MOT around Bath area

[samwilliams]

I need to get my Sylva Phoenix MOT'd, and was wondering whether anyone had any recommendations of places around Bath/Chippenham that know at least a little bit about kit cars? I don't particularly want to leave it with the people at KwikFit!

Sam

[steve_d]

Just find a small owner operated garage/tester. There is nothing on a kit that a decent mechanic will not understand. You will have to stay with it to show/operate the controls i.e. which switch does what. If your car is super low they may have issues getting it on the ramp but my garage mustered 4 mechanics who constructed timber additions to the slope of the ramp so I could drive on.

Take your V5 with you if it shows the emissions to be tested.
My Ultima went through last Sat. and the computer did not tell him what to test but he was happy to work to the 'Visual smoke only' statement at the bottom of the V5 sheet one.

It is unlikely your car is going to have rust issues so he will simply be looking for play in bearings, steering and suspension much of which he may recognise from a donor.

Steve

[Sam_68]

Stay with them, though, and make sure that when they jack the chassis (when they check for play in bearings & suspension joints), they locate the lifting pads under node points on the spaceframe (ie. where the tubes triangulate). If they are stupid enough to jack under the middle of a tube, it can bend the chassis.

[Chris.B]

Sam
Just saw your post. I and a few others from the local Westfield club have had MoT's at Combe Down Garage in Bath - cunningly located in Combe Down
They are very kit car friendly & knowledgeable. Just be aware if your car is VERY low (like my Westy) you'd be advised to bring a couple of 1" bits of wood to run the front wheels on to in order to give clearance for the jack.
HTH
Chris

[samwilliams]

Chris.B said:

Sam
Just saw your post. I and a few others from the local Westfield club have had MoT's at Combe Down Garage in Bath - cunningly located in Combe Down
They are very kit car friendly & knowledgeable. Just be aware if your car is VERY low (like my Westy) you'd be advised to bring a couple of 1" bits of wood to run the front wheels on to in order to give clearance for the jack.
HTH
Chris

That's great, thanks. Will give them a call tomorrow.

Sam

[phild]

I used Combe Down on Chris's reccomendation a couple of weeks ago and they were very fair, helpfull and happy to let me watch and follow the process. I would use them again even though they are a good 30 miles drive away, so a recomendation from me. I would stay with the car though as there isn't much parking and it can get a bit chaotic.

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers

Phil

[samwilliams]

Just thought I'd mention that my car had it's MOT and passed today. I didn't take it up myself (got my dad to do it - it was his first time driving the car!), but by all accounts they were really helpful. It failed on a couple of very minor points first time, which were then quickly sorted and retested.

So, for anyone else looking for a good place for MOTs around Bath, I'd thoroughly recommend them. The only problem now will be prising the car out my dad's hands!

Sam

[Chris.B]

My Westfield just passed its latest MoT at Combe Down garage today. VERY helpful & kit car friendly