong with them. Lesson learned, never use the main dealer for an Mot.

 

[Jibbajabba]

My local MB dealer charges about £54 for an MOT but gives a credit note for the same amount which can be used against parts or servicing . Last year had my new wipers for free. OK, I could get the wipers cheaper but all in all not a bad deal.

lol dealer supplied blades are a joke. I think MB charged me like 47 quid for my e63s - just for the front. And 39 or so for the single rear. I nearly fainted.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

lol dealer supplied blades are a joke. I think MB charged me like 47 quid for my e63s - just for the front. And 39 or so for the single rear. I nearly fainted.

I bought new wipers for a few of our cars in one order from Mercedes-Benz of Edinburgh - they’re already competitive and I received an additional discount because of the size of the order, and the smallest pair I bought were £102.60 after discount!

 

[Chrishazle]

I've used F1 Autocentres for the past couple of years for both cars. For starters, online they will not be beaten on price, so have not paid more than £30 for an MoT. They're more convenient to me than ATS I used to use, plus they've not so far tried to suggest any extra work.

 

[DSM10000]

lol dealer supplied blades are a joke. I think MB charged me like 47 quid for my e63s - just for the front. And 39 or so for the single rear. I nearly fainted.

But you agreed to it anyway?

 

[Jibbajabba]

I've used F1 Autocentres for the past couple of years for both cars. For starters, online they will not be beaten on price, so have not paid more than £30 for an MoT. They're more convenient to me than ATS I used to use, plus they've not so far tried to suggest any extra work.

Used F1 for the first time for new tyres (only place able to deliver PS4S MO1s) and they seem solid.

 

[Jibbajabba]

But you agreed to it anyway?

Well I dropped off car for a service and asked for blades to be replaced. Ignorant me never imagined stupid price. It’s actually worse and matches what @Bobby Dazzler said price wise. The almost 50 quid was PER BLADE. Half of it is probably for the Mercedes star on the blade rather than saying Bosch lol

 

[David44]

Well I dropped off car for a service and asked for blades to be replaced. Ignorant me never imagined stupid price. It’s actually worse and matches what @Bobby Dazzler said price wise. The almost 50 quid was PER BLADE. Half of it is probably for the Mercedes star on the blade rather than saying Bosch lol

Do you have the "Magic Vision" wiper system?

 

[ToeKnee]

Do you have the "Magic Vision" wiper system?

I do