One MOT Station As Good As Another???

[beano500]

Got both the Eurobox and the TVR to do in the next couple of weeks. TVR first, so it's not a case of book in the TinCan and size them up when that gets done.

Last year I went down to Surrey, because they were the MOT station that was recommended by the Garage. Nice run out anyway....

Slightly apprehensive that the TVR will be "unappreciated" elsewhere. (It's not got sports cans or anything - just that they won't be able to open the door, won't take care, that sort of thing.)

Am I right to be worried, or should I just book up at some local place 'round here???

(Watford/Ricky - there must be a load of places in back streets round these parts!)

[james_chim]

Ron

If you fancied a run over to Reading i can recommend a very good MOT station, run by a chap who is very passionate about all things lairy and fast, i've had mine in there recently and so has my mate in his S2.

Give me an e-mail if you're interested.

Cheers

James

[Nuggs]

I think you should be selective. You need to go to a place that will treat your car with respect.

You also need to get one which understands the TVR handbrake mechanism, as IIRC, if tested in the 'normal' way, damage/wear can occur.

I also think it helps to have a 'sympathetic' garage, particualrly where emissions are concerned (ah, your car arrived rather warm, sir and passed the 'cold' start test with flying colours)...

Deffo wouldn't use any old Tom, Dick or Harry...

[jimothy]

Seeing as there have been a few threads/comments about valet/MOT etc people taking nice cars out for a spin, I'd personally take it to a TVR place where they are used to the car, will treat it right and won't think "Wow, nice car, lets take it for a spin".
Also, a TVR garage will know the little things like not reving it hard when cold.

[dougc]

There's a place in Welwyn Garden City which was recommended to me from the forum and I took the S there a few weeks back. Great chaps and really took care of the car going on and off the ramps etc. Took my tinbox there at the weekend too as they impressed so much the first time round.

Let me know if you want their details.

Edit - or you could run it down the M1 to Tower View and use their MoT people...

Edited by dougc on Monday 26th June 16:12

[jagdpanther]

Bloody hell, I dont own anything as precious or sensitive (my car is precious though) as a TVR and Im still very selective as to where I take her for repairs or MOT

find somewhere who knows their stuff and not someone who cant opperate the door so he fails it on inappropriate door handle issues or some other L.O.B.

[beano500]

Ah yes - 8 out of 10 owners said .....





I thought I was being just a bit too precious! But it will probably go back down to Surrey, although I do thank you all for your offers of recommendations!

[FUBAR]

beano500 said:

Ah yes - 8 out of 10 owners said .....





I thought I was being just a bit too precious! But it will probably go back down to Surrey, although I do thank you all for your offers of recommendations!

I take mine to Austec (south Surrey ). Book it in, deliver car to them, nip round the corner to the cafe for breakfast. By the time you've eaten your No 4 with chips they have taken it to their 'friendly' MOT place and brought it back again

Job's a goodun

[Nuggs]

Another vote for Austec.

Can't comment on the breakfastary, however.

[FUBAR]

Nuggs said:

Another vote for Austec.

Can't comment on the breakfastary, however.

Nuggsy, I know F all about mechanical stuff, but food, in particular a fine Full English, is my speciality

[Nuggs]

FUBAR said:

Nuggs said:

Another vote for Austec.

Can't comment on the breakfastary, however.

Nuggsy, I know F all about mechanical stuff, but food, in particular a fine Full English, is my speciality

It's an area where I'm always keen to expand my knowledge (and waistline)...

[darthPaddington]

I had this dilema recently as well.
However heing a lazy sod I'd left it too late to be fussey and was a little desperate. I needed a MOT NOW so had no choice really.

well i went through a couple of local places and booked it into the one that could do it soonest. the car passed with no problems or work.

I know it's easy to be a bit precious about our cars but when you get down to it they are high performance but not high complexity and a good mechanic will have less problems than with a modern whizzy box full of gadgets. After all you're not looking at having someone sugest the best performance tweaks, just check it's not about to break and doesn't kick out too much rubbish from the exhaust

I got lucky as I went through the yellow pages, but I also got an MOT and nothing needed doing. If you know a reasonable garage then they'll probably be fine

Peter

[Bob the Planner]

I use the local MOT station when it does not coincide with a service/repair and have done both cars in Poole and York. On both occasions the testers had been working for a number of years and I got a great reception with both the Chim and Tuscan as they were the first TVRs they had tested. On both occasions I waited whilst the car was processed in case there were any questions / to offer assistance and the testers could not have been more careful / considerate. The mechanics did not get much work done either as they wanted to quiz me about the car - not that I minded answering the questions and give an extra blip on the throttle as I left.

Support your local station is my view - you never know when you may be stuck for the odd bit/tool or two and you can always get somewhere close by.

[groucho]

I always use a local station for the MOT.

[bga]

I use a place in Battersea called Mike Grainger Auto's, they seem to know what they are talking about & always have some decent cars in there. When I had the chim done there was a Cobra & a 928 being tested so I think the car was in safe hands.
Passed with flying colours too - though I would have been gutted if it hadn't