Independant MOT

[nmh]

Evening,

Just a quick question here. Would it be sensible to have an MOT done by an independant service centre? I'm considering having mine done at the local Nationwide Autocentre.
Was wondering whether anyone on here has taken their Elise to an independant as opposed to a Lotus dealer?

Cheers.

NMH

[sp60]

Interesting question.
I would take mine to the local garage...mainly because it's just a one man band and he's an old reliable type.
Any place with younger apprentices or part timers I would not trust TBH.
Ok I'm cynical and untrusting...but I've had too many 'that thing is fast' conversations with garage employees in the past when picking up my various cars!

[jondude]

Yep, may well be too cynical but I would rather pay the extra £15 and take it to a Lotus specialist....where you can be pretty sure 1) they know how to jack it up correctly and 2) they will have no desire to blast it around the back streets.

I don't think I have ever seen Jags or top range Mercs at 'discount' centres...and a Lotus Elise to an apprentice or young, underpaid staff is as tempting as handing over a Ferrari.....

As I said, it only costs about £15-20 more if charged the full fee at a specialist dealer/testing station.

Just for the lower blood pressure, it HAS to be worth it!

[bogie]

I take mine to a specialist - mainly from the hassle factor if it needs something simple they can do there and then, then re-test for you same day ...like pads/discs/adjust a brake light switch etc etc

[s works]

bogie said:

I take mine to a specialist - mainly from the hassle factor if it needs something simple they can do there and then, then re-test for you same day ...like pads/discs/adjust a brake light switch etc etc

Same here. Cost if all OK will be the same.

[Trunkie]

I used to take my old car to a local specialist. The owner is an Elise driver and they used to let me in the workshop while they did the test. I helped jacking the car and they actualy used to ask me to do the brake tests on the rollers as their tester couldn't get in the car.