TEN TOP TIPS TO AVOID BEING RIPPED OFF AT YOUR MOT

Book into a an MOT centre that does not carry out repairs. Especially avoid fast fit centres where Managers are often paid bonuses for work carried out.

Let a male driver take the vehicle in to the MOT centre. Unfortunately some garage operators believe women are less knowledgeable about vehicle maintenance and will take advantage by creating unnecessary work.

We have thousands of female customers, many with excellent knowledge on vehicle maintenance too. A Haynes workshop manual is the best gift any motorist could have - Ladies or Gentlemen.It can save you a small fortune and if you do it yourself you know the job has been done right. Just follow the Haynes step-by-step instructions on virtually anything your vehicle fails the MOT on.

Plan your service to be done prior to the MOT - it improves the emissions results

Make sure the engine is warm when it goes in for the test. Rev engine just before parking up - especially important on diesels to expel gases to pass the emissions test.

Make sure the vehicle is clean - image can make a difference.

Wait while the vehicle goes in for the MOT - it allows less time for work to be created.

Leave a copy of this check list on the passenger seat - ticked where checked.

If work does need to be carried out don't be pushed in to having the repair done. Obtaining your own parts can save a small fortune.

Make sure the garage explains the failure items on the failure sheet .Often the descriptions can be vague - you don't want to replace the wrong item.

If you decide to let a garage carry out any work we suggest you mark the items to be replaced so you know the job has been done .A scam some mechanics play is to clean the outside of a part and tell the owner the part has been changed. Also if you are using top grade consumable products like fully synthetic oils and expensive fuel additives make sure you see them go in to your vehicle - otherwise you find the products are not used - at least not in your vehicle.

Finally, if you feel you need advice on parts descriptions, speak to one of our specialists parts advisors ideally Martin (our specialist for Kit cars, Clasic vehicles over 20 years old and Japanese Imports), Simon or Mark - they have a combined parts knowledge of more than 50 years! If you would like us to speak to your garage or mechanic on your behalf to ensure the correct parts are supplied then this is not a problem.