How to Reduce Your MOT Costs: Tips for Savvy Car Owners | GVE London – Blog

The cost of an MOT for a car is capped at £54.85, give or take. Garages can charge less, but not more. That, in itself, isn’t the biggest hit to one’s pocket, considering the test only needs to be done annually. Without it, your car is technically not allowed to be driven on UK roads legally.

Admittedly, if you keep failing the test multiple times, the costs can eventually add up. That said, the real area where cost reduction is necessary is in fixing the issues your car might have—problems that must be resolved before the MOT test.

Tips For Car Owners To Help Reduce Mot Costs

Go By the Manual

When it comes to maintaining a vehicle, following the guidelines in the driver’s manual is perhaps the best way to keep your car in showroom condition throughout its useful life.

A common term used by savvy car owners is TLC or Tender Loving Care. A little bit of TLC throughout the year—such as basic checks on oil levels, windshield wiper condition, tyre treads, and more—can go a long way in preventing issues and saving you from potentially hefty repair bills.

Choose an Honest Garage

Alas, not all garages are created equal. If you drive a supercar or luxury vehicle, some garages might see it as an opportunity to profit by suggesting unnecessary repairs. Taking the time to research and find a trusted garage is absolutely worthwhile. Recommendations from friends or online reviews can be excellent ways to verify the credibility and authenticity of a garage.

Some garages also offer combined deals for servicing and MOT tests. Be on the lookout for these, especially from a trusted trade showroom.

Pre-Exam Checkup

Before you give an MOT exam, consider giving a mock first; many garages and online guides offer pre-MOT checks or mock tests. Preparing for it beforehand instead of winging it is a much smarter strategy. It is public information, the components of a car are inspected during the test so you can easily prepare for it. Ensuring that everything on this list is in working condition will guarantee you pass the exam.

In a nutshell, here is what an MOT covers:

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and Lights
• Steering and Suspension
• Engine and Emissions
• Tyres and Brakes
• Exhaust and Fuel System
• Battery and Electrical Systems
• Windscreen and Wipers

Purchasing Parts Online

Here’s a scenario: Your car fails to clear the MOT test. You then take it to your nearby garage, and they hand you a massive bill. Take note of everything that needs to be replaced and check for the same parts and their availability online.

Due to several business reasons, a component may cost you more offline than at an online store. Garages don’t mind installing the parts you bring them and will only charge you the labour costs. This can potentially save you several hundred pounds.

Now, do note that this can be a little tricky. Before ordering a part online, ensure you’re ordering the correct one from a trusted source.

This gets even more complicated if you’re dealing with high-end cars. In that situation, we recommend visiting a supercar service centre like GVE London instead. Since these high-end trade showrooms employ experts, they tend to use genuine parts from reliable sources and have the tools and expertise to handle the complex engineering of a supercar.

Keep Detailed Maintenance Records

Minor issues tend to snowball into something much more catastrophic. Whenever you take your car out for a service, maintain a service record for your car. This should include a detailed breakdown of what happened during the service, such as the replacement of a part, as well as any notes from the mechanic. These records help inspection officers identify what may potentially need to be repaired beforehand.

These records are highly valuable in keeping your vehicle in mint condition and serve as evidence that your car has indeed been maintained well, potentially boosting its price in the used-car market.

Consider Subjectivity

To say subjectivity does not play a role wouldn’t be accurate. Despite the MOT test being an objective one, those performing it can have their subjective biases creep in. For example, the extent of wear and tear, corrosion levels, environmental damage caused by the vehicle, or the condition of tyres and brakes could vary from one individual to another.

In case your car fails the MOT test, consider taking it to another garage or a council-operated MOT centre. Since they don’t earn any profits from this test, there is no reason for them to be selfishly motivated, and they will be completely impartial.

Also, a clean car is a universal indicator of a car that is well-maintained. It may sound silly, but it can make a difference. No need for a full supercar showroom shine—a basic wash and vacuum will do the job.

Conclusion

Reducing your MOT costs isn’t rocket science. With regular servicing and maintenance, smart choices, and a little effort, you can keep your car roadworthy without breaking the bank. Whether you own a practical family car or a screamer from a supercar showroom, these tips will help you keep MOT costs to a minimum and have your car well-maintained as a result. To keep your car in the best possible condition, visit GVE London. From supercar servicing to detailing, wrapping, and PPF we can take care of both the aesthetics and internal functioning of your car.