Halfords Autocentre for an MOT

[kotafey]

Has anyone used one of the Halfords Autocentres to get an MOT done?

There is one near me, so it would be very convenient. Very cheap too. It's only for a Boxster, but I'm not sure if I trust them. Looking for reassurance or confirmation of my doubts. This is in central Cambridge, if that helps.

Thanks

K

[CoolC]

If you book through the website they are half price at Halfords. We've used then for the last 3 MOT's on the wife's shed/people carrier and they have always been honest and never tried to upsell. Up until now I've only ever payed for the MOTs.

To really screw the PH heads, the manager used to be the manager at one of the local KwikFits too.

I guess it's always down to the local branch, some will be better than others, luckily my local one is a good one.

[sundayjumper]

My local place used to be an independant, then became a Nationwide Autocentre, which was then bought by Halfords. It's been the same core staff the whole time though. I've used them in one guise or the other for all my cars for nearly six years now with no problems at all.

YMMV, obviously.

[Porkupine]

sundayjumper said:

YMMV, obviously.

And you still use them!

[tjlees]

Err ... I use Kwikfit for MOTs including for my Ariel Atom. Usually they do a special pricing at around £25-35 so it makes it cheap. Providing they put protective plastic covers over the seat and steering wheel (which they usually do) then its ok for me. You could stay for the 40 mins and watch them. Obviously do not go in with borderline tyres etc the idea of the cheap MoT is to get you on common faults they can quote you for. Usually passed my cars and only got me on the Ariel Atom wheel bearing which was definitely loose.

Only difference with my independent is he will automatically do minor failures (change bulbs etc) so to avoid having to come back for a re-test at another time.

[jackal]

Go to your local council run station. Non profit making and they cant do any work on the car. You will find youll pass a lot more ! Most other places are at it. Even my decatted 993 gets through.

[supermono]

Back in 2011 supermono said:

Don't do it. I ran the 207 round there last week for an MOT and their massive gorilla of a bloke nearly ripped the handbrake off before failing it on no reserve travel. It was working fine, new pads/discs all round. I went and adjusted it to one/two click action (it was like 6 previously out of about 15) and he still ripped it vertical then started getting all unprofessional when I tried explaining he was a moron (but nicely)

Straight to main dealer, their guy was amazed. He put it on the rollers and told me what I already knew, brakes spot on perfect in every way. I even found the same action on two of their brand new 207s. They've done the MOT today straight through.

So best give halfords auto centre west byfleet a miss. I'm taking it up with VOSA and the MD and repost anything of interest here.

SM

See here

SM

[Porkupine]

supermono said:

See here

SM

And did anything come of your quest with vosa etc?

[kotafey]

To be honest it's pretty much what I expected - depends on location. Unless I hear from someone who's used the Cambridge onespecifically I'll probably give them a miss, purely on the basis that they won't do it while you wait and I don't feel comfortable leaving it there for the day.

On a vaguely related subject, it's a real shame there is no Porsche Indy in Cambridge. I really think there's a gap in the market here! Apart from the OPC in Harston, the nearest Porsche specialist I know of is near Stansted, 30 miles away. Not ideal for having small work done.

Anyone who can recommend a decent garage around these parts, please fire away. Otherwise I guess I'll hit the yellow pages.

Thanks

K

[Actus Reus]

I presume the indy you're talking about is PSR? I'd say they were worth the trip myself - especially if you might need to go into London for the day as they're near the station (and would drop you off I'm sure).

As to Kwik-Fit MOTs, just received a mail in my spam folder, so thought I'd park it here just in case it's of use:

All you have to do is book in at kwik-fit.com and enter special offer code WDMOT1106 towards the end of the booking process. This will entitle you to a reduced MOT Test fee of £25 rather than the statutory fee of around £55 – a 55% saving!

[kotafey]

Actus Reus said:

I presume the indy you're talking about is PSR? I'd say they were worth the trip myself - especially if you might need to go into London for the day as they're near the station (and would drop you off I'm sure).

As to Kwik-Fit MOTs, just received a mail in my spam folder, so thought I'd park it here just in case it's of use:

All you have to do is book in at kwik-fit.com and enter special offer code WDMOT1106 towards the end of the booking process. This will entitle you to a reduced MOT Test fee of £25 rather than the statutory fee of around £55 – a 55% saving!

Yes, PSR. Used them recently to change two AC condensers and do a couple of other minor things and was happy with the service. They did indeed offer to drop me off at the station, but that didn't fit it with our plans at the time. They should open a branch in Cambridge

Re the Kwik-fit offer - that's even better than the Halfords one. I'll look into whether they'll do a 'while you wait' service.

Cheers

K

[Martian O]

kotafey said:

...On a vaguely related subject, it's a real shame there is no Porsche Indy in Cambridge. I really think there's a gap in the market here! Apart from the OPC in Harston, the nearest Porsche specialist I know of is near Stansted, 30 miles away. Not ideal for having small work done....

I'd stick with PSR although there is Barr-Tech in Cambridge.

[Paul O]

I used Halfords for my previous Ford Fiesta. No problems at all, but it was PACKED! They are very busy places, no doubt due to the price.

Didn't want to take my Porsche there though - no reasonable grounding for this whatsoever, I just preferred my local indi did it for an extra tenner.