M.O.T. is due in 3- weeks time. What to do?

[TopQ1967]

Hi,

I have an Exige 240 CUP.
MOT is due in 3- weeks time. There is no scheduled service needed.
What do you suggest, go to a Lotus dealer to carry out the MOT or a non- Lotus service shop?
I come from the mainland and like to carry out the MOT during a meeting in London.
How long will it normally take to carry out a MOT?
Do you have a suggestion ware I can leave my car (outside London) to carry out a MOT?
This has to be near a train / tube station as my meeting is in the old Nat West building (Bank Tube Station).

Cheers,

Q.

[miro]

Sinclares Romford... they are a specialist and near a train station

[bencollins]

AHHAAARRGGHHHHH, landlubber eh?

[Scuffers]

miro said:

Sinclares Romford... they are a specialist and near a train station

they are NOT an MOT test centre, they will only have to take it somewhere that is.

MOT test takes ~30-45mins, most places will do it whist you wait (if you book), or just leave it with them for the day.

if you look here: http://www.ukmot.com/
this seems to list just about all of them.

[bobalicious]

My Elise MOT is out-of-sync with servicing. I took it to Batt Brothers in Bethnal Green (about a mile from Tower 42) who have always had at least one 'interesting' car 'in' when i've been there (I tend to wait when my MOTs are done to see underneath etc). There are plenty of places that you could leave it if you wanted to drive near the edge of the City for your meetings if you wanted - I don't know anywhere on the fringes of town.

Remember that panels etc., are not removed during an MOT, so there isn't (really) that much to examine that you can't just check yourself before going to make sure it will pass. There are various lists available online of exactly what the MOT Test comprises if you've not already seen.

BTW - I always take my cars to places that -only- do MOTs as they have no interest in selling you replacement parts that you don't yet need, but will give you an honest opinion on the 'life' left of certain parts.

[Loudman]

Personally I just take it somewhere local cheap and cheerful for MOT, don't see why they have to have any lotus experience if there's nothing wrong with it, last one cost me about £30 and took an hour.

[Milks]

The only thing that put me off taking the elise to a regular test centre was knowing it needs to be lifted in a particular manor (four point lift?). I guess though anywhere with a pit or hydraulic lift would be fine?

[braddo]

If you're interested in using a MOT station in Clapham, south London (2 min walk from northern line tube, 20 mins straight to Bank), I can give you details of the one I've used for my Alfa. They're used to classics and stuff (a Porsche RSR was there last time...), have a pit and aren't overzealous in applying the rules.

Brad